Tech Vendors to Watch in 2019

Ask anyone to list today's most successful companies, and what's the most likely response? Most of us would immediately say Amazon, Apple, and Google or some variation -- companies borne out of the tech boom and the information age. Or maybe we'd mention Walmart, General Motors, or Citigroup, companies that are using new technological advances to rethink their very business models.

The truth is, any successful company today must also be a tech business. Technology has become an inseparable part of modern business, shaping how every company creates products, delivers them and interacts with customers. A solid technical foundation can mean the difference between a successful business venture and one that falls flat. And the need for data security is one no company can afford to ignore.

The growing importance of technology also means that there are more vendors and service providers lining up to help you "digitize" and "transform." The choices can be overwhelming, and choosing incorrectly can be expensive, messy, and downright disastrous.

While we can't make product and vendor selection painless, we can help streamline the process. InformationWeek and its sister publications Dark Reading and Network Computing have teamed up to bring you a roundup of the hottest vendors in cloud, DevOps, infrastructure, security, and data and analytics.

Below you'll find links to a list of vendors to watch in each of these five product categories. The companies recognized represent 115 of the most compelling technology providers in the market today, ranging from established players to brand-new startups. 

The vendors chosen were based on many criteria, including market leadership, analyst reviews, user reviews, depth of product portfolio, and product distinctiveness. While not intended to be comprehensive or exhaustive listings, they aim to provide a snapshot of interesting products and players, as well as a starting point of viable options for any IT leader working to make their business a tech business.

Top tech vendors to watch

Cloud: In this fast-changing market, even the biggest cloud providers must choose: innovate or die. Learn about the new cloud trends and technologies cloud providers are adding to their already massive portfolios of services and the companies emerging to join their ranks.

Data and Analytics: Organizations are using data to facilitate digital transformation, making data analytics a booming market. We highlight vendors that are addressing enterprise challenges with products for advanced analytics, machine learning, and data governance.  

DevOps: Given the growing interest in DevOps, it's not surprising that this year more vendors are beginning to offer DevOps tools. Others are expanding their lineup of DevOps products and have added new features to existing tools.

Infrastructure: IT infrastructure vendors are embracing software and service-based options, and developing a host of innovative technologies. 

Security: Cybersecurity is top of mind for every IT team, and there's no shortage of options on the market. Check out the vendors that are garnering attention in the security industry because of the investments they made, the companies they acquired, the funding they attracted, or the strategic options they chose.