Storj recently launched the Channel First program to help Storj partners bring the value of the distributed cloud to their networks.

The new program is timely, as organizations face evolving challenges, such as the growing volume of data, retention and compliance policies increasing, limited access to GPUs, a more distributed workforce, and more.

In this blog, I’ll share more insights on the benefits of the Channel First program, cover emerging challenges the program helps overcome, limitations of legacy cloud storage, and how the Channel First program allows partners to address the true needs of their customers.

Data explosion and retention policies creating data storage bloat.

Data is growing and growing. According to the IDC, the global data sphere will reach approximately 147 zettabytes by the end of 2024. With the arrival of AI, more data is generated, which also creates a greater demand for GPUs. Meanwhile, data compliance and regulations require organizations to retain data longer. As an example, HIPAA requires that certain health records be kept for at least six years. All these factors create data “storage bloat” where the need to keep data outpaces traditional data storage methodologies.

Meanwhile, AI innovation creates massive amounts of data and is a resource-intensive process that requires significant GPU power.

Some organizations – perhaps many of your customers – approach data retention and cyber resilience policies with more data replication and expanding data storage (physical or in the traditional, centralized cloud). This only creates more complexity, costs, carbon impact, and contributes to the data storage bloat. As I mentioned earlier, AI is creating massive amounts of data and requires a lot of GPU power. Unfortunately, the GPU shortage is slowing down AI innovation, with limited access to all the GPU power needed by organizations of all shapes and sizes.

It’s clear that a new approach is needed.

How the distributed cloud can help your customers.

Legacy centralized cloud storage has not evolved in accordance with the needs of modern customers. Today, organizations have more globally distributed workflows and need access to their cloud data globally. The media and entertainment industry is a prime example of an industry that is evolving, with production and post production happening in multiple places all over the world. However, traditional cloud storage was not designed to specifically solve their evolving challenges and address current needs in a high-performance, cost-effective, and sustainable approach.

The distributed cloud is a truly differentiated platform with multiple solutions for addressing highly distributed workflows. Here are a few examples of workflows your customers may need a better solution for.

• AI research and development - the right GPUs can be hard to come by, but they also need to be in the right locations. Meaning, the GPUs need to be where your data are. The distributed cloud has a 300K+ GPU inventory across North America, Europe, and Asia. Combined with globally distributed object storage, this is a cost effective solution for AI/ML model testing and fine tuning.
• Post-production editing and effects - media workflows involve collaborators around the globe. It is critical to share and access large media files without creating unnecessary duplicates or waiting days for downloads. The distributed cloud provides fast access globally and also has a solution for file access from your desktop with the speed of local storage.
• Video distribution as CDN origin - many organizations need to distribute large media files across regions, and performance is always a challenge. The distributed cloud can act as your CDN origin with consistently fast performance, without needing to replicate regionally.  
• Fast local-like access to storage - your customers want the value of object storage, but want to access it from their desktops. The distributed cloud allows users to access and edit assets in the S3 compatible storage of any vendor, with the responsiveness of local storage.
• Fast and durable backup and recovery - cyber resiliency initiatives demand faster recovery and longer data retention, and are costing your customers big on storage bills. The distributed cloud provides affordable backup storage with incredible performance. The unique nature of data distribution allows for lowered risk of access issues should outages occur. And with local-like access, recovery times can be confidently reduced.

The Channel First program makes it easy to sell in-demand solutions.

The Channel First program provides information and incentives to bring distributed cloud solutions to your clients. Let’s look at some of the benefits of participating in the Channel First program.

• Deal registration - just like the program name says, Storj makes it simple to register deals and quickly confirm partner precedence.
• Easy to work with - Storj makes it easy for partners to quote and sell distributed cloud services and solutions to their clients. Partners can rapidly sign up and deliver innovative and high-value solutions. Distributed cloud solutions have simple, predictable pricing and reserved capacity options that make it easy for partners to grow revenue and improve profit margins.
• Marketing and sales playbooks - the materials you need to reach out to your network and qualify them for distributed cloud solutions are in the partner portal. You can easily add your logo and customize the materials. Resellers also have access to sales content and training so Storj sales can support you or co-sell as desired.
• Proven integrations: Storj has established reference architecture with some of the most relevant technologies in the world. Storj has done all the testing and documentation to help take any guess work out of integrations.
• Commitment: Storj is committed to giving our partners what they need to succeed with a wide range of resources and high touch support. There are no additional costs and no minimum threshold for our partners.

Storj is committed to a channel-first focus—and that means a commitment to the success of partners looking to address the needs of their customers. Learn more about the  Channel First program on the Storj website! And while you are there, signup for the Channel First newsletter (bottom of partner pages) to stay in touch with what is happening with the distributed cloud.