The StorageGrid product also allows users to introduce single instance storage (SIS) into their environment. SIS has the potential to reduce the total amount of storage an organization needs by eliminating multiple copies of the same file from being stored on network drives. The technology scans each file creating a unique identifier for it and then only stores the file.

Yet with any of the above approaches to managing tiered storage deployments, users still need to look before they leap. For example, Scentric's Destiny offers users the ability to scan and index the content of files before they are stored to expedite future data discovery. But if users set too many indexing parameters, performance and storage requirements increase as files take longer to scan and indexes consume more storage capacity to accommodate the additional search criteria.

Bycast's StorageGRID SIS feature reduces back-end storage consumption but may not provide the rapid access to data that certain servers or applications may require. Also, organizations that only store unique files such as X-rays or check images will not experience these storage savings as each X-Ray and check image is unique so duplicate files are never created. And HDS's TagmaStore USP platform still lacks any native abilities to either classify data or manage portable media like tape or optical on the backend.

New data classification and virtualization software and CAS appliances are helping users in all size shops start to bridge the gap between the promises and reality of tiered storage deployments. But other companies are still waiting on vendors such as CA Inc., EMC and Symantec Corp. to integrate their software acquisitions of the last few years and deliver products that deliver enterprisewide data classification and migration capabilities.