IBM scientists have developed new cloud storage software that provides a simple interface for clients to dynamically migrate data across multiple clouds, while keeping it secure. IBM's patent-pending invention uses a technique which stores and moves data across multiple clouds. The method employs a "cloud-of-clouds" approach that invokes the resilience of separate clouds to offer stronger protection against service outages and data loss than any single cloud can deliver.

IBM scientists have developed a software toolkit, which enables storage systems to access and use third-party private and/or public clouds for data migration, backup or file sharing.

The toolkit uses an "object storage" interface that permits clients to drag and drop files to be backed up or shared on the cloud(s) of their choice ? independent of the vendor. ICStore explicitly addresses space efficiency, data synchronization, and metadata coordination when storing data redundantly on object storage. Once a cloud fails, the back-up cloud immediately responds and ensures data availability - transparently to the user. No synchronization or communication among cloud clients is needed due to the innovative approach that adds redundancy and tolerates failures.

SoftLayer, an IBM Company, is the default storage provider and it provides the object-based interface.