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Crossroads Systems, Inc. announced a new Library Overview Analysis Service that enables faster backups and identifies self cost-justifying performance improvements.


 
The Need
Storage administrators and IT managers continue to face ever-growing amounts of data that must be managed and stored for longer periods of time. In addition to dealing with the added burden, IT experts often work with technologies that do not meet expected standards. As a result, backups frequently exceed allocated time windows. Attempting to identify the true source of the inefficiencies can often become an extremely time consuming and costly exercise that most organizations cannot afford.
 
The Solution
The new Crossroads Library Overview Analysis Service offered through the ReadVerify Appliance (RVA) is a key operational analytics tool designed to provide ongoing insight into a tape library environment through a convenient Web portal. Within seconds, an organization can assess the source of latency challenges and proactively resolve issues before they become costly to address. Designed to complement Crossroads' existing Site Analysis Survey and Tape Verification Service, the Library Overview Analysis offers a secure view of the entire tape library environment that is accessible from anywhere.
 
Gain Valuable Insight
for Cost-Reduction and Performance Improvement
Customers are now utilizing the service globally, as it offers unique performance and utilization information gathered by RVA. The Crossroads RVA is a standalone, self-contained device that installs quickly into a Storage Area Network and starts to immediately capture data about a tape environment without impacting ongoing operations. To further ease the access to analytical data, the new Crossroads Library Overview Analysis Service uses the data captured by RVA to offer:

• A single, integrated and comprehensive view of a tape library environment, including system efficiency, asset utilization and key risk areas
• A monthly report delivered via a Web portal that provides data trends analysis and drive-tape error correlation, as well as system performance and efficiency information
• A quarterly summary report that provides detailed analysis that includes actionable recommendations

RVA integrates seamlessly into any existing tape environment. There are no agents to install, and no additional servers or components to purchase. Maintenance updates are also transparent to users so that the focus can be placed on cost reduction, performance improvements and maximized utilization. Data collection is performed out-of-band of the backup or data application.
 
"Rather than tossing out perfectly good media, storage administrators can avoid unnecessary costs and headaches by viewing the precise status and health of their environment," said Elaine Pleshek, senior product manager at Crossroads Systems. "Customers appreciate the guidance this new Crossroads service has to offer, as they can now proactively monitor their storage resources from any location via the Web. They obtain a convenient, cost-effective method for gaining ongoing insight into their tape environment and the resulting cost-reduction recommendations. It's a service that pays for itself. By gaining a reliable tool that continually diagnoses operational backup errors, organizations can experience impressive performance improvements."