Dell will provide APEX file and protection services to Microsoft’s Azure cloud customers and supply AI services for Copilot use.
APEX is a set of compute, storage, and networking services supplied through a public cloud-like subscription model. It is a hybrid on-prem/public cloud offering. APEX File Storage is based on Dell’s PowerScale OneFS scale-out file system software. It is due to be enhanced with parallel file system support, providing faster and more scalable access to file data. Dell is trying to show that it can provide file, cyber security, and AI development services to Microsoft customers – particularly those in the Azure cloud.
Arthur Lewis, president of Dell’s Infrastructure Solutions Group, stated: “Our storage software, data protection, and service advancements help customers in Microsoft environments accelerate their transformation efforts quickly and securely.”
There will soon be a Dell-managed option for APEX File Storage for Microsoft Azure, giving customers simplified deployment and management. This service will offer burst capacity for performance-intensive AI workloads, data mobility and operational consistency across on-prem and cloud environments, and native integration with Microsoft AI tools.
This is complemented by Dell APEX Protection Services for Microsoft Azure, which will deliver Dell-managed, AI-powered cloud data protection, with data reduction, and cyber resiliency across edge locations, such as remote offices and datacenters. The cyber resiliency features zero trust security, immutability, encryption, multifactor authentication, and role-based access controls. AI-powered CyberSense threat intelligence enables “up to 80 percent less time spent on recovery,” Dell claims.
There are two new Dell security services for Microsoft environments:
- Advisory Services for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) for Microsoft has specific recommendations for Microsoft offerings.
- Managed Detection and Response with Microsoft has Dell staff monitoring, detecting, investigating, and responding to threats 24/7 across a customer’s IT environment.
The Microsoft AI-related services being introduced by Dell are:
- Accelerator Services for Copilot+ PCs with guidance on features, implementation plans, best practices, and more.
- Development and implementation services for Microsoft Copilot Studio and Azure AI helping with specific business needs.
- Implementation Services for Microsoft Azure AI Service with AI application development on-prem with Azure AI services on Dell hybrid cloud solutions for Azure.
Microsoft’s Aung Oo, VP of Azure Storage, stated: “Dell Technologies is enabling its customers to bring their existing knowledge, trusted platforms, and enterprise data to Azure to speed the adoption of critical technologies including Azure AI Services.”
Availability
- Advisory Services for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) for Microsoft and Managed Detection and Response with Microsoft services are available now.
- Dell-managed APEX File Storage for Microsoft Azure will be available in public preview beginning in the first half of 2025.
- Accelerator Services for Copilot+ PCs are available now.
- Services for Microsoft Copilot Studio, Microsoft Azure AI Studio, and Implementation Services for Microsoft Azure AI Service are available now.
- Dell APEX Protection Services for Microsoft Azure will be available beginning in the first half of 2025.
