At the 24th Gartner Annual Data Centre Conference currently being held in Las Vegas, Hitachi Data Systems has announced that it is the first fibre channel storage array provider to achieve Microsoft's Simple SAN for Windows Server designation, by successfully completing compatibility testing of the Hitachi TagmaStore Adaptable Modular Storage models AMS200 and AMS500, and Workgroup Modular Storage model WMS100.
Fanie van Rensburg, MD of Shoden Data Systems, explains that storage area networks (SANs) have provided many large enterprises with highly scaleable, flexible and better storage utilisation. "However," he says, "SANs can be complex and difficult for smaller organisations to afford, implement, and manage. By collaborating with Microsoft, HDS aims to advance SAN simplification by ensuring interoperability, simplifying hardware setup and helping customers make informed SAN purchase decisions."
"HDS has a proven track record of understanding the specific needs of small and medium size businesses," comments Dr Claude Lorenson, group product manager, Storage Technologies at Microsoft.
"Small and medium size businesses are facing the same storage challenges as large enterprises when it comes to performance and manageability," continues van Rensburg. "The Microsoft Simple SAN for Windows Server programme aims to simplify SAN implementation and management and reduce costs."
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With offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town, Shoden Data Systems is the sole distributor for Hitachi Data Systems in South Africa. Shoden Data Systems also has strategic agreements with McData - a provider of storage networking solutions, products and services - and is an authorised enterprise solutions and service provider of Fujitsu Siemens Computers. In addition, the company is a Veritas Elite Partner, providing integrated, managed, best-of-breed storage software solutions to the marketplace.
Based on more than 350 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 Storage Range, Storage Product of the Year 2004
Hitachi Network Storage Controller series
Hitachi Tagmastore Universal Storage Platform Series
Hitachi Workgroup Modular Series
Hitachi Adapatable Modular Series
2. Connectivity
MCDATA, Brocade and CISCO
Fibre Channel Switches and Directors
Channel Extension
3. Servers - Fujitsu Siemens Servers
PRIMEPOWER - SPARC based Solaris servers.
PRIMERGY - Intel-based servers
PRIMEQUEST - Itanium-based servers
4. Software
Veritas Commercial and Enterprise products
HDS Storage Software
5. Data Centre Services
Design, Architect, Implement and Support of Data Centre solutions based on our world leading offerings.
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
Hitachi, 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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