Emerging Vendors 2011
CRN's annual listing of the IT industry's upstarts and start-ups.
Emerging doesn't mean what it used to. And this collection of up-and-comers and new-to-the-game vendors is on an upward trajectory that a host of young companies that preceded them could barely imagine.
With new innovations like cloud computing and virtualization speeding up the pace of innovation and technology mainstays like storage and networking branching off into new directions, this list encapsulates a tectonic technology shift where the recently founded are starting to rule the roost and become household names much more quickly than in the past.
This list comprises companies from every discipline and technology facet. The only rules: They must have been established or have undergone a major transformation in 2005 or later and have a strategy to leverage the channel to go to market. Each of these companies brings something different to the table, and each has a fresh perspective. And some are already gaining a foothold in the bustling IT marketplace.
Among these emerging vendors you'll find companies that have already established themselves as big dogs in their market segment, and others that just kicked off earlier this year, but are already creating chatter. They represent new partnership and go-to-market opportunities for solution providers looking to separate the wheat from the chaff in an IT market that is becoming increasingly more crowded and noisy.
2011 is the year where emerging turns to emerged and startups and upstarts take hold. Here are 2011's emerging vendors.
Company
Tech Sector
Location
Product Line
3CXNetworkingKingston Upon Thames, England 3CX Phone System, software-based VoIP IP PBX
3X SystemsStorageColumbus, OhioPrivate Cloud Backup and Disaster Recovery Appliance
6FusionServicesRaleigh, N.C.Utility Computing6 software platform that allows users to tap into the utility, build servers and scale applications
AbiquoCloud ComputingRedwood City, Calif.Open source cloud management solutions
AccelOpsSoftwareSanta Clara, Calif.AccelOps Platform data center monitoring
ActifioVirtualizationWaltham, Mass.Actifio VDP--Virtual Data Management for data protection, disaster recovery, business continuity, test and development, compliance and analytics
AdaptevaHardwareLexington, Mass.Epiphany multicore processor architecture
Aerohive NetworksNetworkingSunnyvale, Calif.Cloud-enabled Wi-Fi and routing solutions
AHX GlobalMobilityEvesham, EnglandiTablet tablet computer
Akiban TechnologiesSoftwareBostonAkiban Server--open, scalable, relational database platform
AkorriVirtualizationLittleton, Mass.BalancePoint virtual infrastructure management software
AlertBootSecurityLas VegasAlertBoot Full Disk Encryption
Alpine Data LabsSoftwareSan Mateo, Calif.Alpine Miner dating mining
amplidataStorageRedwood City, Calif.AmpliStor data optimized object storage solutions
AppAssure SoftwareSoftwareReston, Va.Replay4 is the world's fastest backup and recovery software, recovering any Windows application server in 15 minutes or less, with no more than 15 minutes of potential application data loss
ArcMailStorageShreveport, La.ArcMail's Defender line of e-mail archiving appliances is sold worldwide and includes models ranging in capacity from 500 GB to 16 TB, with larger customized solutions also available
Armorize TechnologiesSecuritySanta Clara, Calif.Armorize Appsec Suite Web app security
AryakaNetworkingMilpitas, Calif.Aryaka cloud-based WAN optimization and application acceleration
AutoVirtStorageNashua, N.H.AutoVirt data virtualization solution
Avenda SystemsSecuritySanta Clara, Calif.Avenda provides the channel with a complete network access security solution for wireless, wired and VPN networks
AxcientStorageMountain View, Calif.Axcient Data Backup, Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Solution
Big Switch NetworksNetworkingPalo Alto, Calif.OpenFlow architecture
Bigfoot NetworksHardwareRedwood City, Calif.Killer Network Cards, network interface cards
BizroofSoftwareSan FranciscoBizroof CRM
BridgeSTORStoragePoway, Calif.Advanced data reduction primary and backup storage appliances for Microsoft Windows applications
BurstPoint NetworksNetworkingWestborough, Mass.VCP Manager enterprise video management and distribution
CalxedaData CenterAustin, TexasCalxeda ARM-based Server Reference Design
CertiVoxSecuritySan FranciscoCertiVox Key Management Infrastructure-as-a-Service
Ciphertex Data SecuritySecurityChatsworth, Calif.CX Ranger data security and network attached storage products
ClearCenterOtherOrem, Calif.ClearCenter provides a ClearOS-based network, gateway and server Hybrid IT platform for service providers; ClearCenter offers both software and hardware appliance products
Cloud CruiserCloud ComputingRoseville, Calif.Cloud Optimizer cloud cost optimization tool
CloudEnginesCloud ComputingSan FranciscoPogoPlug software for cloud storage/streaming
CloudOptixCloud ComputingBoca Raton, Fla.MeghaWare cloud virtualization software unifies public and private clouds into a custom hybrid cloud environment
CloudPassageCloud ComputingSan FranciscoHalo architecture, cloud server security platform
CloudShareCloud ComputingSan Mateo, Calif.CloudShare Enterprise IT environment replication, sharing
CloudSwitchCloud ComputingBurlington, Mass.CloudSwitch Enterprise enables enterprises to run applications in the cloud simply and securely, without rearchitecting the application or changing management tools and policies
CloupiaCloud ComputingSanta Clara, Calif.Cloupia Unified Infrastructure Controller
ConformitySoftwareAustin, TexasConformity/Connect SaaS application management platform
CorelyticsSoftwareBellevue, Wash.Corelytics Financial Dashboard--Better Insight, Better Business Faster; packed with Industry Intelligence
CovertixSecurityEven Yehuda, IsraelCovertix's flagship product, SmartCipher, is a file-level information rights management (IRM) application that monitors and secures confidential documents and sensitive data
CrestaTechHardwareSanta Clara, Calif.CrestaTV Universal Broadband Receiver, programmable RF, algorithms and parallel processing
Ctera NetworksStoragePetah Tikvah, IsraelCtera's Cloud Attached Storage solution combines on-premises appliances with cloud services to provide an integrated, all-in-one solution for shared storage, data protection and collaboration
CumuluxCloud ComputingChicagoManage Axis cloud monitoring and management
CustoraSoftwareSan FranciscoCustora Business Intelligence and customer retention software
DatameerSoftwareSan Mateo, Calif.Datameer Analytics Solution
DelfigoSecurityBostonDS Gateway multifactor authentication, risk-based authentication and context-based authentication
DelphixVirtualizationMenlo Park, Calif.Delphix virtualizes databases; Delphix software replaces physical copies with virtual databases, which operate in 1/10th the space, but maintain full functionality and performance
DeskCenter USASoftwareLong Beach, N.Y.DeskCenter Management Suite--physical and virtual desktop management suite
Digital ReefSoftwareBoxborough, Mass.eDiscovery software and services
Duo SecuritySecurityAnn Arbor, Mich.Duo Security: Two-Factor Authentication for the masses
eCertSecuritySan FranciscoeCert Email Domain Certification Service
eGestalt TechnologiesSoftwareSanta Clara, Calif.SecureGRC is a patent-pending, multiple award-winning, cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution that provides PCI, HIPAA/HITECH-based security and compliance management for SMBs
EmboticsVirtualizationOttawaV-Commander 4.0 accelerates virtualization and private cloud initiatives within midsize and large data centers
enStratusCloud ComputingMinneapolisenStratus cloud infrastructure management platform
Eucalyptus SystemsCloud ComputingSanta Barbara, Calif.Eucalyptus Enterprise Edition cloud software platform
Event ZeroSoftwareEight Mile Plains, AustraliaGreentrac' is a multi-award-winning, revolutionary energy-consumption-monitoring application for enterprise PC fleets
Evolve IPCloud ComputingWayne, Pa.Evolve IP offers a comprehensive suite of cloud-based applications, infrastructure and security
Eye-FiStorageMountain View, Calif.Eye-Fi Connect X2 wireless memory cards
eZuceSoftwareNewburyport, Mass.Open enterprise unified communications software
faceVsion Technology USANetworkingFremont, Calif.faceVsion Touchcam N1 and HD video communications solutions
FastTrack Software AsPSoftwareKlarup, DenmarkFastTrack Scripting Host--a Network Admins' Software Solution to administration headaches via very fast, easy and powerful scripts
FordelaCloud ComputingSan FranciscoFordela Media Platform
GloStreamSoftwareBloomfield Hills, Mich.gloEMR electronic medical records software
GlusterStorageSunnyvale, Calif.GlusterFS is a software-only, scale-out NAS storage solution for public and private cloud environments; it creates a highly available, scalable and centrally managed storage pool that scales to petabytes of storage
Green PlugPeripherals & ComponentsSan Ramon, Calif.Green Plug Universal Power Protocol and programmable microcontrollers for power-supply manufacturers
Hardcore ComputerData CenterRochester, Minn.Reactor X Desktop and high-performance computer systems--desktops, workstations and servers, with a patented liquid submersion cooling technology to remove heat
HEROwareStorageSan Clemente, Calif.Backup and Disaster Recovery Solution
Igloo SoftwareSoftwareKitchener, OntarioSocial Intranets/Social Extranets
ioSafeStorageAuburn, Calif.Disaster-proof storage hardware
IronKeySecuritySunnyvale, Calif.Secure data and online access: IronKey Enterprise prevents data breaches with portable, encrypted USB storage; Trusted Access for Banking stops banking fraud with secure browser
JouleXData CenterAtlantaJouleX Energy Manager (JEM)
KernSafe TechnologiesStorageBeijingiStorage Server
KnowledgeTreeSoftwareRaleigh, N.C.KnowledgeTree SaaS/License Editions content management
Krawler (Deskera)SoftwareSunnyvale, Calif.Deskera software suite for CRM, accounting, project management, human resource management, training, leave and attendance management
KubisysData CenterPompton Lakes, N.J.Thin Capture private test cloud solutions
LeapfactorSoftwareMountain View, Caiif.Leapfactor mobile app development platform
LightSquaredNetworkingReston, Va.Satellite-backed 4G LTE Network
LincWareSoftwareEast Rochester, N.Y.LincWare's LincDoc family of eForm creation and document automation tools empowers businesses and municipal organizations to better serve their customers and constituents and reduce costs
LogRhythmSecurityBoulder, Colo.LogRhythm 5.0 Monitoring
Lookout Mobile SecuritySecuritySan FranciscoLookout Mobile Security
Lucid ImaginationSoftwareSan Mateo, Calif.LucidWorks Search platform
Lyric SemiconductorHardwareCambridge, Mass.Lyric Error Correction (LEC) fables semiconductors
MarketoSoftwareSan Mateo, Calif.Revenue Performance Management Solution
Marseille NetworksHardwareSanta Clara, Calif.VTV-1200 video processors
MeLLmoSoftwareSan DiegoRoambi graphics and visualization application for BI systems
MendixSoftwareBostonMendix's Agile Business Platform: a complete solution for agile application lifecycle management; it rapidly develops, deploys and manages applications that smoothly integrate with existing systems
MokaFiveVirtualizationRedwood City, Calif.MokaFive provides an end-to-end desktop management solution that harnesses the power of virtualization to radically change the way enterprises control and manage desktops and laptops
MonolithIC 3D (formerly NuPGA)HardwareSan Jose, Calif.MonolithIC 3D (formerly NuPGA) chips
MorphlabsCloud ComputingManhattan Beach, Calif.mCloud Controller cloud platform
MvixPeripherals & ComponentsChantilly, Va.Mvix DS digital signage solutions, digital media distribution for retail, offices, public areas and other business
NephoScaleCloud ComputingSan Jose, Calif.NephoScale Infrastructure-as-a-Service
Nexenta SystemsStorageMountain View, Calif.The core storage platform, NexentaStor, is a software-only storage operating system based on Linux and a storage-optimized file system based on the OpenSolaris/Open Storage ZFS file system
NextivityNetworkingSan DiegoCel-Fi Indoor Coverage Solution
Nimble StorageStorageSan Jose, Calif.CS-series storage appliances, which combine high-performance Flash memory and low-cost SATA drive technologies to handle primary, backup and disaster recovery tasks in a single device
NimbulaCloud ComputingMountain View, Calif.Infrastructure-as-a-Service software
Nine TechnologySoftwareMiddleboro, Mass.Powered By Nine' is a leading online backup and recovery solution set for MSP, VAR and data center manager partners
NSFOCUS Information TechnologySecurityBeijingAnti-DDoS Solution (ADS)
Omek InteractiveSoftwareBet Shemesh, IsraelOmek Shadow Development Suite
OS33Cloud ComputingBrooklyn, N.Y.IT-as-a-Service Delivery Platform for MSPs
Oxygen CloudCloud ComputingRedwood City, Calif.Oxygen Universal Cloud Drive
Palo Alto NetworksSecuritySanta Clara, Calif.Next Generation Firewalls
PanceteraVirtualizationSanta Clara, Calif.Pancetera Unite installs virtual Linux appliance to view and manage virtual machines
Pano LogicVirtualizationRedwood City, Calif.Virtual desktop solutions
Peep Wireless TechnologyMobilitySan FranciscoPeepApp peer-to-peer mobility solutions
PerfeITo Software SolutionsSoftwareTamilnadu, IndiaSoftware application development, software product development, application management, and technology integration solutions and services
PerspecSysSecurityOrangeville, OntarioCloud Data Governance Solutions
PHP FogCloud ComputingPortland, Ore.N-Tier PHP System
Portcullis SystemsSecurityMarlborough, Mass.Unified Access Gateway
PretonSoftwareTel AvivPretonSaver is intelligent software that reduces the amount of toner and ink used in the printing process without visibly impacting quality
ProStor SystemsStorageBoulder, Colo.ProStor InfiniVault, a multitiered storage system, is uniquely designed for cost-effective, long-term retention of fixed digital assets online, nearline, offline or offsite, based on customer requirements
QuorumLabsSoftwareFremont, Calif.Business continuity appliance
Radian6SoftwareFredericton, New BrunswickRadian6 Engagement Console
RectiphyStorageMurietta, Calif.ActiveImage Protector--software that backs up data from servers and desktops, as well as from virtual servers and their hosts
RelayWareSoftwareRedwood Shores, Calif.RelayWare Partner Relationship Management (PRM)
Revolution AnalyticsSoftwarePalo Alto, Calif.Revolution R Enterprise analytics software
RhubNetworkingSanta Clara, Calif.TurboMeeting Web conferencing for SMBs
RingioNetworkingHerndon, Va.Ringio Rich Calling SaaS call center platform
RJMetricsSoftwareCamden, N.J.RJMetrics hosted business intelligence
ROBOBAKSoftwareWindsor, OntarioCloud-based backup solutions
Rseven MobileMobilityDublin, Calif.Rseven for Salesforce
SalesFusionSoftwareEast CobbMarketing Automation Software, Email Marketing Software, CRM Software
SandForceHardwareSaratoga, Calif.SandForce SF-SSD Processor Family of solid state drive (SSD) processors that use standard flash memory in enterprise-level storage environments
Savage I/OStorageBatavia, N.Y.DataBrick storage solutions
Scale ComputingStorageIndianapolisScale Computing StorageNodes Clustered Storage Solutions
SeaMicroHardwareSunnyvale, Calif.SM10000 Internet-optimized x86-server
SevOneSoftwareWilmington, Del.SevOne provides a distributed network performance management solution that delivers the fastest, most scalable, and comprehensive real-time monitoring, troubleshooting and performance reporting solution
SkyderaCloud ComputingPalo Alto, Calif.Skydera Cloud Automation Platform
Smartfish TechnologiesHardwareEnglewood, N.J.Reflex Compact Keyboard with ErgoMotion ergonomic keyboards and mice and other peripherals
SmoothstoneHardwareAustin, TexasARM-based server chips
SOASTACloud ComputingMountain View, Calif.SOASTA makes cloud-based applications that test the performance of cloud, Web and mobile applications
SococoNetworkingMountain View, Calif.Team Space virtual office
SokratiSoftwarePune, IndiaSokrati Digital Advertising Suite
SoonrCloud ComputingCampbell, Calif.Soonr Workplace documents and file sharing
Spanning Cloud AppsCloud ComputingAustin, TexasSpanning Backup for Google Apps
SparkpadMobilitySterling, Va.Sparkpad Platform
StrangeloopNetworkingVancouver, British ColumbiaStrangeloop Site Optimizer
SuperLumin NetworksSoftwareDayton, OhioSuperLumin OEM software for Internet appliance builders
SyferLockSecuritySouthport, Conn.One-time passwords and multifactor authentication
SyncplicityStorageMenlo Park, Calif.Online Cloud-based File Management
TalendOtherLos Altos, Calif.Talend is one of the largest pure-play vendors of open source software, offering a breadth of middleware solutions
Thinking Phone NetworksNetworkingCambridge, Mass.ThinkingSuite Services unified communication and analytics
TintriStorageMountain View, Calif.Tintri Vmstore
TITUSSoftwareOttawaTITUS messaging and document solutions help enterprises enforce their classification policies and prevent inadvertent disclosure of sensitive information
TrackViaCloud ComputingDenverTrackVia Cloud Database
Tremont ElectricMobilityClevelandnPower Peg
Tufin TechnologiesSecurityBurlington, Mass.Security Lifecycle Management
TwinStrataStorageNatick, Mass.TwinStrata is an innovator in enterprise-class data storage, data protection and disaster recovery/business continuity solutions using cloud storage
VCEOtherRichardson, TexasVblock Infrastructure Platforms
VDIworksSoftwareAustin, TexasDesktop Virtualization Management
Veeam SoftwareVirtualizationColumbus, OhioSolutions for data protection and virtual infrastructure management
VeodiaNetworkingSan Mateo, Calif.Veodia video platform-as-a-service
VeracodeSecurityBurlington, Mass.The Veracode cloud-based platform provides the fastest, most comprehensive solution to improve the security of internally developed, purchased or outsourced software applications
VersaReportsSoftwareAtlantaVersaReports Universal Report Server
VidyoNetworkingHackensack, N.J.VidyoConferencing portfolio of business videoconferencing hardware and software
ViewfinitySoftwareWaltham, Mass.Privilege Management and Application Control
Vineyard NetworksNetworkingKelowna, British ColumbiaApplication Intelligent Classification, Application Level Network Reporting
Virsto SoftwareStorageSunnyvale, Calif.Virsto One storage virtualization software
VirtensysVirtualizationBeaverton, Ore.I/O Virtualization Appliance
Virtual BridgesVirtualizationAustin, TexasVirtual Bridges VERDE combines online, offline and remote branch VDI solutions to offer anytime, anywhere access to virtual desktops
VivuNetworkingCupertino, Calif.VuRoom/VuCast on-premise or SaaS-based video collaboration to enhance videoconferencing
VKernelVirtualizationAndover, Mass.VKernel vOperations Suite, an enterprise-class performance and capacity management solution, uses predictive and real-time analysis to simplify monitoring and optimization of virtual environments
VMTurboVirtualizationValhalla, N.Y.Virtualization Management Suite
Vu TelePresenceNetworkingCranberry Township, Pa.Vu Pro HD videoconferencing and telepresence for SMB and SOHOs
WanovaVirtualizationSan Jose, Calif.Turnkey Desktop-as-a-Service software
WellalaPeripherals & ComponentsSeattlePrint Magic, mobile printing applications that allow users to print a variety of file types--including PDFs and photos--without downloading print drivers
WhipTail TechnologiesStorageWhippany, N.J.Flash-based solid-state storage array
WiresoftSecurityCincinnatiFiregate Security Platform firewall
Xi3HardwareSalt Lake CityXi3 Modular Computer; Xi3 makes a computer architecture that breaks the motherboard into separate cards for quick and easy replacements
ZencoderCloud ComputingSan FranciscoZencoder Cloud-Based Video Encoding
ZendeskSoftwareSan FranciscoZendesk help desk and support ticket software
ZmandaStorageSunnyvale, Calif.Zmanda Cloud Backup
ZscalerSecuritySunnyvale, Calif.Zscaler provides policy-based secure Internet access for any employee, on any device, anywhere via a global cloud service. Zscaler offers a fully integrated Web and e-mail security platform