In SharePoint servers, document content is stored inside dedicated SharePoint SQL databases, including what is known as binary large objects or BLOB content that is not necessary for queries to the database. BLOB content can be stored outside of the SharePoint SQL database to save space. 

Open Text Storage Services for SharePoint, which uses the Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 External BLOB Storage API, provides the capability to seamlessly store identical copies of documents in SharePoint only once. It accomplishes this single-instance archiving feat by keeping track of whether a document has already been stored. Multiple document copies emerge as a problem anytime SharePoint is used for team collaboration or when independent teams collaborate in a decentralised, loosely affiliated manner.

"Microsoft developed the Remote BLOB Storage API to meet the needs of customers who prefer not to store document content BLOBs inside the database,” said Bob Sutton, Microsoft Senior Product Manager for Windows SharePoint Services. “We are pleased to be able to work with partners such as Open Text to help ensure a future roadmap for their storage providers.”

Open Text Storage Services for SharePoint not only lowers overall storage costs and improves performance; it can also help enterprises meet regulatory and business requirements for information retention. For example, Open Text Storage Services for SharePoint can be used to ensure that business critical content is secured in multiple physical locations and SharePoint content can be stored on different storage devices, depending on the business and compliance needs of the content. Open Text Storage Services for SharePoint is compatible with all major storage providers including Hitachi Data Systems, StorageTek, Network Appliance, EMC, HP, IBM and Sun Microsystems.

“With SharePoint, Microsoft has provided an excellent platform for sharing information that lets teams work together to swiftly create and share content,” said Jens Rabe, Vice President of Open Text’s Microsoft Solutions Group. “Because of the productivity advantages, there is strong user demand and enterprises are able to quickly roll out SharePoint sites and applications. Open Text Storage Services for SharePoint let companies embrace decentralization, while still ensuring that broader organisational requirements around data retention are being met.”

Availability
Open Text Storage Services for SharePoint is available today. For more information, go to www.opentext.com/2/storageservice_for_sharepoint.htm