IBM FlashSystem Reviews

Vendor: IBM

4.1 out of 5

107 reviews
91% willing to recommend

2,387 followers

What is IBM FlashSystem?

IBM FlashSystem products are enterprise computer data storage systems that store data on flash memory chips. Unlike storage systems that use standard solid-state drives, IBM FlashSystem products incorporate custom hardware based on technology from the 2012 acquisition of Texas Memory Systems. This hardware provides performance, reliability, and efficiency benefits versus competitive offerings.

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IBM FlashSystem is the #3 ranked solution in top Modular SAN (Storage Area Network) solutions, #4 ranked solution in top NAS solutions, and #6 ranked solution in best All-Flash Storage Arrays. PeerSpot users give IBM FlashSystem an average rating of 8.2 out of 10. Based on the analysis of the 107 most recent IBM FlashSystem reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 6.9. (Among the lowest in the category). IBM FlashSystem is most commonly compared to Dell PowerStore: IBM FlashSystem vs Dell PowerStore. IBM FlashSystem is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 53% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 16% of all views.

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Featured reviews

Abdul-Salam

Sr. Manager - System Analyst (Datacenter Infrastructure) at Sohar International

Depending on your use case, I recommend looking at models that include compression and deduplication features to ensure the required level of UI performance. We dedicate the solution to one particular application so we do not face performance issues. An environment with a shared storage array across multiple applications or databases may need high performance storage, more memory, and powerful controllers. I rate the solution a seven out of ten.

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Mike Bellemans

Project manager at Sopraco NV

IBM could do more marketing and improve brand awareness. I had never heard of this product until a colleague told me about it. FlashSystem could add a few features, but it would probably increase the price. For example, Pure Storage offers instant snapshotting and partitioning. That would be nice to have, but I think the cost would go up.

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Storemgr67

Storage Manager at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees

In IBM FlashSystem, data reduction is an area with shortcomings where improvements can be made in the future. In the future releases of IBM FlashSystem, I want to see synchronization in three-site replication specifically. The response time taken by the technical support team of IBM is an area where improvements are required. It takes a lot of time for me to get to IBM's second line of support to get an answer.

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IBM FlashSystem mindshare

Product category:

As of November 2024, the mindshare of IBM FlashSystem in the NAS category stands at 7.3%, down from 7.4% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

NAS

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Nov 8, 2024

Valuable Features

Valuable features of IBM FlashSystem include deduplication, compression, high performance, reliability, user-friendly interface, easy configuration, strong support, flexible expansion, storage virtualization, data replication, and robust documentation. Users appreciate its speed, minimal latency, autoscaling, hardware compression, encryption, and administrative simplicity. It is favored for technical support and ease of use, especially in mission-critical operations. The high throughput, compact design, and ability to easily migrate data further enhance its appeal.

"The valuable feature is autoscalling."
"It is simple to make an update."
"The most valuable feature of the solution is SCM (Storage Class Memory), which has the lowest latency value in the storage industry."

Room for Improvement

IBM FlashSystem requires improvements in installation ease, data access speed, and security. Users report problems with flash drives, NVMe bottlenecks, and configuration difficulties. There are stability issues, a need for better monitoring tools, and more competitive pricing. Enhancement of technical support and online resources is also needed. Cloud file sharing and data reduction features are lacking. IBM FlashSystem should support newer technology standards and expand storage capabilities.

"The product could be cheaper."
"Customization features must be improved."
"The solution's infrastructure technology level could be PCI Express 5 instead of PCI Express 4 for the next version."

ROI

IBM FlashSystem shows a noticeable return on investment. It integrates seamlessly with VMware SRM and its Site Recovery Adapter, enhancing infrastructure resilience. Users value its centralized storage and disaster recovery capabilities. They experience fewer wasted hours, and its reliability reduces extra work. Multi-platform support at the lifecycle's end eliminates the need for various storage solutions.

Pricing

Enterprise buyers evaluating IBM FlashSystem generally find the pricing reasonable, with discounts available for larger, regular customers. The pricing can vary based on geography, capacity, and additional features like Easy Tier and FlashCopy. Most costs are bundled, including licenses and support, but some advanced features may require separate licensing. IBM offers flexible payment options, such as pay-as-you-go and perpetual licenses. Overall, while the solution is not the cheapest, its value is highly regarded.

"The tool is cost-efficient."
"The solution has good pricing, but it is not cheaper."
"The price is a little bit high so is rated a six out of ten."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations utilize IBM FlashSystem primarily for storage, data backup, and disaster recovery across on-premises and cloud environments. Use cases include database storage, ERP applications, virtualization, central storage, and performance systems. Companies also employ it for VMware environments, Oracle databases, core banking operations, and data reduction technology. Resellers deploy IBM FlashSystem for customers in various sectors, such as healthcare, banking, and commercial enterprises, facilitating efficient data management and backup services.

Service and Support

IBM FlashSystem support is generally good, with knowledgeable and responsive technicians. Some users report excellent experiences and fast responses, especially in regions like Ukraine and Pakistan. However, others note room for improvement in automation and accessibility. Support levels vary by contract type and region, with some customers experiencing proactive alerts and high satisfaction, while others find local support lacking. Many customers handle issues internally or through partners.

Deployment

Many found IBM FlashSystem's initial setup easy and straightforward, with deployment usually taking between a few hours to a week. Some mentioned that while the setup is well-documented and user-friendly, it can be complex depending on the project or existing infrastructure. Certain users noted that the process is intuitive and can be handled by a small team, though extensive knowledge sometimes required. Most rated the setup highly for its simplicity and efficiency.

Scalability

IBM FlashSystem is highly scalable, accommodating various business requirements. Many users highlighted its ability to easily expand capacity and add new storage. Some noted the ease of scaling both horizontally and vertically, with options to scale different disk types. While there was a mention of scaling challenges with specific models, the majority reported no issues with scalability. IBM FlashSystem can support organizations of varying sizes and is recognized for its flexibility.

Stability

IBM FlashSystem is highly stable. Users consistently report strong performance without encountering issues. Some users highlight its reliability and lack of crashes or bugs. A few mention minor issues, such as disc problems or backplane issues, but these are uncommon. Most praise its robustness, even under stress, and rate its stability between eight and ten out of ten. Several users plan to continue using IBM FlashSystem due to its excellent stability.

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

Download our IBM FlashSystem Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

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Top industries

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Computer Software Company

16%

Financial Services Firm

12%

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Government

Comms Service Provider

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Healthcare Company

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University

Insurance Company

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Energy/Utilities Company

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Compare IBM FlashSystem with alternative products

Learn more about IBM FlashSystem

IBM FlashSystem was previously known as IBM Storwize.

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IBM FlashSystem customers

Celero, Friedhelm Loh Group, Clarks, Mingkang Natregro Health Food Group, Sofia, Etisalat Fights Fraud, UF Health Shands Hospital, Generali, Elecon Engineering Company Limited, Ventiv , Technology, CPFL Energia, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., SciQuest, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, Paddy Power, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, Interconnect Services, Severstal

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