Firms need rethink of flash memory ROI

FLASH memory technology is becoming more mature and, as it does, it takes on more of the persistent nature characteristic of conventional spinning disks. This is why companies tend to calculate the cost of replacing hard-disk drives (HDDs) in their data centres purely in terms of storage. However, Fusion-io believes that this mindset needs to change in order for enterprises to fully unlock the capabilities offered by flash memory in their servers.

Speaking to BizIT, Gary Orenstein, senior VP of products at Fusion-io, shared that one of the main challenges the company's sales people face when speaking to enterprise companies is highlighting the fact that incorporating flash memory in servers is not just to boost their storage capacity.

In other words, they need to go beyond thinking of it as a cost per kilobyte calculation for return on investment (ROI) purposes. Rather, enterprises should view adopting flash memory in terms of the cost of accelerating their mission-critical business applications and comparing it with existing performance, Mr Orenstein explained.