2009-02-23: CeBIT: PoINT presents innovative solutions for compliant data storage, long-term archival and efficient media production (hall 2, booth D40)
Siegen. PoINT Software & Systems GmbH presents its current product range at CeBIT. For the first time, PoINT Storage Manager will be shown. This is a universal storage management solution supporting a mixture of diverse mass storage technologies. This solution complies with the increasing requirements regarding data migration and it enables a safe storage and administration of all data in a heterogeneous storage environment. Moreover, PoINT presents its latest version of PoINT Archiver. This solution enables a network-wide, automated long-term archival. The novelty for both products is the support of NetApp appliances and tape based Qualstar products as storage and archive devices. The support of CD/DVD/BD production systems as “nearline“ archive device is revolutionary.
Additionally, the company shows PoINT Jukebox Manager, a solution for safe data storage on optical media. The newly implied readability check supervises the optical media and files in a jukebox and thus provides the possibility to check same for their readability in definable periods or on manual trigger.
PoINT’s exhibition programme is completed by presenting the latest version of PoINT Publisher NG („Next Generation“), a solution for the professional production of printed CD/ DVD/ BDs. The product controls the media production by clients. This is not only possible by an intuitive graphical user interface but also by a standard Browser, by the Batch Interface for the complete integration into existing workflows or simply by the file system.
PoINT Storage Manager – Long-term Protection of Data throughout the Network
By launching PoINT Storage Manager, PoINT Software & Systems GmbH offers a comprehensive product, which meets all requirements regarding backup, data and technology migration as well as long-term archiving of all network data. The particular strength of this new management solution is the broad support of all storage technologies combined with the innovative file-system interface named PoINT Virtual File System (“PoINT VFS”), which integrates the existing storage systems for migration purposes. The well known PoINT Tiered Archive File System (“PoINT TAFS”) completes this solution by network-wide HSM functionality. Another highlight of PoINT Storage Manager is the backup of databases which are controlled by network agents. This way, especially incremental changes can be identified and limited to the necessary minimum by implementing Snapshot technology. Currently, PoINT Storage Manager supports MySQL, MS SQL and Oracle dBase. Another main characteristic of PoINT Storage Manager is the integrated migration function: Existing storage systems are integrated into the innovative PoINT VFS so that current applications can use them without changes. The user determines by definable rules which data is to be migrated and whether or how long respectively, the superseded storage system shall be in operation. Migrations will be carried out automatically in the background and – most important – without effecting the applications. PoINT Storage Manager virtualizes the different connected storage devices and offers a standard and transparent access for both users and applications on the existing systems.
PoINT Archiver: Secure and Tiered Archival Using Standardized Hardware
Moreover, PoINT exhibits its latest version 3.2 of PoINT Archiver. This software supports network-wide and automated file based archival. With the help of a user friendly wizard, the user defines rules, which determine when the software shall archive, migrate or delete files. The creation date, the document name or the file size can be included into these rules. Additionally, the user determines the storage medium (hard disk, tape or optical technologies) on which the data shall be written. Via the so called TAFS clients even servers within the network can be integrated into the archiving process. This way they might even become the first level (“tier”) of a tiered archival solution. PoINT Archiver detects the manipulation of a storage medium or a file via a “digital fingerprint“. It is stored in an encrypted way on every medium and in the database – and gives information about the integrity of the data. This way, even deleted or altered documents can be identified.
Newly Supported Hardware
NetApp Filer and Qualstar Tape Libraries are now supported as storage or archive device, respectively, by PoINT Storage Manager and release 3.2 of PoINT Archiver. Of course, special NetApp filer features like SnapLock® and Retention are included. Another new feature is the implementation of BD production systems as optional „nearline“storage system. This way, 2,5 TB of data can be archived by a BD production system and a capacity of 50 media.
Media Quality Check Ensuring the Long-Term Availability of Archived Data with PoINT Jukebox Manager 6.0
Another product presented at the PoINT booth is PoINT Jukebox Manager 6.0, with which companies can store their data safely in BD jukeboxes. Of course, jukeboxes of all other optical technologies are continuously supported. This way, data is physically unchangeably fixed and the possibility of manipulation is eliminated. The new readability check controls optical media and files in definable periods or on manual trigger for their readability. Subsequently the administrator receives a notification and in case of need he can produce copies of the media in time. In combination with the classic protection measures like mirroring or server clustering, this option even improves the long-term availability of data on optical media.
The Next Generation of CD/DVD/BD Publishing Solutions - Web Client and Load Balancing included
The latest version 2.0 of PoINT Publisher NG is shown as a solution for the production of labelled CD/ DVD/BDs. Whereas the server components control the connected CD/DVD/BD production systems, the intuitive graphical user interface of the client application creates copies of media, new data discs, audio discs, video CD/DVD/BDs and transmits same to the server with only a few mouse clicks. The production and device status can be controlled network-wide.
Moreover, web clients can start production jobs with the help of a browser. This way, the jobs can be sent to the server – even via the internet – and actually the production status can also be controlled. The web client does not need to be installed and does not depend on a special operating system. Consequently an automated and centralized production of media on a professional production system is now also possible for Mac or UNIX user . If required, media production can also be controlled without client application over the file system. Therefore, the required files are copied to a pre-defined folder on the server. This feature, developed by PoINT, is called Event Controlled Recording (ECR) and it enables the network-wide implementation of CD/DVD/BD production systems, even in heterogeneous networks. Whereas ECR is an easy to use and comfortable solution to integrate media production in existing workflows, the Batch Interface of PoINT Publisher NG even brings this solution to perfection. Hence, comprehensive solutions can be realized – just think of „Patient CDs“, “Direct Marketing“ or “Just-In-Time-Production“.
To produce as many media in as short time as possible, PoINT Publisher NG assigns the production jobs to maximum four different production systems – if required (“Load Balancing). Besides the increase in efficiency also the reliability of the production environment is increased.
About PoINT
PoINT Software & Systems GmbH, situated in Siegen, is specialized in the development of software products and systems solutions for storage and management of data using all available mass storage technologies like optical media, hard disks and magnetic tapes. Close collaboration with leading hardware manufacturers enables an early support of innovative storage technologies. Besides these complete solutions PoINT also offers its know-how as Software-Development-Kits, which can be easily integrated in other applications, as well as project solutions and consultancy. PoINT products are distributed by 50 partners in more than 25 countries world-wide and have been installed successfully in more than 2 million installations. The PoINT product portfolio ranges from recording and duplication of CD/DVD/BDs, professional audio- and video recording to business critical network solutions, which are based on automated systems with optical me-dia, tapes and hard disk.