IBM has unveiled plans for a new Smart Business System called IBM Information Archive, an archiving repository for all types of content that address the information retention needs of midsize and enterprise clients faced with managing an increasing volume of information.

According to IBM, the Information Archive is designed for archiving a broad range of electronic based records, including e-mail, digital images, databases, applications, instant messages, account records, contracts or insurance claim documents, and other types of storage records.

IBM claims that with key contributions from its Research, System Storage and Tivoli, Information Archive leverages its expertise in designing systems to address clients’ needs by combining disk and tape within a single archive pool. It also incorporates deduplication and compression techniques to optimise storage capacity and improve productivity.

IBM also claimed that it is a secure platform that can be accessed in a private cloud computing environment, even if data is stored on tape media.

In addition, Information Archive will also be supported by IBM software applications for email, content, data and report archiving including its Optimum Data Growth Solution, Content Collector and other Enterprise Content Management offerings.

Al Zollar, general manager of IBM Tivoli Software, said: “In today’s dynamically changing environment, businesses are faced with managing a data juggernaut, and archiving that information and doing it cost effectively is a challenge. The IBM Information Archive leverages IBM’s strengths in software, disk and tape to deliver a solution that will help clients manage their information infrastructure needs.”