Artisan Infrastructure Introducing Object Based Cloud Storage Platform

Artisan Infrastructure Inc., a wholesale Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) provider, announced the addition of Object Based Cloud Storage to enablecompetitive cloud storage options for service providers.

The new offering, included as part of Artisan Infrastructure’s virtual Private Data Center (vPDC) platform (Cornerstone), reduces the costs, capital resources, complexity and security concerns of alternative offerings or on-premise solutions while improving data accessibility.

Priced at $.029/GB, Object Based Cloud Storage offering allows MSPs, CSPs, telcos, VARs and other IT service providers to deploy and manage their own business-class cloud storage solutions at a price point that is up to 70% below Rackspace.

Using Artisan Infrastructure’s vPDC, service providers have greater control and deployment flexibility in the way they manage and oversee a broad range cloud storage services such as backup, DR and file sync and share. Artisan Infrastructure’s engineer-level support ensures that service provider customers remain online for maximum uptime and QoS.

File- and object-based storage is a driver of growth in the overall enterprise storage market. According to market research firm IDC, "The worldwide file- and object-based storage market continues to gain momentum with revenues exceeding $23 billion in 2013 and forecast to reach $38 billion in 2017."

As a result of increasing enterprise storage consumption, driven by mobile, social, and cloud-based applications, there is pressure to leverage IP-based storage options in order to contain costs. With tier one industry stalwarts staking their claim to meet the increasing customer demand for cloud storage, service providers are seeking competitively advantageous, yet affordable solutions which will allow them to compete effectively against Amazon Web Services, Rackspace, Google, Microsoft, HP cloud Storage Services and other top market participants.

Advantages of Object Based Cloud Storage option
for service providers:

• Cost-Competitive: provides low cost option with pricing that is 70% below Rackspace at $.029/GB.
• 100% Wholesale Only: maintains a 100% wholesale only business model and enables Telcos, MSPs, CSPs, VARs and other IT service providers deliver cloud-based storage solutions. This focus guarantees the complete absence of conflict in the channel.
• Control: offering provides service providers with complete autonomy, control, security and visibility when building independent cloud storage service offerings.
• Cloud Storage Options: Service providers leveraging the object-based cloud storage platform gain access to a large and growing portfolio of templates from technology providers that include Anchor, TwinStrata, Maldivica, Mezeo, Vembu, Ctera and PHD Virtual.

Artisan Infrastructure’s wholesale IaaS business supports hundreds of MSP’s, CSPs, telcos, VARs, data center operators, and ISVs to create profitable cloud practices by establishing vPDC as their own cloud infrastructure while maintaining control of their customer base and service offerings. The Object Based Cloud Storage offering is a platform available to certified solution ecosystem partners. The company is also building relationships with hardware and software vendors to establish Cornerstone as the foundation for their cloud storage solutions.

"Conflicts abound in the managed services space, making it difficult for service providers to build and grow a business without competing with their vendors or having vendor attachment to their customers," said Wayne Pauley, senior analyst, Enterprise Strategy Group. "Artisan Infrastructure takes a hands-off approach that gives service providers greater customization of the services they offer and the freedom to operate without vendor interference. Artisan’s object-based storage platform is an example of this as it allows market specific services based on the MSP’s target audience."

As an adopter of Artisan Infrastructure’s cloud storage offering, Cloud49 plans to deliver on the opportunity of this growing market segment.

"Artisan Infrastructure’s wholesale model will allow us to build, manage, and own our own cloud storage solutions without the cost and complexity of operating our own data center," said Nathaniel Gates, president, Cloud49. "The company’s approach has simplified the delivery of cloud services, thereby expanding the window of opportunity for partners like ourselves."

"By aligning our cloud-based infrastructure with our extensive ISV ecosystem we allow our service provider partners to take possession of their own industry-leading solutions. This frees them from encroachment by alternative vendors who sell to their partners then compete for the same customers," said Brian Hierholzer, CEO, Artisan Infrastructure. "Counter to that, we work with partners to streamline their businesses as they develop and build their own businesses without having to fund their competitors. Our new cloud storage option gives partners the opportunity to extend their portfolios in one of the fastest growing segments of the market."

Pricing and Availability
The Object Based Cloud Storage platform is available as a free unlimited capacity trial for 60 days. Availability will be announced on October 15, 2013 with service provider pricing to be set at $.029/GB.

To participate in the trial (registration needed)