SMBs not Embracing Virtualization?

Virtualization is a definitely hot technology in the IT world, but surprisingly, is still not widely adopted among small and medium businesses (SMBs). CRN article “Many SMBs Struggling With Virtualization: Survey” says that SMBs that have already deployed virtualization onto their environments. Only 10% of those that have implemented the technology have not completed their virtualization plans and most have admitted that their are not paying enough attention to their backup and security environments.

It might be because virtualization is a fairly new practice within SMBs, but it is undeniable the advantages of virtualization as opposed to traditional IT practices.

If you’re an SMB and want to learn more about best practices, check out this video. Also check out StoneFly’s patented virtualization technology on their virtualization page.

Banks, ATMs and IP Surveillance – a Match Made in Heaven

The other day, while just clicking through the web, I found this article “How to Gear Up ATM Security Using IP Surveillance?” and it really caught my attention. We all know that IP Surveillance has its advantages, (including higher levels of image resolution, etc.) but there is no other industry that benefits from an IP environment than banks.

Here are some highlight advantages that the article addresses:

• High resolution streaming makes it possible to detect thieves with much precision than CCTV.
• Mobility of IP enables surveillance personnel to access video footage remotely.
• IP Video prevents a process called “skimming” from ATMs.

Want to learn more about how to implement IP to your surveillance environment? Watch this informative webinar on DNF Security’s YouTube page.

Server Virtualization: Game Changer for Mid-market Businesses

Last week I came across this interesting whitepaper on CIO.com about the rapid growth of server virtualization practices within mid-market businesses. Just over the past few years, the jump to server virtualization among midsized enterprises have increased dramatically and is expected to grow up until 2012. Here are some key findings:

• 30% of midsized companies (worldwide) started server virtualization before 2009, but that number doubled by the end of 2009
• 75% of companies expect to implement server virtualization by 2012
• From 2009 to 2012, the use of server virtualization jumped nearly 46% (from 29.1% to 75.1%)
• Transition to server virtualization compelled to upgrade and deploy storage area network (SAN) appliances
• Within the next 2 years, implementing disaster recovery to virtualization efforts becomes a big priority

Want to learn more about server virtualization? Here are some helpful links.

• What is server virtualization?
• See how StoneFly applies the principles of virtualization on all of our products
• Get the full experience of server virtualization by upgrading your storage to an IP SAN

Cloud Market expected to reach to $241 billion by 2020

The Cloud Computing market, although a somewhat young technology, is definitely claiming its stake in the IT world. According to Forrester Research, the entire market is expect to grow from $40.7 billion this year to $241 billion in 2020.

Namely Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) is expected to plateau in 2014 with revenues projected at $5.9 billion. IaaS, which is where storage and server resources are hosted by a service provider and then outsourced by individual organizations, is definitely an infrastructure that has some attractive points including higher efficiency, limitless scale and faster and easier deployment of new services and systems.

To learn more about cloud computing watch this video. Also find out how our cloud computing appliance, the StoneFly Cloud USS, provides IaaS to deliver storage fit for the cloud.

Shifting Technologies – Analog to IP Surveillance

In the world of surveillance, IP-based technologies are changing the paradigm of the video surveillance infrastructure. With the IP industry growing an average of 30% every year, according to IMS Research, it seems that this rapid growth is closing in on the usage of older CCTV analog technologies. IP solutions has its fair share of advantages, namely, high resolution video streaming as well as  easy networking and scalability abilities – all resulting in a environment that is ready to take on more demanding surveillance applications.

However if you currently use analog and are thinking about adding in high resolution IP-based cameras or storage to your environment, don’t think that you need to completely do away with your analog solutions. Think “Hybrid Surveillance“.

Here are some links that you might find useful:

• Watch our video: “Hybrid Surveillance – The Best Of Both Worlds“
• Asmag.com article:  “Bridging the Analog-IP Gap“
• Create a Hybrid Surveillance environment with our Falcon Series  of Video Storage Appliances

Virtualization and Cloud Computing – Who’s winning the battle?

It all started in the data centers and then quickly spread to consumer-based services as a means to easily store your data. From running business-critical applications to safeguarding your complete collection of Beatles songs, we see  the “cloud” coming over the horizon, revolutionizing the way we house our information. But with all this talk about the cloud, don’t forget that virtualization is still a widely adopted solution in the data center arena and has been over the past few years.

According to the 2011 Virtualization and Evolution to the Cloud Survey, 75% of large enterprises that participated in the survey are considering both server virtualization and hybrid cloud computing platforms. Interestingly enough due to virtualization’s maturity in the IT space, enterprises that have implemented virtualization have been vastly satisfied with their infrastructure – only a 4% gap between the expectations and achievements.

Learn more about Virtualization and Cloud Computing technology on the links below:

• Understand the difference between the two technologies – Cloud Computing vs. Virtualization

• Check out our patented virtualization technology on our StoneFly Virtualization Technology page

• Learn more about our Cloud and Virtualization appliances on our products page

Look for DNF Corp. CEO on MySecurity.com.au

MySecurity.com.au, Australia’s leading security and surveillance news portal has featured DNF Corp. CEO, Mo Tahmasebi on their “Security Leadership Series“. Learn more about the CEO, DNF Security, and how we can expect for DNF Security in the future.

To learn more, read here.

StoneFly: 15 Storage Virtualization Vendors To Watch

Last month, CRN Magazine dubbed StoneFly one of the top 100 vendors in the virtualization space with their Virtualization 100 list. Now we are honored that CRN has chosen StoneFly (yet again!) as one of the “15 Storage Virtualization Vendors to Watch” .

This list highlights the top 15 emerging storage vendors in the virtualization industry. With our core engineering values rooted in the best virtualization technology, StoneFly is glad to be a part of such a great list.

StoneFly Makes CRN Magazine’s Virtualization 100 List

StoneFly is proud to announce that CRN Magazine has chosen us to be on their Virtualization 100 list. Featuring the top 100 vendors in the virtualization space, this list 100 is specifically hand-picked by the editorial staff of CRN. The list serves as the de facto resource by which VARs can begin to evaluate the best virtualization products for their business.

We are honored to be a part of this list as we continue to push the boundaries of virtualization in the IT space. To learn more about the CRN Virtualization 100, read our latest press release.

Virtualization Takeover

“Virtualization” has been a major buzzword these days in the world of IT. With so many enterprises virtualizing their datacenters, it is definitely becoming a new way of computing.  I recently read this interesting article: “Is Server Virtualization The New Clustering?“. It gives some great insight on the trends of virtualization and how it can reduce operating expenses, while increasing resource utilization and making management much easier.

Want to learn more about virtualization? Check out this whitepaper or great overview video on www.iSCSI.com.