Hitachi Data Systems has announced a strategic initiative aimed at the further expansion into global SME markets.
The announcement follows its strategic launch into the modular data storage market in early 2003, with the announcement of the Thunder 9500 series. According to the company, the move is backed by a significant investment by Hitachi in China and other key Asian and Eastern European markets.
The latest initiative includes the announcement of a storage solution `starter kit` for consolidation and data backup (built on the new Hitachi Thunder 9520V Workgroup Modular Storage system) which has been specifically positioned, priced and configured with channel partners in mind.
The offering, the first channel-only storage solution from the company, will be sold exclusively by Hitachi`s channel partners around the globe - including Acer in Asia, Maxdata in Europe and Shoden Data Systems in sub-Saharan Africa.
Fanie van Rensburg, MD of Shoden Data Systems, explains that by optimising the package for channel partners and distributors, HDS has delivered a data storage solution that will enable his company, and others like it, to use the Thunder 9520V Workgroup Modular Storage system as the foundation to which it can add its own services and vertical market expertise to provide custom solutions for clients.
"Many customers in the SME market are still using server internal or direct attached storage. As the companies grow, these two approaches quickly become difficult to scale and manage, leading to inefficient utilisation, unacceptable application quality of service, and increased costs. With this package, channel partners will be able to help their customers consolidate storage onto a Thunder 9520V system and quickly and easily build and deploy their first SAN."
"The SME customers face many of the same problems as large enterprises: growing storage needs and the complexity of managing multiple file servers with limited resources," he continues.
"These companies traditionally had to settle for marginal storage products with questionable reliability. Today`s announcement will give them access to the Hitachi brand with a solution that is competitively priced, and optimised for channel partners to deliver added value."
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With offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town, Shoden Data Systems (Pty) Ltd is the sole distributor for Hitachi Data Systems in SA.
Shoden Data Systems also has strategic agreements with CNT - a provider of storage networking solutions, products and services- and is a reseller of Fujitsu Siemens Computers. In addition, the company is a Veritas Premier Partner, providing integrated, managed, best-of-breed storage area network solutions to the marketplace, and also distributes VMware, virtual machine software for Intel-based systems.
Based on more than 200 collective years of experience in the service, support and marketing of Hitachi products, Shoden Data Systems uses its intellectual capital and industry leading products to provide customers with total solutions in the storage, enterprise servers and connectivity arenas.
The following offerings are available:
1. Storage - HDS Freedom storage range, including the enterprise-level Lightning 9900 series and the modular Thunder 9500 series
2. Connectivity - CNT and Brocade
3. Servers - Fujitsu Siemens PrimePower range of servers
Hitachi Data Systems
Hitachi Data Systems leverages global R&D resources to develop storage solutions built on industry-leading technology with the performance, availability and scalability to maximise customers` ROI and minimise their risk. By focusing on the customer`s perspective as we apply the best hardware, software and services from Hitachi and our partners, we uniquely satisfy our customers` business needs.
With 2 700 employees, Hitachi Data Systems conducts business through direct and indirect channels in the public, government and private sectors in over 170 countries. Its customers include more than 50% of Fortune 100 companies. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.eu.hds.com.
Hitachi, Ltd
Hitachi, Ltd (NYSE: HIT), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company, with approximately 340 000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2002 (ended 31 March 2003) consolidated sales totalled 8,191.7 billion yen ($68.3 billion). The company offers a wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors, including information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems, consumer products, materials and financial services. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company`s Web site at http://www.hitachi.com.
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