Dell PowerStore Reviews

Name: Dell PowerStore
Brand: Dell Technologies
Rating: 4.3 (78 reviews)

Vendor: Dell Technologies

4.3 out of 5

78 reviews
95% willing to recommend

372 followers

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What is Dell PowerStore?

Dell EMC PowerStore is a midrange next-generation data storage solution. It is designed with a data-centric, intelligent, and adaptable infrastructure and helps consolidate storage and virtual server environments. The Dell EMC PowerStore platform includes two major configurations, including PowerStore T and PowerStore X. Dell EMC PowerStore enables you to deploy the appliance and consolidate data and applications and supports both flash and SCM Optane devices.

Get the Dell PowerStore Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about Dell PowerStore, NetApp AFF, Pure FlashArray X NVMe and more!

Dell PowerStore is the #1 ranked solution in best All-Flash Storage Arrays, #1 ranked solution in best NVMe All-Flash Arrays, #2 ranked solution in top NAS solutions, #2 ranked solution in top Enterprise SAN solutions, and #5 ranked solution in top Data Warehouse solutions. PeerSpot users give Dell PowerStore an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Based on the analysis of the 78 most recent Dell PowerStore reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 7.2. Dell PowerStore is most commonly compared to NetApp AFF: Dell PowerStore vs NetApp AFF. Dell PowerStore is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 55% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 18% of all views.

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Featured reviews

Ken Boyer

Associate Director, Systems & Engineer at IQVIA

The systems I currently have in place are old, and their support is running out. They're at the end of their life cycle. One of the key improvements that PowerStore is going to bring is that it will enable me to shrink the physical footprint. I'll be going from 5 physical HP arrays, which are about 12 racks in size, down to 4 PowerStores, which can fit on one rack. As a result, I'll be able to shrink the footprint, save power, cooling, etc. I will also be able to improve the existing performance and longevity of the platform. When we put the PowerStore in for the Oracle database, it was previously on NetApp. The staff wanted to do snapshots but also clone, and then be able to clone from a clone to add it to another system. PowerStore enabled them to do just that. They not only got their performance back to where it needed to be from previously being on the NetApp array but also got some of the feature functions that they require for the application.

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Bill McKee

Service Owner, Platform Services at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees

My team was involved in the deployment. I know we had the pro deploy services that did a lot of the work for us. It took a little while to get updates done. It sat for a few months before our data center was ready to put it in. Other than that, the deployment went pretty seamlessly. Once we actually had all the prereqs done, it was deployed within a week, it was probably just a few days even between the two sites. There were a couple of months of waiting, however, that was more on our side. These were two new Greenfield data center builds. It was like starting from scratch with a partner and now we're migrating workloads into them. It wasn't integrating with anything that existed. There was one person on my team who was coordinating with outside organizations to do some implementation work for us. He was a cloud/storage engineer. In terms of maintenance requirements, there's one person who looks after things. We've got it integrated with CloudIQ from a management standpoint. It largely tells us when things need to happen, however, one person keeps up with updates, new firmware, and those kinds of things.

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Hamed Mohamed

Adv. Service Manager at ECC Solutions

The usage of the system is very straightforward. It is simple and easy to use. It has great snapshots. I can take a million snapshots and also schedule the timing. There is no complicated configuration for queries and calls. You just create a model and go. This generation of the product, overall, has been very nice. It is stable. The solution can scale.

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Dell PowerStore mindshare

Product category:

As of November 2024, the mindshare of Dell PowerStore in the NVMe All-Flash Storage Arrays category stands at 24.5%, down from 29.3% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

NVMe All-Flash Storage Arrays

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Nov 8, 2024

Valuable Features

Dell PowerStore offers flexibility, high performance, and ease of use. Key features include independent scaling of compute and capacity, VMware integration, machine learning, and automation for resource optimization. Users appreciate its advanced data compression and deduplication, NVMe support, scalability, and reliable migration tools. The interface is user-friendly, setup is straightforward, and it supports diverse workloads. CloudIQ aids in management. Energy efficiency and strong security features also make it a favored choice.

"The platform's reliability and built-in replication between disk systems have made our customers happy. It has worked consistently well over the years."
"We have implemented Dell PowerStore for small sites needing mirrored storage. To ensure high availability, the storage is set up in two different locations, possibly in the same building but far apart."
"PowerStore is robust compared to the previous models like Unity, and it provides excellent compression and deduplication."

Room for Improvement

Dell PowerStore requires improvements in enterprise features, NAS functionality, and data reduction targets. Integration with VMware and network complexity need enhancement. Customers report stability issues with software updates and a lack of monitoring capabilities. Users also express concerns about high costs, technical support, and the need for advanced security features. The system's user interface and reporting tools demand refinement. Customers desire better flexibility, scalability, and automation options, along with a competitive pricing structure.

"The previous version of Dell PowerStore we used was easier to use compared to the current one. They have made it more cumbersome to handle, although it still works. It has become more complicated to manage."
"Dell PowerStore is too expensive, and it could be less complicated. It isn't as user-friendly as other options, especially regarding the user interface."
"The replication part needs improvement, particularly the integration of RecoverPoint."

ROI

Users of Dell PowerStore have realized benefits in cost-efficiency and performance improvements. They report reduced storage and cooling costs, improved data savings, and increased productivity due to faster processing times. Some mention consolidating storage efforts and reducing infrastructure while maintaining performance. Dell PowerStore's longer lifecycle offsets initial costs. However, some users have not yet had enough time to measure financial outcomes. Overall, Dell PowerStore provides value and enhanced operational efficiency.

Pricing

Dell PowerStore pricing is considered high but competitive, especially for its NVMe capabilities. Users appreciate the all-inclusive licensing, with no extra costs for features, though some note it includes additional fees for high-capacity use cases. While certain users find its cost beneficial due to deduplication and compression benefits, others criticize its higher price point compared to competitors like IBM and Huawei. Overall, licensing is deemed simple, with flexible options depending on specific needs.

"The pricing structure and licensing model of Dell PowerStore are very good and I like it. We chose it because it was reasonably priced and met our requirements"
"The software features are included in the pricing without any additional purchase requirements."
"We are currently using Dell PowerStore for our smaller storage and there is no competition for pricing."

Popular Use Cases

Dell PowerStore is primarily utilized for virtualized environments using VMware, SAN storage, and high-performance databases. Users deploy it for hosting virtual machines, data migration, enterprise servers, and replication. It supports applications and is utilized by entities in finance, real estate, and educational institutions. The storage units are frequently used for data protection, development, and analytical tasks, with many configurations including Cloud and hybrid integrations.

Service and Support

Dell PowerStore's customer service and support are generally praised for being responsive and effective. Many users appreciate the fast communication, proactive assistance, and 24/7 availability. Some highlight excellent service during critical issues, with quick resolutions. However, there are concerns about delayed responses and ticket management complexity. While users find Dell's support knowledgeable, they mention the need for better continuity and training. Satisfaction varies, with rated responses ranging from seven to ten out of ten.

Deployment

Dell PowerStore's initial setup is generally straightforward and easy, with many noting a seamless installation process. Some did encounter challenges related to configuration and licensing, extending setup times. Experience varied, with rapid deployment in some cases, while others faced complexities with networking and coordination. Often requiring preparation, expertise, or external support, the setup can be completed efficiently when well-planned, with several users emphasizing its simplicity compared to other products.

Scalability

Dell PowerStore's scalability is widely appreciated for its ability to grow both vertically and horizontally. It supports various configurations and can incorporate multiple appliances, making it suitable for diverse environments. While some models are more scalable than others, most users find its expansion capabilities advantageous. The technology integrates NVMe to enhance scalability, although costs can be a concern. Many organizations foresee future expansions depending on their needs, confirming PowerStore's efficient scalability features.

Stability

Dell PowerStore is generally stable, with many users reporting excellent stability and reliability. Some early adopters experienced minor software issues, but these did not significantly impact performance. Users appreciate its robustness and have not faced major problems, though a few noted rare reboot or update challenges. Dell PowerStore maintains high availability and performs well, achieving user satisfaction in most cases. Some issues occurred with firmware updates and hard disk degradation, yet these were effectively handled.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Dell PowerStore Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

18%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

Government

Healthcare Company

University

Educational Organization

Retailer

Comms Service Provider

Insurance Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Construction Company

Non Profit

Hospitality Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Media Company

Legal Firm

Transportation Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Outsourcing Company

Consumer Goods Company

Engineering Company

Performing Arts

Logistics Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Pharma/Biotech Company

Compare Dell PowerStore with alternative products

Learn more about Dell PowerStore

Dell EMC PowerStore Offers:

Value
Flexibility
Simplicity

Dell EMC PowerStore Features

Some of the most powerful Dell EMC PowerStore features include:

Data-centric design: Dell EMC PowerStore is designed to optimize system performance, scalability, and storage efficiency to support any workload.
Intelligent automation: Intelligent automation helps simplify management as well as optimize system resources. Through a programmable infrastructure, it also enables you to easily monitor, analyze, and troubleshoot the environment.
Adaptable architecture: Because it has an adaptable architecture, Dell EMC PowerStore is able to provide speed and application mobility and offer flexible deployment models.
Scalability: Dell EMC PowerStore can be scaled up and scaled out.
Data-in-place upgrades: By providing data-in-place upgrades, you gain a modernized infrastructure without any downtime involved and without impacting applications.

Dell EMC PowerStore Benefits

Some of the benefits of using Dell EMC PowerStore include:

Flexible deployment: Dell EMC PowerStore is made to modernize the core, edge, and cloud without disruption, leading to flexible deployment.
Pay-per-use: Dell EMC PowerStore offers a range of flexible purchase options.
Any workload: Because Dell EMC PowerStore is designed to leverage next-gen innovations, it can work with any workload.
Programmable infrastructure: Dell EMC PowerStore streamlines application development and also automates storage workflows through integration with VMware and a broad ecosystem of leading management and orchestration frameworks, enabling you to provision services directly from the application tool sets that you use most frequently.

Reviews from Real Users

Below are some reviews and helpful feedback written by Dell EMC PowerStore users who are currently using the solution.

PeerSpot user Maurizio D., who is a CTO at Universita' degli Studi di Pisa, says it "Gives us flexibility, performance, and ease of use. It also has some very good compression capabilities. We were looking for a solution that was easy to install in our VMware environment, that was flexible. PowerStore X is a type of a VMware cluster that you install inside your environment. If you have a VMware environment, like we have in production, it's easy to install and use."

Another PeerSpot user, Jorg L., who is an IT Administrator at a construction company, mentions "For access from virtual machines, iSCSI, and NFS, it is very good. It helps increase performance."

"The administration tools take advantage of machine learning and make recommendations to the admins, and that makes the administration easier," says a Chief Information Officer at a computer software company. He also comments that “Overall, we've benefited from the dedupe, compression, and replication, the advanced technology, of this frame. It's all better than what we had in the previous generation of XtremIO appliances, and above what we were getting in the Dell EMC Unitys.”

Dell PowerStore was previously known as PowerStore.