The File Analytics app joins the Aptare Storage Console suite, which previously included Backup Manager for backup reporting, Replication Manager, Storage Capacity Manager, Fabric Manager and Virtualization Manager for managing storage in virtual environments. The suite apps are available as standalone products or part of a package that can be managed through a common console. Hitachi Data Systems sells Aptare software through an OEM agreement, and NetApp licenses the Aptare Catalog Engine as part of its snapshot technology.

Aptare’s File Analytics app collects and aggregates unstructured data on storage arrays. Clark said instead of walking the file system for information – which can be a resource intensive process – File Analytics runs without agents for minimal impact on the storage system. It uses a compressed database developed by Aptare code-named “Bantam,” that Clark said can store more than 100 million records in less than 1.5 GB. File Analytics analyzes metada in Bantam, and uses that metada for storage tiering, compliance and to recognize and eliminate duplicate files.

HDS hasn’t disclosed that it will sell File Analytics yet, but Clark said it would be a good fit with HDS’ recently acquired BlueArc NAS platform as well as its Hitachi Content Platform (HCP) object-storage system marketed for cloud storage.

“This allows you to figure out which data to put into those respective platforms,” Clark said. “The first thing a customer asks is, ‘What should I put into those platforms?’ It can also be used to determine which information to move to the cloud.”

Aptare can use a friend like HDS to help sell File Analytics. The product will go head-to-head with Symantec Data Insight for Storage, as well as capabilities included in EMC Ionix ControlCenter, Hewlett-Packard Storage Essentials and Solar Winds Storage Manager.