Asigra Inc., a leading cloud backup and recovery software provider since 1986 and Beijing Skycloud Technology, Ltd, a cloud-focused SI (system integrator) have announced a strategic partnership to bring cloud backup to the Chinese marketplace. Skycloud has joined Asigra’s international partner ecosystem to make cloud backup a reality for organizations throughout China. 

According to analysts, China’s demand for cloud computing applications is growing at a compound annual growth rate of 87.4 percent. The market for cloud computing services has been forecast to top $9.24 billion dollars by the end of 2012, up from $1.4 billion in 2009 as companies make the shift to cloud services. In a region where only 20 percent of small and medium businesses (SMBs) have a backup system, Asigra has identified a significant opportunity in cloud computing and seeks to be a leading enabler in the China’s emerging cloud services market. (1) 

"Cloud backup will enable users to save large CapEx and leverage monthly or yearly OpEx to protect their valuable data or meet up unexpected backup demand," said Kim Wang, General Manager of ESG-Sino. "Partnership of Asigra and Skycloud will drive China cloud backup readiness. Skycloud’s vision and resources in China cloud computing integration, together with Asigra’s proven cloud backup process and successes will accelerate China cloud backup growth in next 12 to 24 months." 

Skycloud Technology, founded in 2009 by current chairman Edward Tian, also founder of AsiaInfo  (Nasdaq: ASIA) which brought broadband systems to China in the late 1990s, is hoping to lead similar revolutions in China with Skycloud’s portfolio of cloud solutions. Currently providing comprehensive cloud solutions including VDI and IaaS platforms for a wide range of customers including the three major Chinese telecoms and Pudong Software Park, Skycloud will now offer its customers the most comprehensive cloud backup and disaster recovery (DR) solution available through Asigra. This completes Skycloud’s data protection solution lineup and strengthens its position as one of China's leading cloud solution integrators. 

According to Eran Farajun, EVP, Asigra, "We are enjoying double-digit customer growth internationally and understand that cloud adoption in China will happen in a unique way, presenting challenges that require localized knowledge of the market. Skycloud, a cloud-focused SI, shares Asigra’s vision while offering a unique understanding and expertise in this region. Working together, we bring market experience and technological excellence to the table for a winning team that delivers affordable, highly secure, convenient backup solutions to the Chinese market." 

About Asigra Cloud Backup

Asigra Cloud Backup enables users to back-up their important corporate data to a remote data center using a highly encrypted FIPS 140-2 certified method. This advanced backup platform supports businesses with affordable and manageable data protection offered through experienced cloud service providers. Asigra Cloud Backup also enables IT managers of large enterprises to protect large distributed IT environments or to implement service-oriented backup and recovery to internal private cloud users. Asigra technology is agentless for easy management and leads the industry with powerful features such as local data deduplication and tiered recovery management.

About Skycloud

Skycloud Technology was formed in Beijing in 2009 to meet the need and opportunity to integrate cloud platforms and systems for private enterprises and service providers. Since then Skycloud has overseen a number of successful projects and cooperations in China including winning the bid to supply Pudong Software park in Shanghai with a full stack cloud service platform, successful IaaS, VDI and HPC projects with a number of China's largest enterprises, and partnering with Chinese and foreign technology suppliers to bring a leading range of cloud computing solutions to Chinese enterprises.