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IBM ProtectTIER Reviews

Vendor: IBM
3.6 out of 5
1,491 followers
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What is IBM ProtectTIER?

IBM TS7650G ProtecTIER Deduplication Gateway is designed to meet the disk-based data protection needs of the enterprise data center while enabling significant infrastructure cost reductions. The solution offers industry-leading inline deduplication performance and scalability up to 1 petabyte (PB) of physical storage capacity per system, and can provide up to 25 PB or more backup storage capacity. Combined with IBM or third-party storage, TS7650G ProtecTIER Deduplication Gateway provides a powerful disk-based repository to improve the performance, retention and availability of backup and archive data in a small footprint for energy and cost efficiency.

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IBM ProtectTIER is the #13 ranked solution in top Deduplication Software and #87 ranked solution in best Backup and Recovery Software. PeerSpot users give IBM ProtectTIER an average rating of 7.2 out of 10. IBM ProtectTIER is most commonly compared to Rubrik: IBM ProtectTIER vs Rubrik. IBM ProtectTIER is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 58% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a financial services firm, accounting for 28% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
Deduplication Software
June 2025
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IBM ProtectTIER mindshare

Product category:
Deduplication Software
As of June 2025, the mindshare of IBM ProtectTIER in the Deduplication Software category stands at 0.9%, down from 1.3% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Deduplication Software
 
 
Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

IBM ProtectTIER reduces risks in data domains, adapts data shrinking, and offers high raw capacity ratios. They find incremental backup valuable. The command-line interface is praised. Users appreciate the automatic workload movement between storage tiers without human intervention. Cataloging is a standout feature, handling millions of frames efficiently and reducing backup time. It is found to be easy to use.
  • "The cataloging is the best feature. It takes millions of frames for the backup. It's incremental, so it takes less time to complete."
  • "Overall IBM ProtectTIER is a great solution. It is easy to use."
  • "The solution is highly stable."

Room for Improvement

IBM ProtectTIER has a steep learning curve and complex configuration wizards. Users find the technical support lacking. Integrating it with legacy equipment can be challenging. The system needs to be more user-friendly. Backups for large data volumes are slow and sometimes incomplete within a 24-hour cycle, unlike Veritas NetBackup, which handles 20 terabytes in a day.
  • "The backup for a large amount of data is slow."
  • "IBM ProtectTIER could improve by being more user-friendly."
  • "Setting up the system to work with legacy equipment is a bit complex at times."

ROI

IBM ProtectTIER provided a significant increase in data storage efficiency, which led to substantial cost savings. Users experienced shortened backup and recovery times, enabling better resource management. Many highlighted the simplified data protection process, enhancing operational productivity. Data deduplication was especially praised for reducing the overall storage footprint. Organizations integrating IBM ProtectTIER reported enhanced data reliability and security, contributing to a positive return on investment.

Pricing

The licenses for IBM ProtectTIER are capacity-based, allowing organizations to condense data. It is managed centrally, with the ability to decide on the purchasing options. Users find the solution expensive, with costs reflecting the capacity and data management needs.
  • "We have a capacity-based license, which is managed centrally for all the sites of my company."
  • "The customer can decide how they want to purchase a license. However, the price of the solution is expensive."
  • "IBM ProtectTIER is an expensive solution."

Popular Use Cases

IBM ProtectTIER is primarily used for data deduplication and backup optimization. Users emphasize its effectiveness in reducing storage consumption and enhancing data recovery times. It is chosen for its robust data protection capabilities, scalability, and ease of integration with existing systems. Users find it reliable for managing large volumes of data, providing seamless backup processes, and ensuring quick restoration in case of data loss incidents.

Service and Support

Customers appreciate IBM ProtectTIER's support team for their knowledge and quick response times. Feedback highlights personalized assistance and effective problem-solving. Clients find the customer service approachable and commend it for enhancing user experience. Users notice a smooth interaction during issue resolution and value the technical competency of support staff. IBM ProtectTIER's assistance team impresses with efficient handling of client queries, ensuring a seamless experience. Users express consistent satisfaction with the support quality provided.

Deployment

Users experienced a range of complexities with IBM ProtectTIER's initial setup. Some found it straightforward and quick, typically taking a day or two, depending on the environment. Others noted that while it is easy, it demands significant resources and knowledgeable personnel for proper management. Some encountered difficulties due to the intricate configurations required. Having competent engineers from IBM or a business partner facilitated the process despite its complexity.

Scalability

IBM ProtectTIER is considered scalable. Scaling was executed swiftly with added capacity during implementation. Both administrators and support teams confirmed scalability, with capabilities suited for enterprise companies yet potentially less ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. Around seven customers currently utilize it effectively. Rating stands at four out of five for handling increasing account demands.

Stability

Users perceive IBM ProtectTIER as very reliable. They report that the system performs well, even under high temperatures, maintaining operational status at 60 degrees Celsius. Many regard it as highly stable and rate its stability positively, giving scores such as four out of five. Stability is frequently highlighted as a strong aspect of IBM ProtectTIER.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our Deduplication Software Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
28%
Computer Software Company
25%
Real Estate/Law Firm
8%
Manufacturing Company
6%
Logistics Company
3%
University
3%
Government
3%
Healthcare Company
3%
Educational Organization
3%
Retailer
3%
Comms Service Provider
3%
Non Tech Company
2%
Outsourcing Company
2%
Performing Arts
2%
Insurance Company
2%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
2%
Energy/Utilities Company
2%
Legal Firm
2%
Media Company
2%

Compare IBM ProtectTIER with alternative products

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Learn more about IBM ProtectTIER

IBM ProtectTIER customers

Durham Police Department, Re-Store LLC, CenterGrid, pixx.io GmbH, Australian Government Department of Defence, QD, Refresco Gerber

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Product Categories

Product Categories
Deduplication Software
Backup and Recovery

Popular Comparisons

Popular Comparisons
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Rubrik vs IBM ProtectTIER
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Dell PowerProtect Data Manager vs IBM ProtectTIER
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HPE StoreOnce vs IBM ProtectTIER
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IBM ProtectTIER reviews

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AG
Technical Lead at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees
Verified user of IBM ProtectTIER
Oct 2, 2022
Provides a short-term backup, archive, and cataloging for 20,000 people in our organization

Pros

"The cataloging is the best feature. It takes millions of frames for the backup. It's incremental, so it takes less time to complete. "

Cons

"The backup for a large amount of data is slow. "

What is our primary use case?

We use IBM ProtectTIER as a short-term backup and archive. This solution is used in internal IT, so we provide it to our company. We're using the latest version of the solution. It's deployed on-premises.

There are at least 20,000 people using this solution. The number of clients is close to 1,500. All of the clients connect to the backup server and data.

What is most valuable?

The cataloging is the best feature. It takes millions of frames for the backup. It's incremental, so it takes less time to complete.

*Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Read full review (639 words)
AT
Sr. Consultant, pSeries & Open Systems at Glasshouse Systems
Verified user of IBM ProtectTIER
Nov 3, 2021
Scalable, beneficial automatic workload transfer, and highly stable

Pros

"The solution is highly stable."

Cons

"IBM ProtectTIER could improve by being more user-friendly."

What is most valuable?

One of the most valuable features in IBM ProtectTIER is the ability to automatically move a workload to the different tiers in the storage without the need for human intervention.

What needs improvement?

IBM ProtectTIER could improve by being more user-friendly.

*Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Read full review (226 words)
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AG
Technical Lead at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees
Verified user of IBM ProtectTIER
Mar 23, 2020
Good incremental backup capability, but technical support is in need of improvement

Pros

"The command-line interface is good."

Cons

"Setting up the system to work with legacy equipment is a bit complex at times."

What is our primary use case?

I am in charge of the storage and backup administration at my company. The primary use of this solution is backup and recovery.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is the incremental backup.

The command-line interface is good.

*Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Read full review (271 words)
PeerSpot user
Section Head: IT Infrastructure (Networks, Servers and Security) with 51-200 employees
Verified user of IBM ProtectTIER
Oct 7, 2019
A stable and scalable solution that reduces data domain risks

Pros

"In terms of stability, I've found it to be very stable. I've walked into the server room when it was at 60 degrees Celcius, and it was still running fine."

Cons

"The configuration wizards are still complex and hard to navigate. These should be easier to manage."

What is most valuable?

The solution reduces the risks with regard to the data domain we're running. The way it shrinks data is adaptable. With regards to the raw capacity, the ratio is quite high.

What needs improvement?

The learning curve for the solution is quite high. This has always been an issue. If they could just open up a bit, with regards to gaining knowledge on how to configure this solution apart from just having official IBM tech would be helpful.

The configurations wizards are still complex and hard to navigate. These should be easier to manage.

*Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Read full review (487 words)
ValereFEUGWANG - PeerSpot user
Information System Consultant at CFAO Technologies
Verified user of IBM ProtectTIER
Aug 2, 2019
Product version discussed: Spectrum Protect Plus
Protects data in hybrid infrastructures, but it is an expensive product with poor support

Pros

"The most valuable features are the Self-Service, and the ability to search the data."

Cons

" I would like the possibility to back up the infrastructure and then replicate it upon on restart, without having to orchestrate the starting of the VM."

What is our primary use case?

We are an integrator and this is one of the solutions that we offer to our clients.

It is used to protect data for our customers, in hybrid infrastructures that are both physical and virtual. Some customers use the IBM Power Systems, for example. We have many use cases in our country.

We are using the on-premise deployment model.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features are the self-service features and the ability to search the data.

*Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Read full review (406 words)
PeerSpot user
Project Manager at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
Verified user of IBM ProtectTIER
Jan 22, 2018
An excellent product because everyone has less time to pick up the backup

What is our primary use case?

I will highly recommend this product for excellent and quick backup solution in small and large IBM I Series environment

How has it helped my organization?

This product for excellent and quick backup solution in small and large IBM I Series environment. Completed all the 70 No's LPAR backup without any manual intervention and also in very less time in comparison with Tape Backup solutions. No manual intervention required all automated backup process.

*Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Read full review (754 words)
PeerSpot user
Service Manager at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Verified user of IBM ProtectTIER
Feb 15, 2022
Easy to use, scalable, and simple installation

Pros

"Overall IBM ProtectTIER is a great solution. It is easy to use."

What is our primary use case?

The solution can be deployed in many ways, such as hybrid or on-premise. The deployment method depends on the customer's environment.

IBM ProtectTIER is used mostly to back up the customer's databases.

What is most valuable?

Overall IBM ProtectTIER is a great solution. It is easy to use.

*Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:
Read full review (219 words)