EMC and NetApp have won a tender for a five-year contract, with an option for a further two years, to supply storage systems to the IDF. The contract period is a long one for a computing contract with a public body. No comment has been received from the companies on the report.
Sources inform "Globes" that the contract is worth $100-120 million, spread over five years. In contracts like these, there is no sum fixed in advance, but the amount mentioned is in line with the pace and scope of procurement in past years.
This time, the army's technical specifications in the contract were similar across all the units concerned, in contrast to previous technology procurement contracts, in which each unit worked with a different architecture, according to its own preference.
Over the years, the IDF has procured various storage systems, spending an average of $20-25 million annually. The new systems will be paid for out of US military aid.
An important part of the contract relates to software, which has become a focus of innovation in storage systems. For example, the IDF is buying data deduplication software, which eliminates redundant duplication of files, and virtualization software.
One of the conditions of the contract is an option for the IDF to conduct a separate pricing process for the software that accompanies the storage systems.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 13, 2010
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