What Dynamic Drive Pool does

Ardis Technologies BV, operating as Dynamic Drive Pool (DDP), is a Dutch manufacturer of Ethernet SAN shared storage systems for the Media & Entertainment, broadcast, education, and mobile production markets. The company, founded by musicians Bart Thissen and Jan de Wit and headquartered in Arnhem, builds hardware appliances ranging from compact 1U microDDP units through hybrid SSD/HDD configurations to the flagship DDP10EF NVMe system, all running the proprietary A/V FS (Ardis Virtual File System). A/V FS is an in-house, scale-out, high-availability single file system that separates metadata from data, supports folder-level volumes, project-based caching, and native Avid MediaFiles sharing, enabling SSD-class performance with HDD-class capacity economics over standard Ethernet infrastructure (iSCSI, NVMe-oF/RDMA, and optionally Fibre Channel for HA configurations).

The product portfolio targets professional post-production facilities, broadcasters, mobile/OB units, and academic media programs that need multi-seat shared storage for 2K/4K/8K DPX, EXR, ProRes and DNxHD workflows. The line-up includes HyPerDDP12D (hybrid with project caching), Hybrid DDP Series, High Availability dual-head DDPs, Mini DDP24DF (24 SSDs), the Micro DDP series for mobile use, and the DDP10EF (NVMe, 40GB/s server bandwidth). Archiware P5 (backup, archive, synchronize) is bundled with every base system. Notable deployments include Hillsong (Australia), Northumbria University (UK), NIFCO Canada (Hudson & Rex), Media Zoo (UK), Assembly (Japan), De Vijver Media/SBS Belgium, and Miltenburg AV (Netherlands).

Ardis is privately held by its founders, operates without external institutional capital, and employs 11-50 people. Revenue is generated primarily through hardware appliance sales via an authorized dealer and distributor network spanning 35+ countries (DDP Deutschland GmbH in Germany, Etas in Austria, CTM in France, Trigital in Spain, Sunteq in Slovakia/Slovenia, CineSys in North America), supplemented by recurring multi-year hardware and software support contracts and dealer-delivered professional services. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is quote-based per configuration.

Name

Dynamic Drive Pool

Legal name

Ardis Technologies BV

Website

https://ddpsan.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Dynamic Drive Pool (Ardis Technologies BV) is a Dutch manufacturer of Ethernet SAN shared storage appliances for Media & Entertainment, broadcast, and education, built on its proprietary A/V FS file system and sold globally through a 35-country dealer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Shared Storage Hardware

NAICS

Computer Storage Device Manufacturing (334112)

SIC

Computer Storage Devices (3572)

akta.pro primary industry

Enterprise Storage Arrays (SAN/NAS/Object Storage) (HDACACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

HPC Storage & Parallel File Systems (Lustre/GPFS/Object) (HDACAOAF), Storage Virtualization & Software-Defined Storage (SDS) (HDABAEAF), Storage Components & Media (Platters, NAND, Heads, Tape Media) (HDACACAK)

Keywords

• Ethernet SAN storage
• Shared storage appliances
• Media storage solutions
• Broadcast video storage
• Post-production storage

Headquarters

HQ city

Arnhem

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Hardware Appliance Sales: DDP systems are sold as integrated hardware appliances (DDP base systems + storage packs). Products range from 1U microDDP units to large multi-chassis configurations. Hardware includes redundant power supplies, SSD/HDD packs, Ethernet cards, and RAID controllers.
2. Software Support Contracts: Free two-year hardware and software support included with most DDP models (one year for HyPerDDP12D). Extended support contracts available for up to 5 additional years (hardware + software), renewed annually unless cancelled two months before expiry.
3. Professional Services and Training: Remote installation support, driver installation assistance, and on-site support delivered through dealers and DDP Deutschland GmbH. Dealers such as CTM receive training and demo equipment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Dynamic Drive Pool (DDP) by Ardis Technologies BV manufactures Ethernet SAN shared storage appliances for the Media & Entertainment and HPC markets. The systems combine NVMe SSD and HDD storage in single chassis, run the proprietary A/V FS scale-out high-availability file system, and are sold in configurations ranging from 1U mobile units to extreme-performance NVMe (DDP10EF) and dual-controller High Availability systems, with bundled Archiware P5 backup/archiving.

Product overview

Dynamic Drive Pool (DDP) is an Ethernet SAN shared storage solution portfolio manufactured by Ardis Technologies BV. The product line ranges from compact 1U microDDP systems for mobile/broadcast use to high-availability dual-head configurations for broadcast facilities. Core products include HyPerDDP12D (hybrid SSD/HDD with project caching), Hybrid DDP Series (modular all-in-one-box servers), High Availability DDPs (dual-head redundant systems), Mini DDP24DF (24-SSD high-performance), Micro DDP Series (compact 1U mobile solutions), and DDP10EF (extreme-performance NVMe for 8K workflows). All DDP products run on the proprietary A/V FS (Ardis Virtual File System), a scale-out HA single file system that enables unique project caching—transparently moving media between SSD cache and HDD storage. The DDP software stack includes Archiware P5 for backup/archive/synchronization. Storage capacity scales from TB to PB by adding Data Locations (disk packs or storage arrays) without affecting the directory tree.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• A/V FS (Ardis Virtual File System): Scale-out high availability single file system developed in-house for Media and Entertainment (M&E) and High Performance Computing (HPC) applications. Supports project caching and folder volumes.
• Project Caching

Products and services

• HyPerDDP12D Hybrid shared storage server combining SSD performance with hard disk capacity. Features transparent project caching that copies project content between SSD cache and hard disks without affecting the directory tree. Built for media workflows requiring high performance at HDD pricing.
• Hybrid DDP Series Modular all-in-one-box Ethernet SAN storage servers. DDP base systems with dual 10GbE/RJ45 ports that can be filled with HD and SSD packs of various capacities. Supports parallel access to multiple Data Locations for scalable bandwidth.
• High Availability DDPs

Quantifiable outcome

• 40GB/s total server read bandwidth with DDP10EF (fully loaded NVMe configuration)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and regional.

• Archiware GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationArchiware P5 (backup, archive, synchronize, cloud access) is bundled with all DDP base systems as standard. A free AWB100 backup license is included. DDP GUI integrates P5 icons for backup, archive, and synchronization management. Archiware supports cloud archiving via major cloud protocols.
• GRAID Technology Inc.keyTechnology or IntegrationDDP10EF integrates GRAID SupremeRAID SR-1000 cards for GPU-based RAID protection of NVMe SSDs. This partnership enables RAID 5-protected NVMe flash storage for DDP's extreme-performance product line. Announced January 2025.
• InfortrendkeyTechnology or IntegrationArdis Technologies is an Infortrend Alliance Partner. The HA Dual AVFS Head with scale-out single AVFS file system manages Infortrend SAN storage arrays. Infortrend DS series arrays can be combined with the AVFS Head for HA storage configurations. Announced June 2021.
• CineSyskeyChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS dealer and co-exhibitor at NAB Show (booth SL10919 in 2025). CineSys conducts interviews with DDP leadership (Roy Folkman interviews CEO Jan de Wit as 'Media Tech Player of the Month' for NAB 2025). Relationship dates to 2010 when Brent was introduced to DDP for the Olympic Games in South Africa.
• CTM (Cinéma Tirage Maurice)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench dealer since January 2022, established 1919. CTM provides sales, technical support and installation for DDP in France, with demo equipment (microDDP10GbE, Hybrid DDP) and 7 trained engineers.
• TrigitalregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpanish dealer, announced November 2020. Trigital carries DDP products for the Spanish market.
• SunteqregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew dealer for Slovakia and Slovenia, collaboration began mid-2025 for delivery and support of DDP products in the Slovak and Slovenian markets.
• Etas High Tech Hardware Systems GmbHregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Austrian distributor. Contact: Karl Vancura, [email protected], www.etas.at. Located in Vienna.
• DDP Deutschland GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCertified German DDP dealer subsidiary, sales, service and support. Management: Sergej Sidorchuk. Located near Berlin. Provides German-language support, warranty and maintenance services for German customers.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• EditShare: EditShare offers EFS shared storage plus Flow asset management for collaborative media workflows. It is a direct M&E peer with broader integrated MAM/NLE tooling, competing against DDP for multi-seat post-production deals.
• Facilis Technology: Facilis Technology designs shared storage systems (Hub, TerraBlock) purpose-built for Media & Entertainment post-production, with cross-platform support and iSCSI/以太网 fabric. It is one of the closest direct competitors to DDP in M&E-focused shared SAN.
• Tiger Technology: Tiger Technology delivers shared storage and asset management (Tiger Bridge, Tiger Spaces) for M&E post and broadcast. It targets a similar customer profile to DDP with project/folder-based shared workspaces and cross-platform support.
• Scale Logic: Scale Logic offers HyperFS shared storage for post-production, VFX, and broadcast, with high bandwidth and HA architectures. Comparable in product positioning and vertical focus to DDP's HA DDP and DDP10EF lines.
• Small Tree Communications: Small Tree provides Ethernet-based shared storage and networking specifically for Mac-based M&E post-production environments. Comparable to DDP's microDDP and Hybrid lines for small studios and Apple-centric workflows.
• GB Labs: GB Labs provides shared storage solutions (SPACE, Echo) optimized for film, TV, and broadcast post-production workflows with high bandwidth per client. Comparable to DDP in target customers, M&E vertical focus, and Ethernet fabric architecture.

Emerging players

• OpenDrives: OpenDrives builds high-performance shared storage for M&E, VFX, and AI workloads, emphasizing hybrid SSD/HDD and software-defined architecture. Directly comparable to DDP's hybrid and project-caching positioning but typically larger deal sizes and stronger US presence.

Broad incumbents

• QNAP Systems: QNAP provides a broad portfolio of NAS and iSCSI SAN appliances (including TBS-h and TVS-h series) used by small/mid-market M&E and SMB customers. Comparable in Ethernet SAN form factor and dealer-led distribution but competes at lower price/performance tiers than DDP.
• Avid NEXIS: Avid NEXIS is Avid's proprietary shared storage tightly integrated with Media Composer. It competes directly with DDP for Avid-centric post-production facilities and represents the integrated incumbent alternative to DDP's cross-NLE approach.
• Dell EMC PowerScale (Isilon): Dell EMC PowerScale (formerly Isilon) is a scale-out NAS platform widely deployed in M&E for large-scale media archives and active editing. A broad incumbent alternative to DDP for enterprise broadcast and studio customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCwvwqAar_1t9Zes92KKZm7A
• Facebookfacebook.com/DDPSAN
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ddp-dynamic-drive-pool-by-ardis-technologies

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dynamic Drive Pool