BTEX 2024: Transforming IT Infrastructure with Dell PowerFlex and Apex Platforms
Christopher Kuppek, Director of Storage and Multicloud Solutions at Dell, shared insights into Dell’s initiatives for powering AI innovation, modern data centres and software-defined infrastructure innovations built to reduce IT complexity.
Christopher Kuppek, Director of Storage and Multicloud Solutions at Dell, recently shared valuable insights into contemporary IT infrastructure strategies during a session at CDW’s 2024 Business Technology Expo (BTEX). His presentation focused on the need for highly interoperable infrastructures and simplifying modern hyperconverged solutions.
This blog covers the key points from his talk, including the role of AI, modern data centres, multicloud strategies and specific technologies like Dell’s PowerFlex and Apex cloud platforms.
Artificial intelligence and data centres
AI continues to be a significant focus in the tech industry. Kuppek emphasized its transformative potential, noting that "customers not only believe that artificial intelligence is going to change the way that they work, but it’s also going to change the industries that they operate in." The infrastructure to support AI, including Dell’s partnerships with companies like Intel, AMD and Nvidia, is critical in developing robust solutions for AI applications.
Transition to modern data centres
Modern data centres are evolving rapidly, driven by several "mega trends." One notable trend is the shift from private to hybrid and multicloud strategies. According to Kuppek, "When we look at multicloud strategies, what we are seeing is almost a dismissal of the idea of private cloud." He highlighted the challenges companies face in integrating these strategies across various platforms, with many customers struggling to derive value from their multicloud implementations.
Despite the growing adoption of cloud technologies, on-premises storage remains relevant. This perspective is supported by substantial growth in on-premises storage, driven by data-intensive applications like AI. However, this growth also brings significant increases in energy consumption, posing new challenges for data centre operations.
Addressing security and sustainability
Dell’s approach highlights security and sustainability as integral to modern data centre strategies. The increasing complexity of the threat landscape requires robust prevention and mitigation strategies. "It's not just about prevention; it's about being prepared for when an incident occurs," Kuppek emphasized.
Sustainability also plays a crucial role, with strategies aimed at reducing the environmental impact of data solutions. Optimizing energy consumption in data centres is a key focus, particularly given the high energy demands of AI platforms.
Dell PowerFlex: Versatile software defined infrastructure
Kuppek provided a comprehensive overview of PowerFlex, emphasizing its versatility and robust capabilities. "PowerFlex is a software-defined solution that Dell has had in our portfolio for many years," he noted, underscoring its long-standing presence in Dell's technology suite.
Unlike traditional hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) solutions that are often limited to supporting virtualized machines, PowerFlex stands out by offering support across various environments, including bare metal, virtualized machines and container-based technologies.
This broad support spectrum makes PowerFlex an adaptable solution for customers with diverse IT infrastructures. Kuppek highlighted that PowerFlex allows organizations to tailor their infrastructure to meet specific needs, whether they are running legacy applications on bare metal, leveraging virtual machines for flexibility or deploying containerized applications for microservices-based architectures.
Apex cloud platforms
In addition to PowerFlex, Kuppek introduced Dell’s Apex cloud platforms, designed to enhance flexibility in cloud adoption and management. Apex cloud platforms provide a suite of services that enable organizations to implement and manage their cloud and virtualization strategies effectively.
This approach is particularly relevant as businesses increasingly seek to optimize their cloud environments for cost, performance and scalability. Kuppek explained that the Apex cloud platforms are structured to offer end-to-end solutions, covering Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS).
Integration and future prospects
Both PowerFlex and Apex cloud platforms exemplify the trend toward more flexible and integrated IT solutions. By supporting a wide range of deployment models and cloud services, these technologies can help organizations navigate the complexities of modern IT environments.
Kuppek emphasized that Dell offers a variety of consumption models for these solutions within a broader infrastructure strategy for maximizing customer benefits. "Our customers who want to forego the idea of CAPEX dollars when it comes to technology investments and want to pay per drip – PowerFlex and the entire Dell technology portfolio can be consumed that way," he stated.