System and data management encompasses a broad range of activities needed to deploy and maintain server-based application platforms and appliances. When combined, system management and data management include all the actions to keep a system functioning – from a single platform to its connectivity to the global network.
Resource management system
System management involves maintaining and monitoring all hardware components, the OS and the application software over its entire lifecycle. This includes delivering updates and upgrades, as well as maintaining security and monitoring usage. According to DAMA International, the professional organization for those in the data management profession, “Data Resource Management is the development and execution of architectures, policies, practices and procedures that properly manage the full data lifecycle needs of an enterprise.”
A variety of options
For software developers and OEMs in the storage, security and communications markets trying to deploy their products the demands of system and data management are daunting. Managing integrating physical, virtual or cloud deployments (or some combination of the three) requires expertise often beyond the skill sets of many ISVs.
Resource requirements
Similarly, managing the rollout of updates and upgrades to all of these systems requires administration resources. Depending on the enterprise and its complexity, protecting against security breaches, maintaining hardware and monitoring software functionality can detract from the core competency of the business.
Specialized appliances
Backup and recovery forms an essential component of any data mangement plan. Increasingly, purpose-built backup appliances (PBBA) are being deployed to handle the tasks. According to an IDC report, the PBBA market has “experienced explosive growth” as result of adoption for “backup, recovery, and storage optimization with the use of data duplication.” PBBAs provide faster restore and recovery times compared to tape-based backup and recovery processes.
A need for expertise
What many developers and OEMs in these markets need is a partner with the requisite knowledge and capability to assist in manageing their systems and data throughout the lifecycle of their products. Having such a partner would enable them to focus on their core competencies where they can be most competative.
A partner to help
NEI provides that kind of partnership. From designing and building frame-level rack-mount designs for OEMs to lifecycle management of software for ISVs, a partnership with NEI provides the system and data management services many enterprises need to allow them to focus on their core business. For more information contact NEI.