Point Storage Manager Allows User Driven File Tiering and Archiving

As of now users of PoINT Storage Manager from PoINT Software & Systems GmbH) are able to purge files independently and without support of their administrator to secondary and archive storage.

The primary storage can be used more effectively by manual purging of files as only by automated purging. For this reason the data and storage management software takes a step forward, purging data exclusively according to policies given by administrators.

In case of solutions for archiving, HSM and for file tiering usually only policies given by the administrator manage what data is purged at what time from primary to secondary storage. Thus users do not have any chance to decide from case to case what data and especially when that data can be purged from primary to secondary storage e.g. for archiving purposes. It is also impossible for users to decide themselves when files should be re-stored in primary storage for fast access and therefore need the assistance from their administrator. This limitation leads in many cases to sub-optimal workflows or involves risks, amongst others, if from users view an immediate archiving is necessary for protecting data against manipulations. Centrally controlled policy-based archiving at a given time cannot prevent that undesired changes are archived.

Users can decide themselves what file has to be purged at what time. For this user driven file tiering and archiving approach the software offers several methods: a Windows Explorer shell extension with a corresponding context menu for Windows NTFS-based file systems, a command line tool usable also for batch scripting, as well as a new platform independent web-client. The ‘stubbing’-procedure ensures that the file system structure is not changed by the purging process. 

“By this new web-client our customers gain an additional possibility to get the unstoppable growth of unstructured data under control,” explains Thomas Thalmann, manager projects and services, PoINT Software & Systems. “Because one thing is certain: without intelligent file tiering and archiving an efficient and compliant storage cannot be guaranteed.“