Consultancy Capabilities

As modern computing architectures evolve an increasing dependence upon robust data storage systems is strongly correlated. Partitioned UNIX systems, large Microsoft, Linux or virtualised x86/x64 clusters all demand high availability, high integrity and high performance storage networks. Data Engines have developed an accredited and field tested body of knowledge and methodologies in assisting customers design integrate and audit such complex compute/storage infrastructures.

After gaining an in depth understanding of each client’s requirements, budgetary and organisational restraints we begin a process of analysis and synthesis from various sources. Our knowledge base is drawn from a number of areas; firstly we rely heavily on ensuring the specific technology combination a client has chosen is supported by each participating vendor. Given the investment most firms have made in technology we ensure you are compliant with their requirements first. Then we look to our experience and best practices for addressing the challenges at hand. This is further supplemented by identifying where industry/vertical best practices may apply and finally, looking to ‘future proof’ architectures so that current systems can readily take advantage of benefits offered on the vendor innovation curve.

We have undertaken short to medium term residency placements within financial, engineering and government corporations with varying scopes of engagement. In all cases though, we focus on engaging the appropriate internal information systems stakeholders and conducting a collaborative response to data storage challenges. Most organisations are interested in pursuing one or more of the following strategic consulting pathways:

• Storage Service Delivery Assurance – can we provide what we say we provide?
• Storage Service Catalogue Generation – what should we say we can provide?
• Storage Asset Management – what much does it cost to provide what we provide?
• Storage Service Innovation – what else could we provide?

Consultancy Topics


• Data storage services catalogue development and business process integration
• Block and file storage profiling and capacity planning
• Storage system management and maintenance cycles
• Data snapshot, replication and backup planning
• Advanced backup topics (e.g host application snapshot integration)
• SAN Fabric analysis, what-if scenarios
• SAN Fabric security audits
• Virtualised storage and tiering
• Strategic maintenance, cost management and storage asset lifecycles
• Commercial negotiation support
• Vendor/s technical support liaison
• EOI/RFQ drafting and response validation



Key Vendor Experience and Accreditations

EMC Velocity Partner

VMware Enterprise Partner 

Symantec Silver Partner       

Brocade Premier Partner 

Falconstor Certified Partner 

F5 Business Partner    

IBM Business Partner