Storage as a service (STaaS) is a data storage model that uses subscription-based resources to provide businesses with virtual storage for data protection and running business applications. The model helps save businesses money through operating expenditure (OPEX) agility, allowing users to only pay for what they use.
Pure Storage is making headway in the software storage space with its flexible software and StaaS offerings.
The company’s net revenues for Q3 was $562.7 million, a 37% increase year over year. Its subscription annual recurring revenue for its StaaS and software services is up 30%.
In this review, we’ll break down Pure Storage’s latest software offerings and discuss its recent contributions to the enterprise storage space:
Pure Storage Software Portfolio
Evergreen Storage
Evergreen Storage is Pure Storage’s subscription-based StaaS option, offering free, modular, non-disruptive upgrades for maximum availability and scalability. Some key benefits include:
- 50% reduced TCO
- Five-nines availability even during upgrades
- Proactive IT support
Pure Cloud Block Store
Pure Cloud Block Store is a solution for running enterprise apps and TestDev in the cloud with high performance and high resilience. Users will save storage space with Pure Storage’s:
- Data compression
- Thin provisioning
- Deduplication
- Snapshots and clones that consume no additional storage
Pure-as-a-Service
This subscription-based storage service option provides the flexibility of public cloud storage with the security of all-flash infrastructure. A one-year subscription includes:
- Block, file, and object storage needs
- Access to Pure1 management tools for managing hybrid cloud environments
- 100% OPEX pay-what-you-use subscription model
Pure1
This AI-driven data-services platform makes storage management easier with full-stack monitoring with predictive analysis, so teams can optimize their infrastructure. Users can:
- Deploy new applications and grow data services with Pure1 Meta
- Purchase, manage, and renew products and services in hybrid clouds from the Pure1 Digital Marketplace
- Deploy secure applications with Pure1 REST APIs
Purity Operating Environment
This operating environment is secure, user friendly, and scalable to help businesses manage data in the cloud or in edge devices. Key features include:
- Industry-leading data reduction
- Non-disruptive upgrades
- Workload optimization
- Array-based replication
- Cloud backup
Portworx
Portworx is a cloud-native Kubernetes storage solution for secure hybrid cloud mobility that offers integrated solutions for:
- Persistent storage
- Data protection
- Disaster recovery
- Data security
- Data migration
- Automated capacity management
Pure Storage Software Partners
Pure Storage values partnering with other organizations to better serve their customers and help their partners succeed. Their partnership program offers benefits such as branded marketing, special deals, and product-specific training.
Pure Storage offers several types of partnerships:
- Channel partners
- Global system integrators
- Managed service providers
- Technology Alliance Partners
With notable strategic partners like AWS, Intel, Cisco, and VMware, Pure Storage is well-connected in the space.
Pure Storage Software Use Case
During the pandemic, digital migration became a top priority. This was particularly true for Serveis d’informatica Local de Menorca (SILME), the organization providing IT services to power the self-governing island of Menorca.
Its plans to become a Smart Island were sped up during the pandemic, when it chose to make use of Pure Storage’s virtual storage and data management software for a perfect balance of performance and cost. Its existing storage system was insufficient to enable digitization, particularly with administrators and educators working remotely.
SILME implemented two Pure Storage FlashArray//X storage arrays, with ActiveCluster replication and the Pure1 storage management application. With one array stored at SILME headquarters and the other at the Island’s data center, it has achieved redundancy for high availability and can manage the distributed system easily with its chosen software. Of particular importance is its accounting system for the whole Island, which it is now more confident will run smoothly and securely with a replicated virtual storage platform.
User reviews of NetApp storage software
Pure Storage’s software portfolio consistently receives strong reviews from trusted technology rating platforms, including:
- G2: 4.8 out of 5 (Pure1 software)
- Gartner Peer Insights: 4.8 of out of 5 (Flash Array with management software)
- TrustRadius: 9.5 out of 10 (Flash Array with management software)
Users appreciate the hassle-free setup and convenience of viewing everything in one interface with software solutions like Pure1. Reviewers also speak highly of its algorithms for space reduction and compression. Users of Pure Storage Flash Arrays also report smooth software updates and strong IT support with storage management software that is far ahead of competitors.
Industry Recognition of Pure Storage software
In September, the company further established itself as a market leader in data management for Kubernetes with the launch of its Portworx software. This shows that the company is expanding its portfolio by increasingly offering as-a-service options for services as well as storage to allow users to get everything in one place.
Pure Storage is also asserting industry expertise in the realm of cybersecurity, urging state and local governments to adopt a whole-of-state approach toward great cyber resiliency. Michael Wiseman, VP of public sector at Pure Storage, discusses the importance of real-time access to data and holistic recovery plans for state and local governments.
Pure Storage in the Storage Software Market
As of 2021, Pure Storage is ranked second in terms of enterprise storage market share. Pure Storage accounts for 11.47% of the storage software market, second only to Amazon S3 with 44.66% of the market. Other competitors with high market shares include NetApp, with 3.55% share, and Amazon Cloud with 2.51%.