German storage solution software vendor Open-E is adding new features to the software its partners use to build custom systems for end users.The new features include iSCSI active-passive failover, which allows two storage units to be configured such that one automatically mirrors the other and takes over in case of failure; and write-once-read-many capability, for businesses that need to meet regulatory requirements for incorruptible data storage. "You can only change the data by reformatting the hard drive or destroying it with a hammer," said Krzysztof Franek, Open-E's president and CEO. The company expects to add NAS and active-active failover in future versions of the software.

James Huang, product marketing manager at Open-E partner Amax Information Technology, hailed the move: "It will let us compete with companies like NetApp and EMC feature-wise, "he said. "The price point of the Open-E solution, combined with the new features, makes it a much more attractive alternative for customers."ChannelWeb