text: **10.1 Easy Tier**
  
  IBM Spectrum Virtualize includes the IBM System Storage Easy Tier function. It enables 
  automated subvolume data placement throughout different storage tiers, and automatically 
  moves extents within the same storage tier to intelligently align the system with current 
  workload requirements. It also optimizes the use of Flash drives or flash arrays. 
  
  Many applications exhibit a significant skew in the distribution of I/O workload: a small fraction 
  of the storage is responsible for a disproportionately large fraction of the total I/O workload of 
  an environment. 
  
  Easy Tier acts to identify this skew and to automatically place data to take advantage of it. By 
  moving the “hottest” data onto the fastest tier of storage, the workload on the remainder of the 
  storage is significantly reduced. By servicing most of the application workload from the fastest 
  storage, Easy Tier acts to accelerate application performance, and increase overall server 
  utilization. This can reduce costs in servers and application licenses. 
  
  **Note:**Easy Tier is a licensed function, but it is included in base code. No actions are 
  required to activate the Easy Tier license on IBM Storwize V7000. 