The announcement from Dell Technologies Inc. this week that it would introduce new products and services for Microsoft Corp. compute platforms points towards continued enterprise customer interest in data protection, resilience and security. It also highlights customer interest in simplifying deployment of AI workloads in multicloud environments such as Microsoft Azure.

“Listening to customer feedback in this space, we’re providing a big enhancement to the APEX File Storage for Microsoft Azure offer,” said Varun Chhabra (pictured), senior vice president of product marketing at Dell. “We’re basically introducing a Dell-managed version. This, we believe, will be a cornerstone for AI-driven workloads on Azure, bringing managed capability and managed advanced file services. Customers are looking for their data in Azure to be able to run demanding analytic workflows, HPC workflows, AI workflows on top of that data, that file data sitting on structured data that’s sitting in Azure.”

Chhabra spoke with theCUBE Research’s Rob Strechay at Microsoft Ignite 2024, during an exclusive broadcast on theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio. They discussed Dell’s latest announcements for Microsoft Azure and a continued focus on security. (* Disclosure below.)

Optimizing AI workloads

In addition to the release of new enhancements around APEX File Storage for Azure, Dell also announced Accelerator Services for Copilot+ PCs, an offering Microsoft originally introduced in May. Dell’s new support is designed to help streamline adoption of the AI-powered PCs that are entering the computer market.

“They provide tailored implementation plans, help optimize workflows for customers and help them enable future-ready capabilities as they start to think about rolling out Copilot+ PCs amongst their workforce,” Chhabra said.

To help with security, Dell APEX Protection Services for Microsoft Azure will provide safeguards across edge locations, data centers and remote office locations. The services provide zero-trust security controls that can prevent data modification after creation, along with encryption and authentication protocols.

“It delivers enterprise-grade protection for customers and their data, but it has a unique focus on resilience,” Chhabra noted. “With APEX Protection Services from Microsoft Azure, what customers get is secure storage. There are multiple layers of zero-trust security built into it, data immutability, encryption, multi-factor authentication, and role based access controls.”

Here’s the complete video interview, part of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE Research’s coverage of Microsoft Ignite 2024:

(* Disclosure: Dell Technologies Inc. sponsored this segment of theCUBE. Neither Dell nor other sponsors have editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

Photo: SiliconANGLE