StorSimple Renamed to Azure StorSimple, Gets Big Refresh in August

I attended a briefing last week on Microsoft's re-envisioning of the StorSimple Hybrid Cloud appliance that it acquired in October 2012. Available this coming August, Microsoft is introducing the StorSimple 8000 Series Hybrid Storage Arrays. Designed to provide cost savings in storage and data protection, the StorSimple appliance delivers primary storage, archive and disaster recovery services. I've reviewed this product before (and probably will again) and have been amazed by demos showing how valuable it is. StorSimple is a true Hybrid storage and DR solution that no one else comes close to matching. It's truly one of the hidden gems in Microsoft's vault. With the launch of the 8000 series on August 1, Microsoft is proving they understand the needs of customers who are destined to keep much of their data management in a controlled, in-house environment.

Here's what you can expect from the new 8000 series:

The StorSimple appliances help to explain the rumor Mary Jo Foley talked about yesterday. These appliances, built on Azure, will be manufactured and supplied by Microsoft and offered to large enterprises through partners. More details on this arrangement will be provided during Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference 2014 next week.

The StorSimple 5000/7000 series will still be offered as a cloud storage appliance, but will not support Microsoft Azure StorSimple Manager and the Microsoft Azure StorSimple Virtual Appliance.

Some benefits of the new Azure-infused appliance:

To learn more about StorSimple and request a demo, go here: StorSimple Hybrid Cloud Storage