NAND flash, an advanced memory technology that can be used in the place of hard disks or other storage options, is accelerating data center operations in many sectors. Business process management software gives organizations an opportunity to integrate application functionalities and enable process automation, accelerating information distribution to employees. These two technologies, when combined, can contribute to data center performance improvements that benefit end users and deliver a substantial return on investment.
Introducing NAND Flash in the data center
Most data center storage systems are built around hard disk drives that create a major data flow bottleneck. The problem is that while processing and DRAM capabilities have increased, hard disks are still relatively slow. This creates an environment in which the processor spends a lot of time idle{,} waiting for data to be moved from the hard disk to the DRAM. When solid state drives, which are built on NAND flash, are introduced, the bottleneck is removed.
SSDs, though expensive, are much faster than hard disks. As a result, data flows, through storage systems and to applications, accelerate considerably when SSDs are used. This allows for such major performance increases that the high costs of SSDs are not problematic.
Considering BPM software for process acceleration
The improved functionality offered by NAND flash is mirrored in and complemented by BPM software. As companies use cloud computing, mobile devices and social solutions, NAND flash provides the storage performance needed to support data-related functionality. However, this does not give end users the ability to suddenly handle much larger and more complex data sets within applications. BPM solutions provide organizations with the integration and process automation capabilities they need to deal with the increased complexity created by cloud, social and mobile systems.
Combining NAND flash and BPM for major operational gains
On their own, NAND flash and BPM can give companies a strategic edge over the competition. Combined, the two technologies provide an example of what next-generation business functionality could look like. In such an environment, data access and distribution processes are accelerated to the point that big data becomes accessible. At the same time, technological capabilities in the data center align with end-user requirements, maximizing operations and considerably shifting the fiscal landscape for a major ROI.
Malcolm Ross
Vice President of Product Marketing
