"This is representative of a trend toward clustered control systems," says Evaluator Group analyst Randy Kerns, pointing out that until recently most companies didn't cluster more than two controllers together. "This allows for more linear scaling."
But the question of how much these tests actually play into customers' buying decisions remains. For example, EMC Corp. (NYSE: EMC), one of the test's starkest opponents, has long insisted that the SPC benchmark is useless, because, it claims, the test doesn't reflect real-world customer configurations.
While some customers claim to disregard the benchmark for that very reason, others say it's an important part of the evaluation process. Peter Lilienthal, the CTO of systems integrator and consultancy Strong Link Data, says he generally only considers vendors that submit to the benchmark.
"Benchmarks help level the playing field," says Lilienthal. "They give us an impression of different platforms... If you want the fastest platform, go with the benchmarked companies." Strong Link Data, based in Orlando, Fla., recently advised the U.S. Army to purchase the StorEdge 6320 for a joint simulation systems project.
Eugénie Larson, Reporter, Byte and Switch
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