IBM announced a new, promising collection of cloud data services on Monday, adding to an already-impressive collections services on its Bluemix platform. At this point, though, IBM’s biggest challenge isn’t selling enterprise users on the cloud, but convincing them it’s still the best choice.
IBM has acquired cloud-based database startup Cloudant. It’s a smart move in terms of getting a foothold in the cloud database space, but it also seemingly forces IBM to embrace cloud providers and technologies outside its current umbrella.
Cloudant says it will merge its BigCouch version of CouchDB back into the Apache CloudDB project.
Cloudant will use its new cash to build out staff and offices in the U.K and Asia and to build awareness of its NoSQL database-as-a-service worldwide.
Company tells users of its cloud-based MySQL database service to move their instances by May 8 or else. (May 15 for paying customers.)
Cloudant gets backing from Samsung’s investment arm to help push its database as a service into large enterprises.
Cloudant aims for cloud ubiquity with Rackspace partnership; OpenNebula offers private testing cloud inside Amazon Web Services; and Dell vows (late) OpenStack-based public cloud, partners with Inktank on Ceph storage.
In-Q-Tel, a somewhat mysterious company, takes an undisclosed stake in Cloudant, the developer of a NoSQL-based data layer as a service. IQT’s blessing can help companies get their technologies deployed in government agencies, including the CIA and NSA.
Amazon is offering customers unprecedented deals to stick with its cloud services. Some big companies can get annual “true up” deals while many report incentives to use reserved, rather than on-demand, instances. And Amazon is making an effort to keep startups in the fold.
The metro Boston area has good database DNA dating back to Digital’s Rdb. Those good genes are resurfacing in a fresh crop of database startups clustered in the area. Here are five hot database startups to watch in the Boston-Cambridge-Waltham nexus..
