P1's offering in this space, vFRAME, uses storage from Tintri, but also features a loosely coupled design that that lets customers mix and match server, networking, and storage components as they see fit, according to Cardenas.

Cardenas said a major technical university has deployed vFRAME to run its entire campus private cloud, a deal in which P1 beat out converged infrastructure offerings from some large traditional vendors.

"The client wanted more functionality and performance with less management to support their virtual environment," Cardenas said. "That spurred us to come up with a simpler and far more functional converged architecture."

P1 is well positioned in Southern California to get good market data on new technology adoption. The region is home to companies in almost every industry vertical, from life sciences, high tech, electronic design automation, aerospace, finance, health care, insurance, energy, automotive and of course, media and entertainment.

"We have the advantage of good street data, because of the vast industry vertical representation and more importantly because we represent the client, not the manufacturer.  That objectivity allows us to build value for our clients.  It saves them from making investments in technology that isn’t going anywhere and enables them to capitalize on technology that is truly game-changing" said Cardenas.

Cardenas expects the combination of P1's location, vendor objectivity, and its well-honed ability to identify game-changing storage technology to continue to be a competitive differentiator.