NEWARK, Calif., Oct 30 — SMART Storage Systems, an innovative and rapidly emerging enterprise SSD technology provider, today announced its award-winning Guardian Technology Platform has enabled the use of 19nm multi-level cell (MLC) NAND Flash for enterprise applications. Through support for the smaller, more cost effective 19nm process node, SMART Storage Systems' next generation solid state drives (SSDs) provide enterprise data center and cloud environments with the industry's best combination of performance and endurance, and lower the storage total cost of ownership (TCO) for users.

For years, OEMs and enterprise organizations have looked to SSD performance to meet new throughput requirements being placed on the data center. However, due to the high costs associated with higher endurance enterprise MLC (eMLC) or single-level cell (SLC) SSDs, enterprise data centers frequently turn to consumer-grade MLC SSD solutions. Because they are not designed for mixed workload applications, consumer-grade MLC-based SSDs quickly burnout in enterprise environments. This issue is compounded as Flash geometry continues to get smaller, and native MLC Flash endurance is reduced, increasing organizations TCO due to drive replacement costs. SMART Storage Systems' proprietary Guardian Technology Platform drives additional endurance from consumer-grade MLC Flash through a proprietary suite of enterprise features and endurance enhancement technologies, enabling organizations to avoid the need to replace SSDs prior to the end of the warranty period.

The Guardian Technology Platform is comprised of three key elements designed to optimize performance across all functions in the SSD: FlashGuard, EverGuard, and DataGuard. FlashGuard enables the use of more cost-effective MLC Flash by allowing Flash wear out to be dynamically monitored and adjusted to maximize drive life, overcoming the endurance challenges presented as the Flash process node shrinks. Additionally, by managing the physics of the Flash and not just relying on extensive error recovery techniques, SSD performance remains stable over the life of the drive. DataGuard and EverGuard combine to provide superior data integrity by protecting user data from corruption, and preventing the loss of data in the event of unexpected power interruptions.

"As the industry moves to smaller Flash process nodes in an effort to drive down cost, it becomes exponentially harder for SSD vendors to meet enterprise endurance and performance requirements," said John Scaramuzzo, president of SMART Storage Systems. "From day one, we have focused on making the most cost-effective Flash media enterprise ready. With the Guardian Technology Platform, we are able to manipulate the physics of NAND Flash in ways that no other SSD vendor can claim. By bringing this same capability to the 19nm Flash node, we can take advantage of the most cost-effective Flash, and pass the benefits directly to our users, without compromising on performance or reliability."

About SMART Storage Systems

SMART Storage Systems is a technology leader in the design, development and deployment of current and next-generation enterprise solid-state storage products. Combining leading-edge, enterprise-class design and proven world-class support, SMART Storage Systems leverages its deep expertise in Flash and enterprise storage technology. SMART Storage Systems delivers high-quality, high-reliability solutions to a broad customer base including tier one storage and server OEMs. In support of these designs, SMART Storage Systems provides award-winning innovations in solid-state storage technology, such as NAND high-endurance Guardian technology, to a variety of customers in the enterprise storage, enterprise server, data center, defense and industrial markets. SMART Storage Systems is part of the SMART family of global companies. See www.smartstoragesys.com for more information.

About SMART Worldwide Holdings

The SMART family of companies are leading designers, manufacturers and suppliers of electronic subsystems for the most demanding OEMs around the world. The SMART companies have led the way over the past 23 years providing standard and custom products to today's leading global OEMs crossing all major electronic industries. These industries include PC, enterprise and industrial servers, networking, telecom, defense, aerospace, gaming and embedded application markets. Taking innovations from the design stage through manufacturing and delivery, SMART Modular Technologies has developed a comprehensive memory product line that includes DRAM, SRAM and Flash memory in various form factors. SMART Storage Systems offers high-performance, high-capacity SSDs for enterprise storage, enterprise server, data center, defense, aerospace, industrial automation, medical and transportation markets. SMART's presence in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Latin America enables it to provide its customers with proven expertise in international logistics, asset management and supply-chain management worldwide.

-----

Source: SMART Storage Systems