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Who Are the Secondary Cloud Providers, and Why Should You Care?
The cloud market is traditionally ruled by giants like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. These players are popularly known as the "Big Three", impressed by how companies adopt cloud techniques. Do you know that there is an increasing tide of secondary cloud providers who are leaving their mark? These providers, such as Oracle Cloud, IBM Cloud, and other niche-market platforms, are getting their niche in the market. So, why should you care? Let's go in it.
What are secondary cloud providers?
Secondary cloud providers may not hold the majority share of the global cloud market, but they excel in specialized areas, industries, or services. Think of them as boutique stores in the cloud world—offering niche, customized solutions that can stand apart from the major players.
Some examples include:
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI): Famous for its strong database offerings and enterprise-oriented services.
IBM Cloud: Leader in modernizing hybrid cloud solutions and legacy systems.
Digitalocean: Serving startups and developers with easy and cost-effective solutions.
Linode (now Akamai): Specialization in high-performance virtual machines and global edge services.
These providers focus on niche markets or specific features that better serve companies with unique needs.
Why are secondary cloud providers becoming popular?
1. Industry-specific solution - Most companies have specific requirements that require customized solutions. For example:
Healthcare providers require safe, HIPAA-compliant infrastructure. IBM Cloud provides industry-specific solutions for such industries.
Retail sellers with high transaction volumes can utilize Oracle Cloud's database features.
Game companies require low-latency environments, which DigitalOceans and Linodes specifically excel at providing.
Big giants can offer generic tools, but secondary vendors develop bespoke packages to serve the subtleties of a given industry.
2. Cost efficiency - Cloud expenses can escalate quickly. Secondary cloud providers include competitive pricing models, making them attractive to small companies or corporations looking to optimize their budgets. For example:
Digitalocean's simple pricing structure is ideal for small growth teams or startups.
Linode has flat-rate pricing that avoids surprising bills.
3. Hybrid and multi-cloud support - Since the increasing number of companies turned into hybrids or multi-cloud strategies, secondary providers have emerged to fill significant intervals. IBM Cloud exemplifies hybrid solutions that integrate on-premises systems with cloud environments. By providing these capabilities, secondary providers enhance the offerings of the big three rather than replacing them, facilitating a seamless multi-cloud ecosystem.
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How the secondary providers address legacy modernization
One of the main challenges companies face is modernizing legacy systems. It seems challenging to migrate businesses to the cloud from old infrastructure. Secondary players like IBM Cloud assist companies in migrating legacy systems without impairing business.
For example:
IBM's Cloud Pak solutions help businesses containerize legacy applications to run efficiently in a hybrid environment.
Oracle Cloud's tools originally plug into the traditional on-prem database, providing a smoother migration experience.
These providers argue that tearing down and replacing the legacy system is not always feasible, and they offer solutions to make the transition more manageable.
Players emerging in the secondary cloud market
The cloud market is not about all domestic names; new players are joining the field with innovative solutions. Let's present some emerging stars:
1. Vultr - The Vultr is rapidly gaining traction for its high-performance computing examples and developer-friendly platforms. At the forefront, with scalability and simplicity, it is becoming increasingly popular for SMBs and startups.
2. Scaleway - Based in Europe, Scaleway offers solutions that comply with GDPR, making it a top choice for businesses concerned about data privacy.
3. Wasabi - Wasabi has expertise in low-cost cloud storage and has deployed itself as a strong option for AWS S3 for businesses with heavy data storage requirements.
These sellers are not familiar names yet, but they are increasing traditional cloud approaches with innovative solutions.
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Major benefits of using secondary providers
Nevertheless, you are wondering why the secondary cloud provider is an option. Here are some clear benefits:
1. Adaptation and flexibility
Usually, unlike one-size-fits-all approach models are associated with big players. Instead, secondary providers specialize in providing customized solutions. For example:
Oracle Cloud allows companies to customize their database environment.
IBM Cloud provides customized hybrid solutions based on unique business requirements.
2. Better customer support -
Secondary providers often go above and beyond in customer care. Their small scale allows them to give them more customized service, where businesses receive help that they get the necessary assistance without the bureaucracy of large suppliers.
3. Emerging technology focus -
Many secondary providers are at the forefront of emerging technologies like edge computing, AI/ML, and blockchain. For example, IBM Claude has used AI through its Watson platform.
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How can Intersources Inc. help?
We at InterSources excel in assisting companies to use proper cloud providers based on their individual needs. Whether you want to migrate legacy systems to the modern era, unite hybrid cloud platforms, or find affordable options, our proficiency guarantees a seamless transition.
We have partnered with top-level secondary providers such as Oracle Cloud, and IBM Cloud, and niche providers offering tailored solutions to enhance your cloud strategy. By keeping pace with your business goals, We offer scalable, safe, and high-performance cloud infrastructure that fuels development and innovation. Explore our custom Cloud Services offerings to redefine your cloud experience.