Promising But Low Profile Storage Companies Identified

Promising (But Low-Profile) Storage Companies Identified

By Doug Caverly
Staff Writer
Article Date: 2010-07-26

It might be impossible - or at least very difficult - to find someone who hasn't heard of Toyota. On the other hand, lots of folks don't know about the car company called Lotus. But Lotus produces sports cars that are in most ways more desirable than the average Toyota, and in the same fashion, there are some small storage companies worth a second look.

Note that the Toyota-Lotus metaphor only works so far; Toyotas are less expensive than Lotuses and have a lot more room for kids, groceries, and other stuff. Still, Chris Preimesberger recently identified "17 Promising Storage Companies Flying Under the Radar."

These companies aren't promising in the sense that they have one or two good engineers each. Preimesberger instead characterized them as "up-and-coming independent storage companies that have the potential to grow up and be an EMC or NetApp someday - if they don't get acquired first."

So here's the full list in alphabetical order: AutoVirt, Avere Systems, Caringo, Digitiliti, Egnyte, Hifn Technology, The Linux Box, Nasuni, Nexenta, Nimble Storage, Nimbus Data Systems, Nine Technology, Ocarina, Pivot3, Promise Technology, StorSimple, and Zetta.

While we've talked before about playing it safe by sticking with the big guys, these companies probably deserve a look. It would be a shame for an organization to miss out on the equivalent of an affordable Lotus Evora just because lots filled with Toyota Corollas are easier to find.

Good luck finding a company with a combination of attributes that works for you.

About the Author:
Doug is a staff writer for WebProNews. Visit WebProNews for the latest eBusiness news.