VAST Data, a leading technology company specializing in all-flash enterprise data storage, has recently unveiled its latest offering, the VAST Data Platform. This innovative platform is designed to meet the demands of the AI-driven era by providing a unified data computing solution. By integrating storage, database, and virtualized compute engine services into a scalable system, the VAST Data Platform enables enterprises to go beyond traditional reporting and business intelligence and support deep learning applications that can tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
The rise of large language models (LLMs) has sparked a widespread exploration of AI’s potential. While the deployment of models like ChatGPT has gained traction, this is only the beginning. As these models continue to advance, AI-assisted discovery will become the norm, allowing machines to solve complex problems and achieve specialization in a matter of days that would have previously taken decades.
To support these AI applications, organizations require a data platform that simplifies data management and processing. This is where the VAST Data Platform comes into play. By offering a unified stack that captures, synthesizes, and learns from data, this platform provides a seamless experience for data management and processing, ultimately facilitating AI-driven innovation.
At the heart of it is the exabyte-scale DataStore. This scalable storage architecture is designed to capture and serve unstructured natural data while eliminating the need for storage tiering. By leveraging this component, enterprises can efficiently store and access vast amounts of data, setting the foundation for advanced AI applications.
To make sense of the captured data, the VAST Data Platform incorporates the VAST DataBase. This semantic, natively-integrated database layer adds structure to the information, enabling rapid querying at scale. By combining the functionalities of a database, data warehouse, and data lake, the VAST DataBase provides a comprehensive solution for managing and analyzing data.
The VAST Data Platform delivers intelligence through the VAST DataEngine, a global function execution engine. This component consolidates data centers and cloud regions into a single computational framework, enabling organizations to perform complex computations on a global scale. With support for programming languages like SQL and Python, as well as an event notification system, the VAST DataEngine simplifies AI pipeline management.
While the it is relatively new, several major enterprises have already embraced its capabilities. These organizations include Zoom, Allen Institute, and Pixar Animation Studios.
Pixar Animation Studios, for example, has leveraged the VAST Data Platform to consolidate their rendered assets on a single tierless cluster of storage. This allows them to utilize petabytes of data as training data for future AI applications. By moving their denoising data, ‘finals,’ and ‘takes’ datasets onto the VAST Data Platform, Pixar is laying the foundation for advanced AI capabilities in their production pipeline.
While it is already available, it is important to note that its capabilities are continuously evolving. Currently, the platform offers access to DataStore, DataBase, and DataSpace in general availability. The highly anticipated DataEngine component is set to be included in the package in 2024, according to company executives.
As organizations increasingly recognize the transformative power of AI, global spending on AI-centric systems continues to surge. According to IDC’s worldwide AI spending guide, this spending is projected to exceed $308 billion by 2026. As businesses strive to harness the potential of AI, the need for advanced data platforms like the VAST Data Platform becomes paramount.
In conclusion, the VAST Data Platform represents a significant advancement in the field of data computing for the age of AI. By consolidating storage, database, and virtualized compute engine services into a unified stack, this platform empowers enterprises to unlock the true value of their data. As organizations continue to explore the potential of AI, the VAST Data Platform provides a robust foundation for driving innovation, solving complex challenges, and shaping the future of business.
FAQs
Q: What is the VAST Data Platform?
A: The VAST Data Platform is a unified data computing solution that combines storage, database, and virtualized compute engine services into a scalable system. It enables enterprises to go beyond traditional reporting and business intelligence and support deep learning applications.
Q: Which companies are already using the VAST Data Platform?
A: Major enterprises such as Zoom, Allen Institute, and Pixar Animation Studios are already leveraging the capabilities of it. For example, Pixar has consolidated their rendered assets on the platform’s tierless cluster of storage, allowing them to utilize petabytes of data for future AI applications.
Q: What are the core components of the VAST Data Platform?
A: The VAST Data Platform consists of the VAST DataStore, which captures unstructured natural data; the VAST DataBase, which adds structure to the information for rapid querying at scale; and the VAST DataEngine, a global function execution engine that enables global computation.
Q: What is the future of the VAST Data Platform?
A: While the platform is already available, the DataEngine component is set to be included in the package in 2024. This continuous evolution ensures that it remains at the forefront of data computing for AI-driven initiatives.
Q: Why is AI becoming increasingly important?
A: AI has the potential to revolutionize industries and solve complex challenges. As businesses recognize its transformative power, global spending on AI-centric systems continues to grow, exceeding $308 billion by 2026, according to IDC’s worldwide AI spending guide.
First reported by VentureBeat.
