NetAppTips.com

I admit, I started with Marc Farley's blog as soon as I heard about 3PAR's 50% storage savings guarantee.  I could have started at their official GetThin website but that wouldn't have been nearly as entertaining.  And I mean entertaining in a good way; a great way.  This isn't a jab - I really enjoy Marc's blog!  Where else can you get an Avatar video on thin provisioning?!  Most presentations on thin provisioning have you nodding off after the lights dim and the overhead projector fans kick on.  I actually think I saw a customer shatter their spacebar after being completely lulled asleep by the Ben Stein delivery of an SE who drew the enviable post-lunch presentation timeslot.  Marc's videos, his blogs - engaging and entertaining and a great way to deliver valid info.  That's where I started to get the scoop on their guarantee and I have to tell you - I love it.

I'm sure people are expecting a big "but" here but I happen to think these guarantees are a great idea.  And, this is where the marital advice comes in: the best way to end an argument is to just agree.  Heck, most of the time I get up in the morning I just apologize to start the day.  I figure that should cover me for anything stupid I'm about to do or say.  Speaking of saying anything about getting thin, here's a little more advice.  When that special someone asks you if their pants make them look fat, stay away from comments like, "let me jog around back and let you know."  Trust me.  I'm still wearing the corrective underwear to prove it. 

I'm not going to deconstruct the guarantee or give it a good ole competitor bashing just because 3PAR is a competitor.  These guarantees are good for healthy competition and ultimately great for consumers. At one time, I remember Marc didn't seem too fond of guarantees at all.  At least he didn't threaten to quit if 3PAR came out with a guarantee and then not follow through when they actually did.  (Still waiting on that one, Chuck, although in fairness you did say that you "probably" would quit).  In fact, I'd say NetApp started a great trend for customers.  VMware launched a 50% guarantee, HDS now offers a 50% guarantee, Isilon offers a utilization guarantee, and I'm sure EMC will get around to it once they figure out how to make their technology work well for VMware environments.

Ultimately, this is all customer goodness.  The great thing about guarantees is each vendor is willing to put their money where their mouth is. I happen to like NetApp's guarantee because it pulls on several different storage efficiency levers rather than hang its hat on just one.  As we often say, your mileage will vary so it's good to have variables.