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 SectorLocationProduct 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