Acquisition strengthens Samsung’s SSD arsenal

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Acquisition strengthens Samsung’s SSD arsenal



Samsung Electronics yesterday announced it has acquired Proximal Data, an American company that specializes in solid-state drive (SDD) caching software, as it aims to reinforce its big data capabilities.

Proximal Data, which is based in San Diego, has a core technology known as AutoCache that boosts server performance by controlling and storing frequently used data more efficiently, according to Samsung.

The Korean tech giant said the AutoCache software, Proximal Data’s award-winning virtual cache storage solution, improves virtual machine density and performance by eliminating “input/output (I/O) bottlenecks” without disrupting operation.

“We are delighted to have Proximal Data join us, which will enable us to enhance our competence in SSD-based software for server systems,” said Bob Brennan, senior vice president of the memory R&D team at Samsung Semiconductor. “With this acquisition, we will be able to further expand our SSD business in the server and data center markets, while continuing to provide the most advanced SSD solutions to customers.”

Samsung didn’t disclose the price of the acquisition, although the company said that the price is lower than industry insiders’ estimation of $40 million. Proximal Data, founded in 2011, sees joining Samsung as a chance to grow.

“We are excited at the opportunity to enhance our AutoCache, as well as to create revolutionary new products in enterprise storage, the potential of which will be greatly improved with access to the full capabilities of Samsung,” said Rory Bolt, CEO and founder of Proximal Data.

Samsung’s acquisition of Proximal Data follows its purchase of Nvelo in 2012, also a U.S.-based developer of SSD caching software. Samsung said it has applied Nvelo’s advanced software to its branded SSDs since last year.

While Nvelo’s software is mainly for PCs, Proximal Data’s software covers servers, which indicates that Samsung is expanding its overall SSD business in conjunction with its 3-D vertical NAND memory technology.

According to American technology research firm Gartner, the global SSD market was $11 billion last year, but is expected to grow to $23.5 billion by 2017.

BY JOO KYUNG-DON [kjoo@joongang.co.kr]



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