Isilon has announced the sixth generation of its OneFS scale-out storage operating system, and two new data management software applications, SmartPools and InsightIQ.

SmartPools enables users to unify multiple Isilon storage performance tiers into a single file system, providing simplified data management and automated data movement.

Using SmartPools in combination with InsightIQ, Isilon’s new storage analytics application, administrators can optimise workflow performance by closely aligning application demands with storage resources, improving resource utilisation and reducing both capital and operating expenses.

Isilon’s SmartPools data management application creates a single file system and single point of management for all storage tiers, automatically aligning application needs with performance, capacity and cost to drive increased simplicity and efficiency across enterprise IT operations.

With SmartPools, users can consolidate a wide range of applications onto a single storage resource, eliminating the need for manual data migration between multiple systems and accelerating data access for mission-critical business processes, while reducing storage costs and management.

Isilon’s OneFS 6.0 operating system, SmartPools data management application and InsightIQ system analytics application are all available beginning July 30th. OneFS 6.0 will be available as an upgrade for existing customers and will be standard with all new Isilon system purchases. SmartPools is listed at $3,950-$9,950 per node, depending on node model. InsightIQ is listed at $1,950-$3,850 per node, depending on node model.

Isilon has also announced the appointment of two new channel partners in Australia, AGTC Consulting (AGTC) and Future Reality, targetting the biotech and digital media markets respectively.

“Bioinformatics and genome research technology generates vast amounts of data and storing this information has become one of the biggest issues for this industry” said AGTC Director Arran Greenhalgh. “Researchers need highly accessible and high capacity storage so Isilon’s scalable storage technology is the perfect solution for this market.”

Future Reality is a specialist systems integrator for the media and entertainment industries that create film and television content.

“Digital processes are now a part of every stage in film and television pipelines,” said David Edgar, Managing Director. “The almost universal use of visual effects and digital intermediates in post-production, and the move to 3D productions, has seen a massive increase in data storage requirements.

“Isilon has a respected reputation for the throughput, storage and management of data that is required by post-production facilities and broadcasters - Isilon systems are already installed at SBS, Animal Logic and Channel 7 and we aim to build up this market by meeting its growing storage demands.”

“These appointments reflect the growing range of businesses now needing sophisticated data storage systems without an army of supporting IT staff,” said Dave Demmocks, Isilon Regional Manager.

“With AGTC, Future Reality and other new channel partners, we are reaching out into new markets with competitive, easy to use storage solutions and look forward to announcing new customers in the near future.”