Harvard Business Review Analytic Services

How the Subscription Economy Is Redefining Data Storage

Storage-as-a-service (STaaS) is transforming data strategies with unequaled speed, simplicity, and affordability.

In the age of big data, storage is a critical capability.

To get ahead, enterprises are embracing storage as a service.

of organizations are either currently using or looking to adopt STaaS in the next two years.

Storage as a Service

STaaS Equals Success

Organizations leveraging STaaS have more successful data storage programs.

of STaaS users say their data storage programs are very effective.

of traditional data storage users say their data storage programs are very effective.

Storage as a Service

Storage as a Service Means Less Pain, More Gain

STaaS users are more likely to say their data storage model...

STaaS users

Traditional data storage users

Simplifies the way they import data from external sources.

STaaS users

Traditional data storage users

Provides the flexibility to integrate on-premises and cloud applications.

STaaS users

Traditional data storage users

Makes it easier to access data needed for decision-making.

Storage as a Service

Get More Benefits from their Data Storage

of organizations identify the following strengths of STaaS over traditional storage:

Near real-time storage capacity flexibility
IT staff freed up to do higher-value work
Improved consistency for on-premises and cloud-based applications
Reduces CAPEX by converting storage costs to OPEX
Eliminates need for long-term forecasting

Storage as a Service

STaaS Security: Consideration vs. Concern

When it comes to the security of STaaS models, opinions are shifting. Current STaaS users familiar with the platforms are more likely to consider their data secure.

think STaaS is more or as secure as traditional models in terms of security.

think traditional storage is more secure.

“With the storage-as-a-service solution, we’re no longer guessing at what we might need in three to five years, investing in capacity and performance that may or may not meet our needs down the road.”
Sean Greer, The City and County of Denver, IT Director of Service Delivery

Take The Quiz to assess the State of Your Data Storage

01 of 03

Do you consider data storage from the outset, within your organization’s overall data strategy?

pure storage hbr assessment thumbnail image

Yes, definitely.

Great! Did you know that 70% of organizations that prioritize data storage from the outset say their storage infrastructure is very effective?

That’s nearly twice as many as those that don’t consider storage until later in the process.

We're working on it.

Good job! By prioritizing data storage within your overall data strategy, you’ll likely find it more effective.

In fact, 70% of organizations that consider data storage from the outset consider their infrastructure to be very effective. That’s nearly twice as many as those that don’t think about storage until later in the process.

No, not yet.

You likely have an opportunity for improvement. The survey results show that organizations benefit from thinking sooner and farther out in developing their data storage strategies.

In fact, 70% of organizations that prioritize data storage from the outset consider their infrastructure to be very effective. That’s nearly twice as many as those who don’t worry about storage until later in the process.

02 of 03

Are you taking advantage of the latest storage technology?

Yes, definitely.

Fantastic! You’re likely gaining valuable benefits from staying up-to-date with your storage technology. With STaaS, this includes greater scalability and elasticity with fewer disruptions.

We're working on it.

Great! There are many advantages to be gained by staying up-to-date with your storage technology.

With STaaS, this includes greater scalability and elasticity with fewer disruptions.

No, not yet.

To be competitive your business needs to stay modern. This includes your data storage.

STaaS provides fast, easy upgrades that enable you to leverage the latest technology advantages.

03 of 03

Do you feel you’re spending too much time on data storage administration?

Yes

By embracing STaaS, you can free up time to focus on more valuable activities while eliminating costly downtime and disruptions due to upgrades.

In fact, 75% of executives believe that STaaS is a measurable time-saver.

Not sure

You may be surprised to learn how much time STaaS can save—freeing up IT staff to focus on more valuable activities, improving consistency for on-premises and cloud-based applications, and offering more flexibility for scaling storage capacity.

What are the benefits of STaaS?

Near real time storage capacity flexibility
IT staff freed up to do higher-value work
Improved consistency for on-premises and cloud-based applications
Better enable disaster recovery measures
Eliminates need for long-term forecasting

Three-quarters of organizations see all of these as advantages that STaaS has over traditional models.

say storage as a service frees IT staff to focus on other work, including higher-value activities.

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