The new IBM DataPower 9005 series is the result of an innovative strategy in hardware for appliances, moving from individual, stand-alone rack-mounted equipment to a platform-based solution capable to support multiple hardware configurations. The flexible hardware architecture is articulated around two platforms (1U and 2U) and a set of interchangeable plug-in elements (HDD and network modules), that allows for modularity and scalability, leveraging reuse of components, lowering cost and shortening development time. IBM Industrial Design focused on improved usability, coherent building practice and an aligned design language.