In the 1970s, IBM released floppy disks. These storage devices were used for almost anything. They stored software and applications and initialized computer mainframes. Floppies were the more convenient options over hard disk drives (HDDs).
Then, in the following decade, HDDs were turned into solid-state drives (SSDs) and compact disks (CDs). Both would later be replaced with flash memory drives and solid chips that fit in pockets to hold copies of anything we need.
As data storage needs have evolved, the concept of data storage management emerged as a solution for organizations seeking a more reliable way to store and manage their data and sustain profitability.
If you want to implement effective and secure ways to manage data storage, it is beneficial to learn the fundamental principles of data storage management and find the best providers of managed storage.
Below, we'll take a look at the top 10 managed data storage agencies as well as the basics and benefits of the service.
Table of Contents
What Is Data Storage Management?
Data storage management refers to the IT services and processes used by enterprises and organizations to retain and protect vital data and sensitive information. It also aims to increase the availability of these essential resources to the entire company.
Managed data storage records and saves documents and files digitally. It makes backing up and archiving easier for quicker recovery and safekeeping in case of an unexpected interruption, cyber threat, or crash.
10 Best Data Storage Management Service Providers
DesignRush has put together this list of the top 10 IT service agencies to send an RFP to in 2023:
1. Itransition
- Location: 3900 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 485, Lakewood, Colorado 80235, United States
- Average Hourly Rate: $40/hr
- Expertise: IT Services, Cybersecurity, IoT, Cloud Consulting.
Established in 1998, Itransition is instrumental in helping startups, and medium and large enterprises in software design and development.
From business processes consulting to software engineering, the firm showcases excellent-quality input, technological expertise, commitment and professionalism. Itransition’s projects extend across 40 countries worldwide.
2. Boldare
- Location: ul. Królowej Bony 13, Gliwice, 44-100, Poland
- Average Hourly Rate: $70/hr
- Expertise:Enterprise Software Development, IT Services, Cybersecurity, Product Design.
Boldare’s business, goals and services are anchored on Agile DNA and Lean Startup models. They shape and align their structure, processes, strategies and culture with what is most beneficial based on the client’s requirements.
Created in 2004, the Poland-based agency has since expanded into a team of over 600 members with six offices in Europe. And it holds over 30 professional certifications.
Boldare has been featured in Forbes, GQ, Medium and Yahoo Finance. Its notable clients include Virgin Radio Oman, Chartipedia, Sonnen and Takamol.
3. Geomotiv
- Location: 901 N Pitt St, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, United States
- Average Hourly Rate: $35/hr
- Expertise:Managed Services, Mobile App Development, Website Development, Drupal Development.
Founded in 2010, Geomotiv has been providing innovative software development services and solutions that gain businesses a competitive advantage in their respective markets. The firm used to focus on social and mobile games and applications until it spread out to Big Data and AdTech and now, full-cycle product development.
Geomotiv has a strong client retention rate with 95% of customers choosing to stay and work with them for over 12 months.
Its diverse clientele includes Rubicon Project, MediaMath, Savveo, Sante, PebblePost and Hiro.
4. Huboxt
- Location: Kesklinna linnaosa, Tornimäe tn 3, Tallinn, 10145, Estonia
- Average Hourly Rate: $40/hr
- Expertise: Database Architecture and Engineering, Cloud and DevOps, Product Development and Management, SaaS Development.
Estonia-based Huboxt is a full-cycle custom software development agency.
Having worked with NuVision Investments, GOES GmbH & Prime WSI and Digital Notion, among other businesses, Huboxt delivers results for six specializations, namely, web and mobile application, DevOps, UI and UX, data engineering, server-side setup and product management.
5. CDMSoftech Solution
- Location: FF-6, First Floor, Plot No. HS-31, Block-H, Sector 12, Pratap Vihar, Ghaziabad, 201009, India
- Average Hourly Rate: $4/hr
- Expertise: Word Processing, Database Management, Data Entry, Data Conversion.
CDMSoftech Solution is a one-stop shop for cost-efficient data entry services, such as data conversion, data mining, lead generation, word processing and database management through their offshore facilities in India.
Their team of professionals is equipped with proficiencies in Magento, Open Project, eBay and Amazon.
6. CodeCaste
- Location: 403, Avdhesh House, Opp. Gurudwara, SG Highway, Ahmedabad 380054., Ahmedabad, 380054, India
- Average Hourly Rate: $20/hr
- Expertise: Data Entry, Digital Design, Web Design, UI/UX Design.
Since its inception in 2017, CodeCaste has evolved into a team of more than 12 dedicated experts in technology stacks—from Laravel to Shopify.
These specialists have helped businesses launch websites both in India and overseas.
CodeCaste has worked with Mercedes-Benz, NHS, Jim's Mowing Australia and Audi Malaysia.
7. Exaud
- Location: 440 Louisiana Street, Suite 900, Houston, Texas 77002, United States
- Average Hourly Rate: $50/hr
- Expertise: Software Development, IoT, Wearable Technology, Blockchain Development.
Exaud is an established agency specializing in IT consultancy and software development. The three key areas they work with cover mobile applications, embedded systems and apps and wearables and IoT.
Their software solutions have a strong presence in the international automotive market, having been deployed for brands like Audi, Nissan, Ford and Peugeot-Citroën.
Exaud offers white-label development, uncomplicated procedures, real-time project status, Agile methodologies, flexible pricing schemes and express services.
8. BairesDev
- Location: 2 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, California 94111, United States
- Average Hourly Rate: $50/hr
- Expertise: IT Services, Cybersecurity, Software Development, IoT.
BairesDev is an expert partner in delivering scalable and innovative tech solutions tailor-fit to achieve competitive results for your business. The firm takes pride in integrating only the top 1% of engineers into its exceptional autonomous team.
BairesDev has a 91.2% average client satisfaction and a 70.3 Net Promoter Score under its belt. Currently, it has 174 active world-class customers.
Its most prominent clients are Google, Salesforce, IBM, Motorola and Burger King.
9. Kanda Software
- Location: 233 Needham Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02464, United States
- Average Hourly Rate: $50/hr
- Expertise: Staff Augmentation, AWS, IT Services, IoT.
The 13th fastest-growing Massachusetts-based company according to Inc. 500 ranking, Kanda is a premier full-service software development, QA and IT support solutions company.
Kanda is reputed for excellent data and IP protection in its proven spotless record in data security for 20 years. Using expertise in engineering plus a clean and economical approach to IP practices, Kanda has collaborated with names like OneSky, Rue La La, Imprivata, Lionbridge, CBRE and Havas Media.
10. Simform
- Location: 111 North Orange Avenue, Suite 800, Orlando, Florida 32801, United States
- Average Hourly Rate: $30/hr
- Expertise: Software Testing, IT Outsourcing, Cloud Consulting, Managed Services.
Founded in 2010, Simform has extended its competitive tech capacities to help startups, Fortune 500 companies and WHO-featured NGOs.
Leveraging the right architecture and processes, Simform is an innovative leader in providing software teams on demand. The agency has partnered with Sony Music (EMI), Pepsico, Zep Inc and DoggyBnB.
Types of Managed Data Storage
Let us take a look at the different data storage types, plus their unique benefits and disadvantages:
1. Direct Attached Storage (DAS)
DAS is the storage type that is connected to or located physically in a computing device. It is only accessible on a single machine. DAS is an affordable solution that helps with local backups.
Common tools under this category include:
- Hard Drives
- Solid-State Drives (SSD)
- CD and DVD Drives
- Flash Drives
2. Network Attached Storage (NAS)
NAS utilizes a lightweight operation system (OS) on servers turning them into a NAS unit or head and making data accessible across multiple machines within an internal network.
While it is generally pricier than DAS, it is a reliable managed data storage solution for more convenient sharing among interconnected devices. NAS also enables the creation of permission levels for control access.
3. Cloud Storage
Managing data storage on the cloud means that authorized users within a company can access files and data from anywhere at any time on any device with an internet connection.
You do not need a connection to your organization’s internal network or intranet or specific hardware to gain access to information. This makes cloud computing an excellent solution for working away from a physical office.
Google, Microsoft and IBM are among the most widely used cloud storage providers.
4. Software-Defined Storage (SDS)
SDS approaches data storage management via abstraction to separate data from the hardware systems prior to organizing and reformatting them for internal network use.
It functions particularly well with microservice workloads and containers with cluttered information and files.
5. File Storage
One of the most common managed data storage solutions, file storage uses a hierarchical format to keep singular records. This happens through unique file paths and names, locations, URLs and other identifiers.
It is beneficial in that it arranges data for readability and easy navigation.
6. Block Storage
Block storage separates storage volumes into independent instances called blocks. Every independent block consists of an autonomously full configuration identity.
This storage type enables faster safekeeping of file requirements in a system, thus making it an ideal format for rich media databases.
7. Object Storage
In this kind of database, you manage data storage by splitting information pieces into discrete units also known as objects. And these objects are spread out across physical computing devices. Each is a complete single repository capable of storing files in folders and servers.
Processes in Managed Data Storage
Below are the methods found in data storage management:
1. Provisioning
Provisioning refers to analyzing the present capabilities of an assigned storage capacity—on the cloud or hardware drives. It helps IT support to decide which data should be stored in the right locations.
Accessibility and cybersecurity are major considerations in determining the proper storage areas for certain information. It requires discovery and planning to assess if the available storage space is adequate for configuration and efficiency.
2. Data Compression
Compressing data is the process of reducing data set sizes without compromising them. This lets users improve file transfer speed and save on storage space as well as expenses for network bandwidth.
Data compression can remove redundancies and unnecessary information bits within particular data.
3. Data Migration
Data migration moves files from one location to another. Locations can be physical space, an application, or the cloud. The best IT solution companies often specialize in ensuring seamless data migration, focusing on factors such as:
- Implementation
- Network bandwidth capacities
- Efficient transfer speeds
- Ample space
- Data integrity
4. Data Replication
Data replication involves creating copies of a data set.
It can be synchronous, i.e., making updated copies of any modification to an original data file. Or it can be asynchronous replication where a command is entered into a database for copying. The former can be automated yet requires more resources while the latter can only be performed manually by a professional.
5. Automation
Automation enables automatic data storage management.
Instead of executing manual updates, you can bring into play software tools to complete the task in a shared database every time changes are made on local equipment.
This ensures that the information encoded is always updated for all authorized users while preventing outdated information from being disseminated.
6. Disaster Recovery
40% of servers suffer one outage occurrence every year. This downtime can cost a business $1,467 per minute, on average.
The stakes are high so you should have a disaster recovery plan for data issues that may arise in the future. This should effectively map out your preparation for returning to regular business operations and continuity after a breach or crash.
Functions of Data Storage Management
These are managed data storage functionalities:
1. Reliability and Performance
The goal of data management is to manage data storage and make it readily at hand for smooth business operations.
Easy and quick data accessibility enhances efficiency, performance and productivity for employees and other end-users in an organization. Your teams can use optimized media and storage tiers by leveraging a streamlined process.
2. Security and Protection
To effectively manage data is to understand how critical security and protection are for corporate data. This entails backup solutions, in-transit encryption and multifactor authentication.
3. Control and Compliance
Anchor valuable assets on different tiering levels. This will guarantee compliance with regulations.
Takeaways on Finding the Right Data Storage Management Solution
Managed data storage is a must for preserving important data assets to ensure business continuity and data hub reliability of IT infrastructures for daily operations.
Think of data management as a form of insurance in hopes of securing your data from the need to use disaster recovery. That is why you devise a plan to restore data readily in the event of any interruption.
Find the appropriate solution based on your needs, budget and network capabilities. Managed service providers and IT services agencies can assist you with the implementation of the best data management for your enterprise.
