Executive Summary
In today’s volatile IT landscape, organizations face a unique blend of cost, performance, and risk pressures—especially when it comes to storage, cloud infrastructure, and network connectivity. In a recent Tech Talk with a leading cloud and data platform provider, we explored how new approaches to object storage, managed connectivity, and disaster recovery can help IT leaders optimize spend, ensure resilience, and unlock greater business agility.
Key Takeaways
- New object storage models enable substantial cost savings (sub-$7/TB rates) without compromising security or vendor neutrality.
- Internationally competitive managed connectivity can accelerate cloud adoption and reduce complexity for multi-site organizations.
- Cloud-native data protection and disaster recovery as-a-service (DRaaS) can lower TCO and reduce operational risk, especially amidst ongoing changes in the VMware/Broadcom ecosystem.
- Modern platforms are enabling faster migrations, stronger governance, and seamless integration with existing ITSM and monitoring tools.
- Choosing modular, consumption-based services helps IT teams de-risk transformation and maintain business continuity.
The Current Landscape: Why Storage and Connectivity Decisions Matter Now
IT leaders are confronting a perfect storm of rapid vendor consolidation, escalating software licensing costs, cloud repatriation trends, and the growing need for secure, cost-effective data protection. Notably, dramatic shifts in the cloud market—driven by vendor acquisitions and evolving security threats—have made yesterday’s decisions obsolete almost overnight.
Cloud providers and managed service partners have responded by consolidating platforms, broadening international reach, and negotiating significant cost reductions, especially for storage and network connectivity. These innovations create new opportunities for CIOs and infrastructure managers to revisit long-term tech roadmaps.
Insights from the Tech Talk: Storage, Connectivity, and Resilience Redefined
During the session, experts from our technology partner (a top cloud platform integrator with over 1,400 employees and eight successful acquisitions since 2021) discussed the drivers and details behind five core solution plays for 2024:
- Cost-Disruptive Object Storage
- The provider leverages close partnerships with major public cloud backends to deliver flat rate object storage at rates under $7 per terabyte—typically 30–45% less than traditional hyperscale storage, including usage fees.
- Built-in immutability enhances cyber resilience and makes the solution a strong foundation for security-first storage, particularly for data protection workloads.
- Designed for 3+ data center redundancy, the offering directly addresses recent industry concerns about single-site data loss.
- Seamless Cloud Data Protection & Archival
- Strategic co-development with leading backup vendors means optimized compatibility and new features: for example, long-term archival for Cohesity customers at flat, predictable rates.
- Ability to reduce storage requirements for archival copies by up to 50%, without requiring extra licensing or complex configuration changes.
- Storage solutions can be procured via public cloud marketplaces, supporting clients’ existing spend commitments and procurement workflows.
- Competitive Managed Connectivity—Now International
- Through expanded points of presence and deep integration with cloud provider backbones, the partner delivers managed network connectivity (including last mile, Internet, SD-WAN, and monitoring) that’s competitive both in the US and abroad.
- For organizations with large footprints or international reach, network expansion can be deployed virtually within weeks—enabling rapid cloud adoption without massive upfront investments.
- Connectivity is modular: clients can start with circuit monitoring/observability, then add management or proactive support as contracts and needs evolve.
- Disaster Recovery as-a-Service (DRaaS) and Business Continuity
- Demand for managed DRaaS solutions is up 114% year-over-year, driven by new licensing models and higher costs for maintaining on-premises and secondary data centers.
- DRaaS delivered on a consumption basis (pay only for use), minimizing upfront costs and operational overhead.
- Clients benefit from advanced runbook automation, business continuity management, and the ability to maintain compliance even as IT teams become more siloed.
- Private Cloud and Cloud Repatriation Trends
- Private cloud adoption is growing across all segments—driven by rising colocation costs, software licensing hikes, and the need for dedicated infrastructure control.
- Modular private cloud offerings include managed security, built-in replication, and simple, predictable billing—addressing concerns about supply chain, staffing, and platform lock-in.
- Migration assessments show that flat-rate private cloud can be up to 50% less expensive than comparable public cloud setups, while offering enhanced patch management and security.
Solution Approach: Architecture, Integration, and Governance
- Architecture: Solutions are vendor-agnostic, leveraging best-of-breed public cloud infrastructure (e.g., hyperscale storage, global backbone) while abstracting complexity for customers.
- Integration: Full integration with leading data protection, ITSM, and network monitoring platforms—for example, LogicMonitor for observability and ticketing integration with standard enterprise systems.
- Security & Governance: All solutions emphasize multi-site redundancy, immutable storage options, and compliance-aligned disaster recovery planning.
- Scalability: Services are modular and consumption-based, supporting expansion from single workloads to multi-site/global footprints as business needs change.
Outcomes and Impact
Clients adopting these approaches have reported:
- Cost Savings: Flat-rate storage and licensing enable immediate reduction in storage/DR costs; repatriation lowers public cloud billing volatility.
- Improved Resilience: Built-in redundancy and immutable storage protect against data loss and ransomware; DRaaS streamlines failover and recovery.
- Operational Simplification: Unified monitoring and management platforms automate network and workload observability, freeing IT teams to focus on higher-value initiatives.
- Future-Proofing: Modular, marketplace-integrated services support evolving licensing, compliance, and geographic requirements without the need for disruptive replatforming.
Implementation Considerations for IT Leaders
- People: Ensure alignment across IT, procurement, and business continuity teams—especially for DR, archival, and repatriation projects.
- Process: Take advantage of modular service models—start with storage or connectivity and scale up as needs evolve.
- Technology: Identify dependencies and integrations across backup, monitoring, and cloud platforms; prepare for phased migration where appropriate.
- Change Management: Prioritize transparency; inform stakeholders early about licensing/program changes (especially in VMware/Broadcom scenarios) to avoid risk exposure.
- Vendor Risk: Assess current providers for compliance with new partner requirements and ensure they’re positioned to support you beyond 2024.
Next Steps
To determine how these innovations in storage and connectivity can support your IT roadmap and reduce risk, consider:
- Scheduling a tailored meeting with our team to assess your environment and goals.
- Reviewing your storage, DR, and connectivity costs—and exploring alternate flat-rate options.
- Engaging with our experts to map your data protection architecture and identify optimization quick wins.
Ready to optimize your IT strategy? Call 877-599-3999 or email sales@stratospherenetworks.com to schedule an architecture assessment.
