IBM FlashSystem Reviews

Vendor: IBM

4.1 out of 5

109 reviews
91% willing to recommend

2,389 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 #4 ranked solution in top NAS solutions, #4 ranked solution in top Modular SAN (Storage Area Network) solutions, and #13 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 109 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

Raanan Sitton

Vice President Sales at BELOCAL LTD

IBM FlashSystem 5300 is offered at a very low cost in Israel, which is advantageous for small companies. However, other features like deduplication and compression do not perform effectively. The price sensitivity makes it a viable option for clients with budgetary constraints, as it allows us to secure deals based on the cost rather than advanced performance.

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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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IBM FlashSystem mindshare

Product category:

As of January 2025, the mindshare of IBM FlashSystem in the NAS category stands at 7.6%, up from 7.2% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

NAS

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	NAS	Jan 2, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jan 2, 2025	Download
Comparison	IBM FlashSystem vs Dell PowerScale (Isilon)	Jan 2, 2025	Download
Comparison	IBM FlashSystem vs Dell PowerStore	Jan 2, 2025	Download
Comparison	IBM FlashSystem vs NetApp FAS Series	Jan 2, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Dell PowerStore	4.3	N/A	95%	78 interviews Add to research
Dell PowerScale (Isilon)	4.4	24.1%	96%	54 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

IBM FlashSystem offers high performance, low latency, and a user-friendly interface. Its integration with virtualization and support for data migration simplifies storage management. FlashSystem's compression, deduplication, and Easy Tier enhance efficiency. Users appreciate its reliable hardware, flexible configuration, and consistent user interface similar to other IBM products. Advanced features like data replication, auto-tiering, and storage pooling provide exceptional scalability and storage optimization for diverse enterprise needs.

"IBM products at the enterprise level are stable solutions, with a score of nine out of ten for stability."
"The valuable features of IBM FlashSystem include flash copy mapping, which is a procedure to collect instant point-in-time data for testing real data."
"IBM FlashSystem 5300 is offered at a very low cost in Israel, which is advantageous for small companies."

Room for Improvement

IBM FlashSystem requires better stability and greater scalability. Users express a need for enhanced storage capacity, improved deduplication features, and better GUI functionality. Technical support is seen as slow, and integration with third-party tools needs attention. Additionally, the cost is a concern for many, and there is room for improvement in the efficiency of data reduction capabilities. Overall, the interface and support need significant enhancement to better meet user expectations.

"There is room for improvement in the troubleshooting part, specifically related to IBM Spectrum for Insight. Customers are uncomfortable with remote access, which affects automated remote support."
"There is room for improvement in the troubleshooting part, specifically related to IBM Spectrum for Insight."
"IBM FlashSystem 5300 needs improvement in its deduplication and compression features."

ROI

IBM FlashSystem prices increased by 15-20% after acquisition. Users appreciated the seamless migration, scalability, and performance gains. The All-Flash system notably improved application performance, and integrations like VMware SRM enhanced infrastructure resilience. Technical benefits were centralization and disaster recovery. Stability, scalability, and robust support offset cost concerns. Users experienced time savings compared to prior solutions, appreciating the system's reliability and efficiency despite challenges in quantifying the exact return on investment.

Pricing

IBM FlashSystem pricing varies significantly, with opinions highlighting both competitive and high costs. Licensing is generally straightforward, often bundled with upfront purchases or offering perpetual options based on storage capacity and feature requirements. Discounts are available, especially for large or recurring customers. Some users find initial setup cost-effective but warn about the high expense of additional features or storage expansion. The solution is often considered more expensive than some competitors yet offers a comprehensive feature set.

"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

IBM FlashSystem is frequently utilized for storage solutions in banking, healthcare, and enterprise sectors. Users leverage it for data storage, virtualization, backup, and enhancing database performance. It supports diverse environments including VMware, ERP, SAP, and cloud integrations, often in active-active configurations. Many resellers incorporate it into their offerings for customers needing reliable storage infrastructure with high availability, deduplication, and data protection capabilities. Its deployment spans small to large organizations, providing centralized storage for various applications.

Service and Support

IBM FlashSystem customer service is generally good, fostering positive relationships. However, technical support varies widely, with some regions praising quick responses, skilled support, and strong local teams. Others report poor response times, inadequate resources, and complicated support processes. Some find it efficient and satisfactory, while various customers face issues like slow responses and extra charges. Many find satisfaction with proactive alerts and accurate diagnosis, although certain regions experience severe challenges and dissatisfaction with the support quality and scope.

Deployment

Users found IBM FlashSystem's initial setup generally simple and straightforward. Many were able to handle installation themselves, noting the intuitive interface and ease of connecting and configuring systems. Some mentioned that setup complexity could increase with customization or larger models, yet the process remained manageable with proper documentation and guidance. While there were a few reports of complexity, especially with larger deployments, overall feedback highlights user-friendliness and quick deployment times.

Scalability

Users find IBM FlashSystem highly scalable, with options to expand via modules, clusters, and additional drives. It suits medium to large enterprises, offering flexibility and dynamic upgrades. Some note complexity in certain models, and a few mention challenges scaling beyond a certain point. Cost considerations arise for larger setups. Scalability ratings vary, typically scoring between seven and nine out of ten, indicating general satisfaction with the expansion capabilities.

Stability

Users have generally found IBM FlashSystem to be very stable, with many rating it highly. Some have experienced minor issues with hardware failures and code bugs, quickly resolved. While multiple users noted stability issues during upgrades, patches have typically addressed these problems. The mature code base and redundancy features contribute to a robust performance, making it a reliable choice for many. Users recommend it for its high stability and consistent performance.

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

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

16%

Financial Services Firm

12%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Comms Service Provider

Educational Organization

Retailer

Healthcare Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

University

Insurance Company

Media Company

Construction Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Hospitality Company

Transportation Company

Legal Firm

Outsourcing Company

Non Profit

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Consumer Goods Company

Logistics Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

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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