HostingCon: Cloud Storage, Backup Partner Strategies
At Boston HostingCon 2012 this week, watch for cloud storage and software companies to promote two paths for reseller success. Among the names to watch: Asigra, Intronis, Nirvanix and Vembu, among others. Here’s why.
Some companies (such as Asigra and Vembu) will promote storage software that managed services providers (MSPs) and cloud services providers (CSPs) can set up and host on their own. Other companies (such as Intronis and Nirvanix) will promote SaaS-based backup and recovery services that MSPs and VARs and white label and promote as their own to end-customers.
There are pros and cons toward each approach. For small VARs that don’t have their own data centers, the white label approach from Intronis and Nirvanix (among others) sure sounds tempting. But for VARs and MSPs that have their own data centers, it’s equally tempting to control the entire solution by licensing a complete software platform.
Not sure which path to choose? Some vendors (such as Vembu) allow to try and either-or approach.
No doubt, cloud storage services are increasingly popular with VARs and resellers. But choose your path forward wisely. The cloud backup and disaster recovery (BDR) market is filled with service providers. Many are privately held and it’s extremely difficult to determine a company’s financial health.
In addition to performing a technology evaluation, be sure to ask how your potential cloud storage partners are funded, whether they need to raise more money, and ask for partner and customer references.
In another corner, Intronis and Nirvanix
