Lenovo unveils data storage refresh for enterprise AI

Lenovo has introduced its most extensive refresh of data storage products to date, with a newly expanded Lenovo Data Storage Solutions portfolio that targets enterprise AI, virtualisation, and sustainability workloads.

The portfolio features 21 new ThinkSystem and ThinkAgile models, offering storage arrays, software-defined infrastructure, and hybrid cloud solutions intended to streamline AI deployment and address evolving data centre demands. The company says the updates aim to improve efficiency, performance, and scalability as businesses undertake digital transformation and integrate artificial intelligence.

Key innovations highlighted in the updated range include the Lenovo ThinkAgile SDI V4 Series for AI and virtualisation efficiency, scalable ThinkSystem Storage Arrays, converged cloud offerings, and the ThinkAgile HX Series GPT-in-a-Box system, which utilises Lenovo Neptune Liquid Cooling technology.

"The new Lenovo Data Storage Solutions help businesses harness AI's transformative power with a data-driven strategy that ensures scalability, interoperability, and tangible business outcomes powered by trusted infrastructure. The new solutions help customers achieve faster time to value no matter where they are on their IT modernisation journey with turnkey AI solutions that mitigate risk and simplify deployment," Scott Tease, Vice President and General Manager of Infrastructure Solutions Product Group at Lenovo, commented on the new lineup.

"This is a pivotal moment for our customers across EMEA. With organisations facing a range of complex challenges, our largest-ever data storage portfolio refresh delivers the performance, efficiency, and data resiliency required by Data Modernisation and Enterprise AI workloads. At a time when businesses are increasingly looking for ROI on their tech investments, these next-generation data storage solutions will empower our customers to unleash the power of their data, securely," Marco Pozzoni, Director, EMEA Storage Sales at Lenovo Infrastructure Solutions Group, added.

The 21 new models are tailored to meet enterprise demands for AI and virtualisation by providing flexible deployment, accelerated computing, and fine-tuned sustainability features. The solutions are designed to deliver easier deployment, workload consolidation, reduced total cost of ownership, and energy efficiency.

The ThinkAgile SDI V4 Series offers turnkey solutions for full-stack AI infrastructure, aiming to simplify and accelerate the deployment of AI workloads, such as large language model (LLM) inferencing. The new ThinkSystem Storage Arrays, engineered for actionable insights, claim up to three times faster performance while reducing power consumption, reportedly achieving as much as 97% energy savings and 99% density improvement compared to legacy systems featuring 10K HDDs.

With the addition of hybrid cloud and virtualisation solutions, Lenovo says these systems allow independent scaling of compute and storage capacities, with the potential to reduce software licensing costs by up to 40%. The ThinkAgile HX Series GPT-in-a-Box utilises liquid cooling to support high-powered AI applications and is expected to deliver up to 25% energy savings relative to previous generations. AI Starter Kits for the Lenovo Hybrid AI Platform are included to facilitate fast on-ramps for enterprise inferencing and retrieval-augmented generation workflows.

As organisations move towards disaggregated, shared-resource IT models, the new AI Starter Kits feature pre-validated configurations covering compute, storage, GPUs and networking. The ThinkSystem Series Storage Arrays support unified file, block, and object storage architectures to help break down data silos and take advantage of high-performance SSD flash for faster insights. Security measures in the kits include autonomous ransomware protection and transparent failover capabilities.

The ThinkAgile SDI V4 Series and new ThinkSystem Storage Arrays are positioned as full-stack, turnkey solutions for enterprise AI and data modernisation, serving workloads from databases and ERP to hybrid cloud and backup. Key use cases include AI inferencing, retrieval-augmented generation and fine-tuning AI models.

Lenovo also notes the introduction of the industry's first liquid-cooled HCI appliance within the ThinkAgile V4 series, an approach intended to improve energy efficiency for demanding AI workloads. The GPT-in-a-Box with Liquid Cooling is described as a repeatable solution for generative AI applications, aiming to decrease energy costs and accelerate AI deployment and return on investment.

The portfolio incorporates a range of data protection and security features, such as tamper-proof snapshots, software-based encryption, and AI-powered autonomous ransomware protection, built into the ThinkSystem DG and DM arrays. Lenovo's XClarity systems management software provides support for management, compliance and communication across storage products.

"Innovation is embedded in OneNet's DNA and partnering with Lenovo represents a commitment to modernizing the data center with cutting-edge solutions that drive efficiency and sustainability. Backed by Lenovo solutions and Lenovo Premier Support, OneNet can deliver high-availability, high-performance private cloud services that our customers can depend on," Tony Weston, Chief Technology Officer at OneNet, said.

With a focus on providing preconfigured, rapid-deployment solutions for enterprise AI and data modernisation workloads, Lenovo's latest data storage offerings reflect continued investment in AI-optimised infrastructure and data centre modernisation.