With the rapid rate of change in the IT space there can be many unforeseen trouble spots but there are also opportunities. The push to the cloud continues to gain momentum and that trend is not likely to end any time soon. In fact, it is most likely that some version of the cloud will be part of most IT infrastructures for a long time to come. We recognize this and help our customers take full advantage of these opportunities.

At Big Data Supply, Inc. we do a lot of different things and among them is cloud services. Where we are unique is our deep experience in the IBM space. Our history of implementing and supporting IBM Power Systems gives our customers a unique advantage when moving to the cloud. We work with IBM iSeries, AS/400, AS/400 running i5OS, AIX and Linux.

Working with these systems over time gives us a greater understanding of the environments that translate into an easier transition to the cloud for our customers. We host our own IBM cloud instance. As noted on our IBM cloud hosting section of our site:

The core resources are delivered using an IBM PureFlex Chassis and iSeries Nodes with IBM Storewize SANs for backend storage. This powerful combination provides the flexibility needed in a cloud environment for IBM i systems and the ability to quickly provision resources at an affordable price.

Cloud Credits

So while this is a great story to tell, it actually gets better.

Another important aspect of our business is regarding used IT assets. We purchase used IT equipement that is being replaced by companies, including hard drives, data tapes, servers, tape drives, and more. Many customers have found that the convenience of the service saves them time and money. In addition, they recoup some of the cost of the equipment in the process.

With IBM customers there is an added option that can be very attractive. While we would normally buy existing infrastructure, what we do for IBM customers who are making the transition to the cloud is provide cloud credits as part of the process. Simply put, we help our customers turn their existing hardware into a cloud environment. Having completed this kind of transformation for many customers we can turn a situation that can often be very stressful into one that is efficient and cost effective.

Contact us today to learn more about our programs. Our team of pros is ready to help you not only retire your existing hardware but also help you transition into the future with the Big Data Supply cloud.

The cloud economy is real. As AWS created the public cloud industry for the masses, the adoption rate of cloud offerings for everything, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) has skyrocketed.

As with most good things that are marketed to death and promoted as IT’s version of the second coming there are unintended consequences of shifting cloudward. Not the least of these is the dilemma of what happens to existing infrastructure that is being replaced by a cloud delivery.

Often these moves to the cloud are driven by economic buyers who are not directly connected to their IT teams. The message received by those cutting the checks but not minding the IT shop is that a switch to the cloud is an easy way to save money and gain efficiency.

As with most things in business and life, the devil is in the details. Moving to the cloud requires taking a good hard look at the existing infrastructure and determining what role it could play in an infrastructure that includes cloud services.

Let’s look at a few scenarios that might surface as a move to the cloud is made.

1. Current infrastructure is approaching end of life – This is one of the more desirable positions to be in, as looming capital expenditures can now be turned into operating expenses, which saves cash. As is the case with many Big Data Supply customers, there could be an opportunity to sell the older equipment to us and have even more cash to help offset new cloud expenditures.

2. Some equipment gets repurposed – This is another opportunistic situation in which servers or other equipment could be assigned for other duties. An example would be taking a production server and turning it into a ‘warm spare’ of a critical component of your IT architecture. This can serve as a form of disaster recovery which could be very valuable if the situation arises.

3. The current infrastructure is no longer needed – This can be a worst case scenario depending on the level of depreciation the current assets have reached. There could be some losses incurred, but our job at Big Data Supply is to buy servers, data tape media, tape drives, and tape libraries.

You can also hire an business lawyers to defend your corporate IT infrastructure.

Adapting to the cloud economy is a fantastic opportunity to truly streamline your IT inventory and assets. There is always some short-term pain or discomfort but having partners like BDS can help lighten the load.

Call us today at 1(800) 905-7329 to set up a consultation. We can help you evaluate how to get the most from your existing infrastructure or turn your unneeded assets into cash.

Remember when the pundits predicted that we would ultimately be a paperless society? Futurists now envision a world where cars drive everyone from point to point rather than people driving the cars themselves. These are just two examples of the use of embellishment or hyperbole to make a point, although the reality often falls far short of the fantasy.

We are seeing the same thing happen in the world of data tape storage. Storage providers and disc manufacturers have been predicting the inevitable fate of tape data storage media going the way of the dinosaur.

Well, we at Big Data Supply are here to say “Easy there, big fella!” regarding the obsolescence of data tape storage. Over our 20 years of experience and service in the data center equipment business, we have seen many IT ‘fads’ come and go. The thing about data storage using tape is that it is finding a significant niche in the data storage needs of businesses as other storage options evolve.

Here are a few of the ways tape is helping IT professionals get more from their infrastructure.

1. Technological advances make tape for data storage capable of meeting the increasing storage needs that businesses face today. Compliance concerns like HIPAA and PCI require longer time periods for data to be archived. Using tape for long term archival needs makes more sense than using cloud or disc storage.

2. The economics of tape are attractive, especially concerning long term archiving tape. Cloud storage from a third party is a monthly recurring charge that can become extremely expensive over long periods. You hear many opex v. capex arguments in favor of opex, but in this case, a smaller one-time cost for tape can save significant money over time.

3. The Cloud providers are turning to tape for long term archiving for their customers. If cloud providers themselves are making this move, then it makes sense that IT departments should be looking closely at the benefits of tape.

Of course, each individual IT and data center department’s strategy around data storage will be determined by the unique needs of the business. This is actually the most critical step in recognizing exactly where tape will provide the greatest benefit.

If you are looking for ways to get the most mileage from your IT budget call us to schedule an appointment. We work with companies every day to help them use available technologies to their greatest benefit. We also help businesses sell their old tape media, used desktops, servers and more. And while we are good at helping our customers store data in a cost effective manner, we can also provide industry leading data destruction services.

Call us today at 1(800) 905-7329 for more information.