A data grid is data storage software that represents one sub-segment of in-memory computing, which allows for fast access to large volumes of data. The data grid stores data in multiple, distributed servers, which can be managed centrally. The distributed data grid brings versatility to systems by storing structured as well as unstructured data, and enabling different kinds of data processing.
The distributed data grids market in (around) 60 seconds
According to RedHat, one of the market’s key vendors, the main characteristics of a data grid are:
- In-memory, distributed caching
- Map/reduce
- Elastic scalability
- Advanced querying
- Data replication
- Processing for streaming data
- Transaction capabilities
The concept of using in-memory for storage and computing purposes is not new, but the technology has gained traction due to recent innovations around scale-out architecture and reduced memory prices.
Market size and forecast
The distributed data grid market was valued at $525.5 million in 2014 and we expect it to reach $2,400.32 million by 2019, growing at a CAGR of 35.5%.
As an embedded component, distributed data grids are in the developing stage. While the market is looking pretty appealing to in-memory computing software vendors—with many companies starting to offer data grid solutions as stand-alone features—Technavio expects that distributed data grid software will take about 4-5 years to gain real prominence as a stand-alone solution.
At the moment, organizations with a stake in the big data game—including IBM, Oracle, Red Hat, Software AG and VMWare—are dominating the market, with increased market consolidation expected to cement their place at the top by 2019.
Data grids could be especially useful for IoT applications
The emergence of the Internet of Things or IoT, which connects everyday devices with the help of in-built sensors and embedded systems, is expected to be a huge trend to watch in this growing market.
Connected devices in the IoT generate a lot of data that organizations can use to provide personalized and highly automated solutions to clients.
And distributed data grids actually make this data collection easier, by tracking the data and analyzing it in real time, which helps identify trends and insights in a specific market. Distributed data grid software is used to store and update large and fast-moving data sets like financial data and information generated from e-commerce store fronts.
