IBM acquires RamSan solid state memory array maker Texas Memory Systems (TMS) for an undisclosed sum as the company looks to invest in flash-based technology.
Founded in 1978, TMS is a privately owned company and employs around 100 staff. As well as solid state memory, the company makes PCIe disc cards and has a server-caching deal with NEVEX technologies.
IBM plans to integrate the TMS product portfolio within its own storage, server, software and PureSystems offerings.
IBM systems, storage and networking GM Brian Truskowski says "solid state technology is a critical component of our new Smarter Storage approach to the design and deployment of storage infrastructures, and part of a holistic approach that exploits flash in conjunction with disk and tape technologies to solve complex problems."
According to IDC solid state memory shipments to enterprise will exceed 3 exabytes by 2016. As more vendors add flash-based offerings to their portfolios, we now wait to see the HP and Dell reactions to the IBM purchase.
