IBM FlashSystem Reviews

Vendor: IBM

4.1 out of 5

111 reviews
91% willing to recommend

2,176 followers

What is IBM FlashSystem?

IBM FlashSystem products are enterprise computer data storage systems that store data on flash memory chips. Unlike storage systems that use standard solid-state drives, IBM FlashSystem products incorporate custom hardware based on technology from the 2012 acquisition of Texas Memory Systems. This hardware provides performance, reliability, and efficiency benefits versus competitive offerings.

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IBM FlashSystem is the #3 ranked solution in top Modular SAN (Storage Area Network) solutions, #5 ranked solution in top NAS solutions, and #13 ranked solution in best All-Flash Storage Arrays. PeerSpot users give IBM FlashSystem an average rating of 8.2 out of 10. IBM FlashSystem is most commonly compared to Dell PowerStore: IBM FlashSystem vs Dell PowerStore. IBM FlashSystem is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 52% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 14% of all views.

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Featured IBM FlashSystem reviews

Raanan Sitton

Vice President Sales at BELOCAL LTD

IBM FlashSystem 5300 is offered at a very low cost in Israel, which is advantageous for small companies. However, other features like deduplication and compression do not perform effectively. The price sensitivity makes it a viable option for clients with budgetary constraints, as it allows us to secure deals based on the cost rather than advanced performance.

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MD.Faisal Alam

Manager, Technical Services, IBM Storage & Backup Solutions. at Thakral

The valuable features of IBM FlashSystem include flash copy mapping, which is a procedure to collect instant point-in-time data for testing real data. There is built-in compression, a data reduction feature, and artificial intelligence-driven insights that calculate warnings and errors to redirect to customers automatically. Customers mostly use the built-in compression feature.

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Storemgr67

Storage Manager at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees

In IBM FlashSystem, data reduction is an area with shortcomings where improvements can be made in the future. In the future releases of IBM FlashSystem, I want to see synchronization in three-site replication specifically. The response time taken by the technical support team of IBM is an area where improvements are required. It takes a lot of time for me to get to IBM's second line of support to get an answer.

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IBM FlashSystem mindshare

Product category:

As of June 2025, the mindshare of IBM FlashSystem in the NAS category stands at 12.9%, down from 13.5% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

NAS

PeerResearch reports based on IBM FlashSystem reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	NAS	Jun 15, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jun 15, 2025	Download
Comparison	IBM FlashSystem vs Dell PowerStore	Jun 15, 2025	Download
Comparison	IBM FlashSystem vs Dell PowerScale (Isilon)	Jun 15, 2025	Download
Comparison	IBM FlashSystem vs NetApp FAS Series	Jun 15, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Dell PowerStore	4.4	12.1%	97%	112 interviews Add to research
Pure Storage FlashArray	4.6	N/A	99%	199 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

IBM FlashSystem's most valuable features include high performance with micro latency, IOPS capacity, virtualization, and a user-friendly GUI. It provides easy data migration and management through various advanced features such as Easy Tier, compression, storage virtualization, and deduplication. The setup is straightforward, enhancing speed, reliability, and flexibility. Users appreciate its seamless integration with other systems and the significant improvements in data reduction and management efficiency. FlashSystem consistently delivers robust and dependable hardware.

"I rate the technical support from IBM as a ten."
"I would recommend it to other users."
"The performance of the solution is noteworthy."

Room for Improvement

IBM FlashSystem requires enhancements in storage capacity, stability, and cost-efficiency. Users emphasize better deduplication and data management features. The GUI and support responsiveness need improvements, with users requesting integrated monitoring and management tools. Scalability challenges and integration complexities, particularly with cloud services, are noted. Users suggest improvements in licensure flexibility and ease of setup. Overall, deduplication technology and data reduction capabilities need significant advancements to compete with other storage solutions.

"The deduplication technology in IBM FlashSystem needs significant improvement."
"The GUI needs some improvement. An additional function that could be helpful is reducing the time it takes to delete volumes, especially if they are compressed or deduplicated."
"The GUI needs some improvement."

ROI

IBM FlashSystem users experienced an enhanced ROI with improved performance and satisfied users. The easy migration and scalability reduced the need for multiple storage solutions. IBM's compression and deduplication features, along with superior VMware integration, contributed to this. Optimization from minimized downtime and centralized storage provided better disaster recovery and time protection, while notable discounts extended the ROI lifespan. Though quantification was challenging, FlashSystem's reliability and after-sales support were advantageous.

Pricing

IBM FlashSystem pricing is perceived as high, with some users considering it competitive and reasonable when bundled or discounted. Licensing is often included, covering essentials like replication, but additional feature costs can arise for upgrades or extended features. Purchase options include perpetual and pay-as-you-go. Initial setup is straightforward, but awareness of potential extra software maintenance costs is crucial. Enterprise buyers find the overall cost justified by the solution's performance and features.

"The tool is cost-efficient."
"The solution has good pricing, but it is not cheaper."
"The price is a little bit high so is rated a six out of ten."

Popular Use Cases

IBM FlashSystem is utilized for storage virtualization, data migrations, and tiered storage. It supports environments such as VMware, databases, and ERP applications, and enhances performance for core systems like banking and healthcare. Companies use it for backup, deduplication, block storage, and to manage a wide range of workloads. It is employed across private clouds, robotic process automation, and banking, offering features like hybrid storage and integration with Power System and Spectrum Protect.

Service and Support

IBM FlashSystem customer service is rated as excellent, maintaining great relationships and efficient handling of issues. Technical support varies; some find it proactive and responsive, especially IBM's higher-level support and global assistance. However, others report challenges, such as slow response times, lack of expertise, and need for improvement in some regions. The support's effectiveness is influenced by service contracts, partner arrangements, and IBM's responsiveness, with ratings ranging from satisfactory to excellent.

Deployment

IBM FlashSystem's initial setup is generally straightforward and simple, often completed quickly. Many users report it takes just a few hours, benefitting from easy-to-follow documentation. Some note that setup can be complex if customization is required or if guidelines aren't followed correctly. Experienced teams find the process smooth and fast, leveraging existing knowledge of IBM systems. Occasionally, more advanced configurations or large-scale deployments require additional time and expertise.

Scalability

IBM FlashSystem is highly scalable, praised for ease of expansion, flexibility, and capacity to meet the needs of various enterprises. Users report seamless upgrades, dynamic data movement, and compatibility with virtualized environments. Some note challenges in certain models and mention higher costs for larger configurations, yet many appreciate its adaptability to diverse workloads. The ability to expand horizontally and vertically allows businesses to manage storage efficiently, making it suitable for both medium and large enterprises.

Stability

IBM FlashSystem is widely regarded as very stable, with users noting its robust performance, high availability, and reliable codebase. Many report minimal issues, often resolved by updates, although some mention occasional hardware failures and bugs. Stability ratings frequently reach nine out of ten, and users find it consistently reliable. Patches and enhancements have improved stability over time, making it a dependable choice for many.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our IBM FlashSystem Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

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Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

14%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Comms Service Provider

Educational Organization

Real Estate/Law Firm

Retailer

Healthcare Company

University

Insurance Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Energy/Utilities Company

Construction Company

Media Company

Hospitality Company

Outsourcing Company

Non Profit

Legal Firm

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Consumer Goods Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Transportation Company

Performing Arts

Compare IBM FlashSystem with alternative products

Learn more about IBM FlashSystem

IBM FlashSystem was previously known as IBM Storwize.

IBM FlashSystem customers

Celero, Friedhelm Loh Group, Clarks, Mingkang Natregro Health Food Group, Sofia, Etisalat Fights Fraud, UF Health Shands Hospital, Generali, Elecon Engineering Company Limited, Ventiv , Technology, CPFL Energia, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., SciQuest, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, Paddy Power, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, Interconnect Services, Severstal

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