Samsung Electronics Acquires Proximal Data

Summary:

• Samsung Electronics acquired Proximal Data, Inc., a California-based pioneer of server-side caching software with I/O intelligence that work within virtualized systems. 

Samsung Electronics Acquires Proximal Data

Acquisition Adds Server Storage Software Expertise to Samsung’s Next-generation SSD Solutions

Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced semiconductor solutions, announced that it acquired Proximal Data, Inc., a San Diego, California-based pioneer of server-side caching software with I/O intelligence that work within virtualized systems.

“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, Inc. “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.”

“Proximal Data sees tremendous value in being part of Samsung Electronics, the world leader in flash storage,” said Rory Bolt, CEO and founder of Proximal Data. “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.”

Caching software improves storage performance by controlling and storing frequently used data more efficiently. Proximal Data holds core technology in the caching software area and has been marketing AutoCache software, a virtual cache storage solution that dramatically increases virtual machine density and performance by eliminating I/O bottlenecks, without disrupting IT operations.

In 2012, AutoCache was chosen at the Flash Memory Summit as a Best of Show award winner in the category of Most Innovative Flash Memory Technology. Moreover, Proximal Data has been earning growing industry recognition as a provider of innovative caching solutions.

The Proximal Data move follows Samsung’s acquisition of NVELO in 2012, a US-based SSD caching software creator. Samsung has applied NVELO’s advanced caching software to its branded SSDs since 2013 to offer up-to-date performance and greater convenience to users.

With its acquisition of Proximal Data, Samsung has taken a major strategic step toward further improving its business competitiveness in the server SSD market, and expanding its overall SSD business in conjunction with the use of 3D Vertical NAND memory technology.