Automated data storage is transforming how organizations handle exponential data growth, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence that challenge traditional storage capabilities. As the speed of innovation surges, the need for storage systems that are not only fast but self-managing, secure and resilient has become crucial.

These intelligent platforms integrate automation, streamline management and strengthen security to meet complex infrastructure demands without adding operational strain. This shift underscores a new era in automated data storage — one focused on adaptive systems that ensure data accessibility and protection while supporting seamless growth in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, according to Jodey Hogeland (pictured, right), global storage technologist at Dell Technologies Inc.

“We do have a very focused, better together strategy within our portfolio of data center products,” he said. “When you look at what’s happening with, say for example Smart Fabrics storage software … being able to really automate the process of deploying, zoning, bringing net new hosts into an environment … that can all be done seamlessly.”

Hogeland and John Lochausen (left), technical solutions architect at World Wide Technology Inc., spoke with theCUBE Research’s Rob Strechay at the Smarter Storage for Tomorrow’s Opportunities event, during an exclusive broadcast on theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio. They discussed how automated data storage solutions, driven by advancements in AI, are transforming data management by providing scalable, secure and adaptable storage systems. (* Disclosure below.)

Powering the path forward with automated data storage

As AI adoption grows, companies seek storage solutions that offer ease of use, flexibility and resilience. Dell’s PowerStore platform, designed for AI workloads, emphasizes simplicity and adaptability. With features such as dynamic node affinity, it intelligently distributes data to optimize performance in real time, reducing the need for manual management, according to Hogeland.

“I do remember the executive leadership team from Michael Dell, Jeff Clark, talking about PowerStore for this category of storage being the strategic future, not just for Dell Technologies, but for the industry,” he said. “I’m investing in a platform that is easily upgradeable, it’s easily scalable, it’s very simple to use and manage, and I can make sure that what I’m investing in today is going to protect me two, three, four, five years down the road.”

In addition to ease of use, PowerStore addresses one of the most critical aspects of modern infrastructure: adaptability. As organizations grow, their storage needs shift, often necessitating costly and disruptive upgrades. PowerStore is designed to handle these transitions seamlessly, Lochausen said.

“I would say what our customers are looking for is to not be boxed in,” he explained. “Maybe I start with use case A today. I buy a platform that supports that use case. Down the road, something else comes up, I’d like to be able to use my existing investment to continue to service more stuff. If I outgrow the performance capabilities of my system, I want to be able to upgrade that, preferably, in place so that I’m not having to pick everything up and go through a months-long migration to move it with outage windows and all the pain that comes with that.”

Security, a growing concern as data risks rise, is also prioritized in these next-generation storage solutions. PowerStore integrates real-time anomaly detection, powered by Dell’s APEX AIOps, to identify and mitigate potential threats, such as ransomware, according to Hogeland.

“With Dell Technologies APEX AIOps, we’ve fully built in and integrated a cybersecurity assessment capability,” he said. “We’re skimming the NIST.gov database for known CVEs, exploits and saying, ‘Hey, we just detected that there’s a known exploit that is open out there in your environment. Here’s how you fix it. Here’s what you need to do to service that and get rid of that.’”

Here’s the complete video interview, part of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE Research’s coverage of the Smarter Storage for Tomorrow’s Opportunities event:

Watch the complete virtual event episode here:

(* Disclosure: TheCUBE is a paid media partner for the Smarter Storage for Tomorrow’s Opportunities event. Neither Dell Technologies Inc., the sponsor of theCUBE’s event coverage, nor other sponsors have editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

Photo: SiliconANGLE