IBM Storage Utility Offerings Delivers Variable Capacity Storage Options

IBM Storage Utility Offerings deliver variable capacity storage options for IBM Cloud Object Storage

IBM Storage Utility offerings include IBM Cloud Object Storage models that enable variable capacity usage and billing.

These models offer a fixed total capacity with an available base and variable usage subscription of that total capacity. The built-in measurement tool in IBM Cloud Object Storage Manager 3105 (3403-M01) is used to monitor the system capacity usage. It is used to report on capacity used beyond the base subscription capacity, referred to as variable usage. The variable capacity usage is billed on a quarterly basis. This enables customers to grow or shrink their usage, and only pay for configured capacity.

The base system subscription is required to be facilitated through a three-year lease. The variable usage capacity will be billed through MES system upgrades for the capacity used.

These systems are available worldwide, but there are specific client and program differences by location.

Cloud Object Storage Utility offering feature code AJE0 delivers the ability to pay for storage capacity based on your actual monthly usage that may increase or decrease monthly. It is designed for customers with high rates of storage growth needing storage capacity to be available. IBM sellers or business partners must nominate their client and get them approved to participate in this program.

This storage utility offering has three components as described below:

Base subscription: The first component of this program is the acquisition of the eligible machine with a base capacity subscription. This is implemented through an IBM Global Financing lease for a minimum of 36 months.
Variable utilized capacity: The second component is a fee that is based on the actual terabyte usage over the base subscription limit. The variable utilized capacity is monitored monthly and ordered each calendar quarter with an MES feature code against the installed machine. The actual variable utilized capacity may increase or decrease monthly.
Monitoring software: Capacity monitoring will be performed through the built-in measurement tool in Cloud Object Storage Manager 3105 (3403-M01).

Key prerequisites

Cloud Object Storage System software V3.12, or later.
Cloud Object Storage Manager 3105 (3403-M01) to monitor the system and required for the Cloud Object Storage Utility Offering.
Customers must also use an approved Cloud Object Storage configuration, including fully populated Slicestor models.

Planned availability date: February 23, 2018