The 8 Major Players in Primary Storage Arrays, 2019
Enterprise data storage solutions come in a variety of shapes and sizes to meet the ever-changing needs of organizations and their increasingly complex environments. Enterprises require primary storage arrays that can serve a number of different use cases, and in the case of data storage, can range from data management to regulatory compliance. There are both small and large providers that offer software to help these companies with both niche and common challenges, though choosing the vendor(s) that are right for your specific environment can be a daunting task.
The following providers have recently been named leaders in the 2019 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Primary Storage. The report, which highlights and scores the top products in the industry, features these four tools as being cornerstones in the space. Each provider’s market share and product portfolios differ, which is what makes them interesting to the wider audience of data consumers. Niche and emerging vendors can only hope to replicate the kind of market presence that these companies have earned over a sustained period of time.
Here we provide a brief blurb about each and links to product details so you can learn more.
NetApp is a storage, cloud computing, information technology, and data management solution provider. In addition to predominantly offering on-prem storage infrastructure, the vendor also specializes in hybrid cloud data services that facilitate the management of applications and data across cloud and on-prem environments. NetApp StorageGRID is an object storage platform whose primary access method is the Amazon S3 API. The tool offers hybrid cloud workflow, and adheres to SEC and FINRA regulations.
Dell EMC enables digital transformation through hybrid cloud and big data solutions built on a data center infrastructure that brings together converged infrastructure, servers, storage, and cybersecurity technologies. The provider’s featured solution, Dell EMC Unity XT, offers multi-cloud enablement and an NVMe-ready design. Users can support virtualized applications, deploy unified storage, and address Remote-Office-Branch-Office requirements. The platform’s Unisphere management GUI also allows users to easily configure and manage storage. Dell EMC offers file and object storage solutions as well.
Pure Storage is an all-flash enterprise storage provider that enables broad deployment of flash in data centers. Its technologies enable Software as a Service (SaaS) organizations, cloud service providers, and enterprise and public sector users to deliver secure data to power their DevOps and modern analytics environments. The vendor’s platforms accelerate random I/O-intensive applications such as server virtualization, desktop virtualization (VDI), database (OLTP, rich analytics/OLAP, SQL, and NoSQL), and cloud computing. Pure Storage also enables users to adopt next-generation technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning.
HPE SimpliVity provides hyperconverged storage by converging the entire IT stack in each node, consolidation up to ten devices, and apps in a building block for virtualized workloads. Prior to HPE’s acquisition of the company, SimpliVity delivered hyperconverged infrastructure on a range of industry-standard x86 platforms. Now, HPE SimpliVity provides its software-defined solutions that are built and supported by HPE. The vendor offers two platforms, HPE SimpliVity 380 and HPE SimpliVity 2600, which can both be integrated with an intelligent networking fabric.
Hitachi Vantara assists enterprises with storing, enriching, activating, and monetizing their data. The provider offers four solutions under the umbrella of object storage: Hitachi Content Platform (HCP), HCP Anywhere, Hitachi Data Ingestor (HDI), and Hitachi Content Intelligence. Each provides object storage, file synchronization, sharing, and end-user data protection, as well as a cloud file gateway and search and analytic insights. Hitachi is also a major player in the backup and data recovery space. The vendor is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd.
IBM offers a wide range of technology and consulting services, including predictive analytics and software development. The provider offers a range of storage options, including flash storage, Software-Defined Storage (SDS), data protection software, hybrid storage arrays, Storage Area Networks (SAN), and tape storage. Through these products, IBM’s solutions support hybrid cloud storage, converged infrastructure, and virtual infrastructure. The IBM platforms provide storage for blockchain, artificial intelligence, private cloud, and SAP.
Huawei Technologies is a telecom solutions provider that offers infrastructure application software and devices with wireline, wireless, and IP technologies. The vendor has three divisions in the United States: enterprise (IP networking and router, wireless, storage, and data center security), carrier, and consumer devices (smartphones and tablets). Huawei offers all-flash storage, hybrid flash storage, cloud storage, Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI), and data management. Its HCI platform, FusionCube for Cloud, enables resource-on-demand provisioning and linear expansion.
Infinidat offers data storage systems and software products. Its InfiniBox enterprise storage system and Host Side data center provides management tools for storage and application administrators. Infinidat also offers Host PowerTools software management features that enable automating mundane and manual storage tasks like host readiness, authentication, LUN provisioning, configuration visibility, and same tool-multiple operating systems.