EMC offers lower-cost Centera archiving app

EMC has launched a lower-capacity, lower-cost version of its Centera content addressed storage (CAS) system, designed to archive fixed content at medium-sized firms and divisions within larger companies.

The new EMC Centera four-node configuration offers 2.2 terabytes (TB) of storage and is priced at under $100,000 (£53,000). A 4TB eight-node version will cost $135,000 (£72,000).

Mark Lewis of EMC revealed that the product will ship in May 2005 and will be aimed at mid-sized businesses that have expressed interest in CAS systems, but have been put off by the price of existing products.

While capacity and price are lower, the new product's functionality matches that of existing Centera products, and it supports auto- mated fixed content archiving, continuous monitoring for corrupted files and IP-enabled data accessibility. "It may be lower capacity and lower cost but in every other respect this is the same as the rest of the Centera products," said Lewis.

Lewis added that the CAS systems' ability to reach data online, rather than from less-accessible tape storage systems, helps firms comply with new laws, such as the Freedom of Information Act's 20-day limit for public bodies to respond to data requests.

The new version can also integrate with a wide range of third-party and in-house storage manage- ment interfaces, so firms can choose from a variety of dashboards, including systems for email, X-ray, and voice and video file management.

Claus Egge of analyst firm IDC said the move would help EMC to take CAS systems to a wider market. "It makes sense for EMC to take the product a bit lower. There were firms that wouldn't have considered Centera at the previous price levels who will now look at it," he added.