MultiChoice selects Shoden Data Systems for data storage solution

Issued by Cogent Communications for Shoden Data Systems

Johannesburg, 28 Jul 2004

Having established its position in the mid-range storage market with the Thunder 9500V series, Shoden Data Systems has added MultiChoice to its modular-system customer list.

The deal, worth approximately R5 million, saw the implementation of the vendor's mid-range storage system in MultiChoice's IT environment.

According to Errol du Preez, MultiChoice CIO, the company aimed to centralise its storage footprint without sacrificing capacity or performance. "This storage solution was also selected based on its scalability and protection of investment: the Thunder 9500V is fully compatible with Hitachi's entire range of data storage solutions - right up to enterprise level," he explains.

"Shoden's BEE credentials were also a significant part of the signing of this deal," he adds.

According to Fanie van Rensburg, MD of Shoden Data Systems, Hitachi's Freedom Storage Thunder 9500V storage systems are well suited to environments requiring small to medium-scale consolidation. "The business aim is to optimise performance and the utilisation of resources. Thunder 9500's performance level - combined with its high capacity and packing density - provides a cost-effective solution for this type of business environment."

Shoden Data Systems

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 & 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.

MultiChoice

MultiChoice Africa (MCA) is a multi-channel pay television platform with channels from Africa, Europe, Asia and USA. It provides premium television entertainment to 971 866 digital subscribers (September 2003) in 49 countries on the African continent and adjacent Indian Ocean islands through its DStv Bouquet.

Through the introduction of a dynamic technology platform and the assembling of an excellent bouquet of channels, built around compelling and premium movie and sports channels, MCA has succeeded in building a significant television business, which spans the African continent.

Operations include world-class subscriber management services and the management of a digital satellite television platform broadcasting over 50 video and 56 audio channels 24 hours a day - also included are a number of data channels, the first non-return path Interactive television offerings on the continent. In March 2002 MCA demonstrated its continuing innovation by launching full return path based Interactive television services, and new integrated programme related Interactive services.

MCA is one of the outstanding examples of a pioneering African company, owned by the MIH Group, an international player providing entertainment, technology and e-commerce services.

MCA's involvement in Africa goes beyond its core business, with social investment programmes in every country in which it operates. One of the Company's biggest development projects is a teacher development programme undertaken in partnership with the South African Department of Education, through the MultiChoice Africa Foundation. This programme uses satellite and information communication technology to train teachers in rural and disadvantaged urban centres across SA.

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