Hitachi Vantara launches new AI solutions & discovery service

Hitachi Vantara has announced the general availability of its new offering, Hitachi iQ, alongside a new AI Discovery Service aimed at aiding businesses in becoming AI-ready. The release follows a recent survey by Enterprise Strategy Group, which revealed that while 97% of organisations prioritise generative AI (GenAI), only 37% believe their infrastructure and data ecosystems are sufficiently prepared for implementing these solutions.

The Hitachi iQ portfolio encompasses AI-ready infrastructure, solutions, and services, designed to meet high standards of performance and reliability. This initiative aims to support customers by seamlessly powering their critical AI applications. The portfolio’s first infrastructure offering includes NVIDIA DGX BasePOD certification, which underscores the platform’s commitment to handling extensive bandwidth and speed requirements essential for current AI workloads.

"NVIDIA DGX BasePOD certification not only tells you that this solution has met rigorous standards for reliability and performance, but it also represents a significant upgrade to handle the extensive bandwidth and speed required by today's networks," said Octavian Tanase, Chief Product Officer of Hitachi Vantara. "Hitachi iQ is equipped to handle the most demanding AI workloads, helping our customers enjoy seamless, high-speed AI operations that keep them ahead of the curve."

Hitachi Vantara's AI Discovery Service, designed to complement the iQ portfolio, offers customers assistance in identifying valuable AI use cases, assessing data readiness, determining return on investment (ROI), and creating a strategic roadmap for implementing AI successfully. Options within this service range from a three-week Discovery programme to a comprehensive 12-week Advisory and Jumpstart programme, which includes technology assessment, proof of concept scoping, and production planning.

Jeb Horton, Senior Vice President of Global Services at Hitachi Vantara, emphasised the comprehensive approach taken by the company, stating, "AI solutions require a combination of tools, technologies, platforms, and frameworks that facilitate model development, deployment, and management. By combining the industry expertise of Hitachi and its group company partners such as GlobalLogic with the Hitachi iQ solutions portfolio, the company offers a unique blend of infrastructure and services capabilities to provide the market with customised, industry-specific tools."

Additionally, Tony Paikeday, Senior Director of DGX Systems at NVIDIA, remarked on the collaborative effort between the two companies. "Organisations across industries are looking to build the right AI platform that will help them turn their data into intelligence. The combination of solutions built on NVIDIA’s DGX platform and software, coupled with Hitachi Vantara's expertise in AI discovery and planning, will help provide customers with a foundation to turbocharge their generative AI capabilities."

Hitachi iQ integrates Hitachi Content Software for File solution, enabling customers to accelerate and optimise their time to insights, driving transformational outcomes for their businesses. This global rollout aims to support various industry sectors, including rail, energy, and manufacturing, by integrating IT infrastructure with business applications.

The new AI Discovery Service and the Hitachi iQ solutions are now available worldwide, offering organisations mechanisms to consume data infrastructure while providing improved on-premises performance and a better ROI.