Pure offers modular approach to storage maintenance

All-flash storage startup Pure Storage has announced a modular maintenance model under which customers are provided financial incentives to keep controllers and disk up-to-date.

The vendor's 'Forever Flash' program provides two options for customers: a customer can re-baseline maintenance payments whenever they purchase more storage, and can also get a free controller upgrade if they renew a maintenance contract after year three. 

The program is designed to allow for a more modular purchase of storage. Customers can reduce the amount of upfront CapEx required to buy a new storage capability by investing only in a controller and enough flash disk to see them through the first year. Customers can then buy more flash as required, and gain some benefit off maintenance costs for every purchase.

Further, the program smooths out storage spend over time. A customer can choose to upgrade to a new controller every three years, but invest in capacity as required.

The benefit for Pure Storage is a more consistent cashflow from customers, and lower costs in terms of keeping older parts. Arguably the ease of upgrade is also designed to help the vendor prevent customers from seeking out competitive bids for storage upgrades.