Okay – this blog is branded SMB, but its clever use of the acronym stands for Storage Means Business.
Remember, made to fit storage - the idea that IT investment and infrastructure a business has can dictate what storage is “made-to-fit” their business? Check out George Crump’s Data storage cost savings: one size doesn’t fit all. George supports this idea. Another key takeaway for me was that you should partner with a VAR (if you haven’t already) because the range of storage options is so wide. A VAR can help navigate and suggest the best solution for your business.
Navigating the storage universe isn’t exactly easy either. It seems like everyone has a solution for “SMB”. Everything from thumb drives to SAN solutions.
Maybe a new naming scheme for small, medium, and even large businesses is needed – especially when it comes to storage. That way, a VAR can better segment to the storage needs of their customers rather than simply their size.
I am thinking:
- SSB = Simplified Storage based Business
- MSB = Mainstream Storage based Business
- ASB = Advanced Storage based Business
Regardless of revenue or number of employees, the needs from one business to the next will differ when it comes to storage. For example, a videographer working out of his home can have 10x the storage capacity and performance requirements of some “small businesses” that employ 5-10 people. I would argue the freelance videographer is an MSB, while the company of 5, an SSB.
And, the greater the capacity & performance requirement, the greater the chance the business will adopt more mainstream or even advanced storage technologies. Look at the community on Spiceworks. Mostly small business IT, and they can argue that even though they maybe small in terms of employees, their storage use is mainstream or advanced.
Are you tired of being labeled an “SMB”
SSB, MSB, or ASB – what do you consider yourself?
Let me know.
I would say MSB