Alliance Between Innodisk and Microsoft

Innodisk Corporation is hosting media and industry partners at a Taipei event with a focus on establishing a new standard of AIoT storage and device management.

Joining Innodisk’s president Randy Chien is Microsoft’s APAC GM of IoT device experience, Shirley Strachan, who together will announce the two companies’ strategic partnership, the event will also be attended by Super Micro Computer, Inc., DFI, Inc., Avalue Technology, Inc., and IEI Integration Corp., who will be showcasing how their products can integrate Innodisk and Microsoft’s new solution.

First SSD with Integrated Azure Sphere
With the InnoAGE SSD with Microsoft’s MCU, Azure Sphere, Innodisk introduces a flash device with independent out-of-band connectivity. The compact Microsoft MCU ensures connection to the cloud and comes with extensive security measures to protect user data and access. Innodisk’s hardware and firmware expertise further strengthen security at the edge with encryption and versatile data erasure options.

Main Obstacle to IoT Deployment
On an average basis, IoT system integrators have to chip in an additional 80% of upfront costs for subsequent maintenance and management after having installed digital infrastructure. This sum is largely due to downtime and its derived costs. IoT devices can be managed and monitored remotely, but once they crash, the only option left is sending someone out to physically fix and recover the system, ultimately leading to higher maintenance costs and increased downtime.

Solving the Maintenance Predicament
Out-of-band connection tackles this issue by adding a separate pathway to access the system. The InnoAGE SSD connects via standard in-band solutions, but also offers out-of-band connectivity through Ethernet or WiFi. This means that the SSD is able to run system recovery if the OS is inaccessible or the whole system crashes, offering a quick and simple way to get devices up and running without relying on physical access.

Expanding AIoT Markets
The InnoAGE SSD aims at the emerging smart markets within established fields such as medical facilities, factories, transportation, and surveillance.

Chien states: “We are constantly looking for avenues to actualize AIoT, which is why we at Innodisk are working together with partners to realize AI at the edge. Microsoft is an important partner when we face down one of the greatest challenges of IoT implementation, namely efficient device management and cutting downtime.“