Leverage SAN storage connectivity by integrating a layer of intelligence – the IBM Storwize V7000 – to facilitate storage application data access independence from storage management functions and requirements. Focus on planning and implementation tasks associated with integrating the IBM Storwize V7000 into the storage area network. Exploit both internal storage of the IBM Storwize V7000 as well as SAN attached external heterogenous storage to centralize storage provisioning to both Fibre Channel and iSCSI host servers from common storage pools. Improve storage utilization effectiveness via thin provisioning. Implement storage tiering and optimize solid state drives (SSD) usage with Easy Tier. Facilitate the coexistence and migration of data from non-virtualized to the virtualized environment.