Wasabi Technologies has forged a partnership with VSTECS Singapore to distribute its high-performance cloud storage solutions in the market, responding to the increasing demand for low-cost, reliable storage services driven by the growing adoption of emerging technologies like generative artificial intelligence (AI) in Asia.
Michael King, APJ vice president and general manager of Wasabi Technologies, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, particularly following the recent launch of Wasabi’s first data center in Singapore. With VSTECS’s extensive network of 50,000 channel partners across Asia and its presence in emerging Southeast Asian data center hubs like Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, this partnership marks a strategic move for Wasabi to expand its footprint in the APAC region.
According to King, there’s a shifting focus towards the burgeoning digital landscapes of Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, where promising opportunities are emerging. This trend has also attracted the attention of hyperscale cloud providers, intensifying competition in these markets.
Sebastian Chong, president of VSTECS Singapore, emphasized the exponential growth in AI adoption leading to an explosion of data and the consequent need for robust, scalable IT infrastructure. This demand extends to complementary services such as data analytics, IoT, and big data processing, creating a ripe market for hot storage solutions like those offered by Wasabi.
A recent survey conducted by Wasabi revealed that half of APAC businesses are overspending on cloud services, underscoring the need for faster and more cost-effective solutions, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) pursuing digital transformation in Singapore and neighboring markets.
King highlighted the pivotal role of channel partners in acquiring and retaining customers, particularly in the SMB segment, which significantly contributes to economic growth in the APAC region. However, many SMBs still lack IT leadership and skills, relying heavily on channel partners to guide them through their digital transformation journey.
In addition to addressing increased data storage requirements driven by generative AI, Wasabi is also investing in enhancing AI capabilities in the cloud through its acquisition of Curio AI. This move aims to revolutionize data storage by integrating AI-powered indexing into object storage solutions.
Chong noted a growing trend towards sustainable IT solutions to reduce the environmental impact of IT operations and infrastructure, aligning with the broader global focus on sustainability and Green IT. Growth areas in this regard include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, data analytics, IoT, remote work, and collaboration.
