Reinforcing its commitment to its channel partners, Hitachi Data Systems, which sells both directly to end-users and through a worldwide network of partners, has established a new global partnering initiative based on the TrueNorth collaborative business model.
The TrueNorth Solutions Alliance unites all Hitachi Data Systems partners under one umbrella, providing consistent policies, programmes and processes across all channels. The aim, according to Fanie van Rensburg, MD of local distributor Shoden Data Systems, is to ensure that partners have the necessary information, training, support, certifications and incentives to develop and deliver open storage solutions with room for value-added services and software.
"We believe that an open and collaborative business model provides our customers with access to the best storage solutions in the market," comments Jeff Chalker, director of channels for Hitachi Data Systems EMEA. "The TrueNorth Solutions Alliance was designed to support our partners and build mutually beneficial, long-term business relationships. Strong channel and technology partnerships will allow Hitachi Data Systems to expand its installation base by penetrating new markets."
The TrueNorth Solutions Alliance is made up of four partnership programmes:
* TrueNorth Solutions Partner Programme - customised for channel partners, this is a tiered programme that qualifies distribution partners, solutions providers and systems integrators, and provides corresponding benefits to each partner. Benefits include financial rewards, marketing and partner promotion, and sales and training resources.
* TrueNorth Global Solutions Partners Programme - Similar to the TrueNorth Solutions Partner Programme, this programme is targeted at global systems integrators and vertical integrators in markets such as healthcare, life sciences, rich media, financial services and telecommunications.
* TrueNorth Technology Partners Programme - Designed for storage area network (SAN) solutions partners and independent software vendors, this programme provides key technology partners with tools, training and certifications to ensure their solutions work seamlessly with Hitachi Freedom Storage systems.
* TrueNorth Developer Partners Programme - This programme encourages storage application developers to build and deploy storage management products based on the HiCommand application programming interfaces (APIs). In addition, Hitachi Data Systems also supports openness and collaboration through its work with industry leaders to promote open standards. This allows storage hardware vendors to be managed by consistent methods using standards-based interfaces and APIs.
For the first time, Hitachi Data Systems has added certification to the partner programme to identify the unique skills and services provided by partners. Certification and accreditation programmes enable partners to differentiate themselves and develop the expertise to offer value-added services specific to Hitachi Data Systems products. The programme provides three levels of training and qualification:
* Product Authorisation - provides partners with the product knowledge required for Hitachi modular and enterprise products.
* Certification - designed for individuals seeking the skill sets critical to architecting solutions based on Hitachi Freedom Storage systems.
* Accreditation - provides partners with the infrastructure, expertise and credibility to deliver best-in-class storage solutions.
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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. In addition, Shoden Data Systems is the sole distributor of INRANGE Technologies Corporation, the world's leading manufacturer of Channel Extenders, Fibre Channel and ESCON/FICON directors. Shoden Data Systems is also a Veritas Premier Partner and provides integrated, managed, best-of-breed storage area network solutions to the marketplace. 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 - the HDS Freedom storage range, including Lightning 9900 and 9200.
2. Connectivity - the Inrange FC/9000 Fibre Channel/ FICON Director, ESCON Directors and Channel Extenders.
Hitachi Data Systems
Hitachi Data Systems is committed to enabling organisations worldwide to exploit the full potential of information. By following and deploying our TrueNorth strategy, we provide customers with a broad range of storage solutions to simplify, protect and optimise their information infrastructures. Our offerings include enterprise and modular storage systems and software, professional services, fully complemented by best-of-breed products through industry alliances. With 2 700 employees, Hitachi Data Systems conducts business through direct sales and resellers in the public, government and private sectors in over 170 countries on six continents. Its customers include more than 50% of Fortune 100 companies. For more information, please visit http://www.eu.hds.com.
Hitachi, Ltd
Hitachi, Ltd, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company, with approximately 320 000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2001 (ended 31 March 2002) consolidated sales totalled $60.1 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 http://global.hitachi.com.
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