Hitachi Vantara has announced a global partnership with Model9, a provider of cloud data management services for mainframes.
Model9 aims to provide improved access, visibility and value from critical data for large enterprises with mainframes as their core business platform.
The Hitachi Vantara and Model9 collaboration enables enterprises to gain greater data-driven value through the cloud, making mainframe data available and accessible for both cloud applications and predictive analytics services.
Bringing additional capabilities to the Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform (VSP) 5000 series and Hitachi Content Platform (HCP) object storage portfolio, Model9's software connects the mainframe, so customers can transfer current or historical mainframe data, whether stored on disk or tape, without interim disk storage.
Additionally, the technology allows customers to securely unlock mainframe formatted data for use in any private or public cloud.
"The dilemma for many organisations is that on-premise data is siloed, and access to legacy data on tape backups is difficult," said Mark Ablett, president, digital infrastructure at Hitachi Vantara. "Combining with Model9's software provides many benefits, including protected backup copies, recovering and restoring data quickly and replacing costly virtual tape hardware with affordable cloud storage.
“This is also a great example of how our strong partner network is able to drive trusted solutions and profitable outcomes for customers."
"The reality is that mainframe modernisation takes time, and it's critical that businesses are able to access and gain value from their mainframe data while undergoing that transition," said Gil Peleg, chief executive officer at Model9. "We provide a unique offering that provides a streamlined approach that enables customers to protect, access and monetise their data.”
Hitachi Vantara and Model9 are now co-selling the joint solution worldwide. Model9 was already a co-sell partner with mainframe provider IBM.
Model9 maintains that mainframes still hold 80% of the world's mission critical business data, whether it's from banks, telcos or utility companies.
It says that while the number of mainframes is going down, the amount of data stored on them is actually going up.
Other Model9 partners include cloud data management vendor Cohesity, and system integrators Accenture, DXC and Infosys.
On the IT Press Tour of Israel last year, a Model9 typical use case presented to attendees, including IT Europa, suggested margins on its proprietary software were high. An advantage for end customers though, is that it’s a "low code" solution, meaning that customers can "democratise" their data cloud amidst a mainframe skills shortage.
