Storage Technology Corp. (StorageTek) (NYSE: STK) -- looking to edge its way into the storage virtualization game -- is teaming up with FalconStor Software Inc. (Nasdaq: FALC) to create a data replication appliance that works with heterogeneous storage systems (see StorageTek, FalconStor Snuggle).
As part of the deal, StorageTek will immediately start reselling FalconStor's IPStor software. Then, over the next two months, the two vendors will jointly produce a StorageTek-branded heterogeneous replication and mirroring appliance, which they say will reduce the cost and improve the efficiency of mirroring data to local or remote locations. Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed.
The companies say the planned appliance fits into each of their data lifecycle management strategies, which are intended to let customers move different types of data to the appropriate storage medium depending on the value of the data.
"We offer policy-based data movement, and StorageTek offers the most interesting array of storage mediums today," says Jon Greene, the director of product management for FalconStor. "This is a very logical synergy."
Michael Karp, an analyst with Enterprise Management Associates, says the partnership is a smart move for both players. "It gives FalconStor a huge customer base and gives StorageTek access to technology they never had before," he says.