'Big data' a major untapped cloud resource, according to cloud exec

An information storage company recently spent close to $2.3 billion to purchase Isilon Systems, a major storage vendor, in an effort to make its way into the cloud market. According to Technology Business Research, its main target is “big data,” which includes unstructured data from medical records, media, entertainment and energy exploration.

TBR believes the company’s pursuit of big data will create significant competition in the cloud storage marketplace. “[The company] is jockeying for position in key growth areas, such as cloud, by leveraging acquisitions to expand,” said TBR.

"The unmistakable waves of cloud computing and ‘big data' are upon us,” said the company’s CEO, Joe Tucci. “Customers are looking for new ways to store, protect, secure and add intelligence to the vast amounts of information they will accumulate over the next decade.”

The company expects its recent acquisitions to generate $1 billion in annual revenue by 2012.

Cloud storage is potentially one of the most lucrative of cloud services. One cloud company is leading a $21.5 million research project to improve cloud storage across Europe.