Dell to acquire data storage technology company Ocarina Networks

Personal computer maker, Dell Inc yesterday said that it has agreed to buy start-up firm Ocarina Networks that specialises in data storage optimisation for an undisclosed sum.

Founded in 2007 by Murli Thirumale and Goutham Rao, the San Jose, California-based privately-held Ocarina Networks sell devices designed to reduce data footprints with file-aware storage optimisation.

Their flagship product, the Ocarina Appliance / Reader, released in April 2008, uses patented data compression techniques incorporating such methods as record linkage and context-based lossless data compression.

Ocarina's compression and dedupe technology reduces data dramatically, freeing up 30-75 per cent of existing storage capacity resulting in significant capital expenditure and operational savings.

In 2007, Ocarina received $12 million in funding from private equity firms Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and Highland Capital Partners and an additional $20 million from the same investors and JAFCO Ventures in 2009.

By acquiring Ocarina, Texas-based Dell plans to have increased efficiency with a goal of radically reducing data management costs. These savings can help Dell customers make room in their budgets for other strategic investments to help their business succeed.