In a recent interview with SafetyDetectives, Adriana Grau, the CEO of Grau Data, spoke about the family business’s fascinating journey and its evolution into a leading software company. Grau Data was founded over thirty years ago by her father, Herbert Grau, and boasts a rich history rooted in innovation and a deep passion for data management. Inspired by her father’s entrepreneurial spirit, Adriana joined the company in 2021, bringing fresh insights and a shared vision for the future. Together, they continue to drive Grau Data’s success by combining tradition with modern advancements in data management and security.

Can you tell us the story behind the founding of GRAU DATA? What inspired you to start the company?

My father, Herbert Grau, founded GRAU Data Storage more than thirty years ago.

In 1985, GRAU was an IBM partner for the integration of the Scara robot. In 1986, IBM introduced a new cassette-based tape drive called the 3490. We decided to develop an automated tape library for mainframes, which we unveiled at CeBIT in 1988. We were the second company in the world, alongside StorageTek in Colorado, to offer a fully automated tape library. Our solution could integrate the IBM tape drive family as well as tape drives from other manufacturers such as Hitachi, Memorex, etc. In 1995, EMASS, a subsidiary of E Systems in Dallas, Texas, acquired a majority stake in GRAU Storage Systems in Germany. As part of this partnership, we sold a large number of automated tape libraries to the U.S. The U.S. government became our largest single customer during this period.

Eventually, ADIC acquired all of EMASS and GRAU Storage Systems before Quantum acquired ADIC. Herbert Grau re-founded GRAU DATA in 2000. Today, GRAU DATA is a pure-play software company that sells four software products in Germany, Europe, the U.S., and Asia.

I grew up with the family business and was impressed by the large magnetic tape robot systems even as a small child. My father’s passion for data and entrepreneurship definitely shaped me, and after gaining several years of external experience at an American software provider, I decided to join the family business in 2021. Since the beginning of this year, my father and I have shared responsibility and have been successfully leading the company as co-CEOs. This is an important milestone in our succession planning.

How does GRAU DATA differ from other software development companies on the market?

We are a German software company with our own in-house developers who have more than 30 years of experience in the market. Our development and innovation are highly market-oriented, as we work very closely with our partners and customers. As a family-run business, we have the advantage of being very fast and agile when it comes to strategic decisions and navigating dynamic trends and challenges in the market. We also have a unique culture here that is strongly shaped by family-oriented values.

What are the biggest challenges companies face today in terms of data management and security?

Data volumes are exploding; new data storage options, endpoints, devices, and applications emerge daily. The data landscape has become increasingly complex, while IT resources are scarce and cybercrime has risen. Under these conditions, the biggest challenge is maintaining control over one’s own data, which is why our slogan “Your Data. Your Control” is truer than ever.

What are the most common misconceptions about data archiving and management that you encounter?

Data archiving doesn’t have a particularly sexy reputation, as it’s often referred to as the “data graveyard.” However, data archiving isn’t an option - it’s a must. Especially in today’s world, where security poses an increasing risk. Cloud computing is an option, but we believe that cost-efficiency and data control are much better when using on-premises solutions or an MSP of your choice.

What are the key factors companies should consider when selecting a data management solution?

Scalability and flexibility, performance and reliability, as well as a user-friendly interface, are often seen as standard and taken for granted. However, the key to a future-proof solution is seamless integration with third-party applications and existing systems (API-driven). This interoperability, along with the ability to fit into a broader ecosystem, enables adaptation to new technologies and business requirements and ensures a long-term, sustainable solution.

In your opinion, what trends will shape the future of data management and storage solutions?

There are trends we’re recognizing and incorporating into our solutions: The future of data management depends on embedded metadata - the hidden superpower that will help us unlock the value of unstructured data and drive the development of AI and data science. In addition, we see a clear trend toward creating a “zero-trust” environment, as well as a “comeback” of the good old tape, which is also used by the major hyperscalers today.