Alternative Technology Expands Virtualization Practice With LeftHand Networks' Open iSCSI SANs
Alternative Technology, a leading specialty distributor of thin-client/server-based computing, edge infrastructure, virtualization, and government-approved security solutions, recently announced that it has signed a value-added distribution agreement with LeftHand Networks, the leader in open iSCSI SANs. Under the agreement, Alternative Technology will promote and distribute LeftHand Networks' Open iSCSI SAN technology to its network of 3,000 resellers in the United States and Canada. Channel sales, training and pre-sales support will commence immediately, with general availability Nov. 7.
"This agreement represents a major expansion of Alternative Technology's virtual infrastructure solution strategy, broadening and complementing our current portfolio of VMware virtualization and Citrix-based infrastructure solutions with open iSCSI SANs for x86 server platforms," said Tom Zorn, executive vice president, Alternative Technology. "iSCSI is a viable new technology that will allow our channel partners to leverage their technical and market presence in legacy network and server virtualization to sell SAN hardware for business continuity/data recovery applications, which is a significant growth market opportunity."
According to industry research firm IDC, iSCSI is the fastest growing segment of the storage industry. During 2006, the iSCSI SAN market grew by 144 percent, to $746 million, and is predicted to grow to $5 billion by 2010.
"We are pleased to have Alternative Technology as our newest distributor and are excited about the sales and technical support they will offer to their extensive network of VARs across North America in support of our iSCSI SAN," said David Bangs, vice president of sales at LeftHand Networks. "Alternative Technology's presence in the virtualization market, its strong relationship with VMware, and through Arrow, its strength in enterprise-class x86 servers from HP and IBM, makes them a very important distribution channel for us."
The relationship with Alternative Technology extends LeftHand Networks' distribution in North America, and brings additional value to LeftHand Networks' resellers through Alternative Technology's focused product offering, advanced technical services and top-notch sales support. As a subsidiary of Arrow Electronics [NYSE: ARW], Alternative Technology connects LeftHand Networks' resellers with complementary enterprise-class storage products through Arrow's Enterprise Computing Solutions (ECS) unit, including: HP, IBM, Sun Microsystems, Network Appliance, EMC and Hitachi Data Systems.
The combination of enterprise-class x86 servers from HP and IBM with LeftHand Networks' SAN/iQ storage software creates a highly virtualized SAN environment for end customers. LeftHand's easy-to-deploy, open iSCSI SAN is scalable and provides high availability, reliability and performance. LeftHand's clustered SAN is managed from a single pane of glass within the user interface, allowing end customers to simplify their consolidated storage resources while providing a scaleable storage environment.
LeftHand's new Virtual SAN Appliance for VMware enables high availability and simple disaster recovery for small to medium enterprises, and remote and branch offices. Locations once considered too small or numerous for implementing SANs, can now benefit from the advanced technology VMware provides in larger environments. Utilizing as few as two servers, remote offices can enable all the enterprise-class features and remote management once considered out of reach for small offices. Incorporating all remote and branch offices into the same management used for the corporate data center lowers cost of ownership while simplifying backup and recovery. LeftHand's easy-to-deploy, open iSCSI SAN is scalable and provides high availability, reliability and performance. LeftHand's clustered SAN is managed from a single point within the user interface, allowing end customers to simplify their consolidated storage resources while providing a scaleable storage environment.
About LeftHand Networks LeftHand Networks pioneered IP-based storage area networks (SAN) in 2001. SANs built using LeftHand's SAN/iQ software are uniquely able to distribute and protect data across a cluster of industry-standard storage servers. The company's patented architecture increases data availability, allows users to start small and grow the SAN seamlessly, and simplifies management. The LeftHand SAN is ideal for storage and server consolidation, campus SANs, and disaster recovery. For more information, contact LeftHand at info@lefthandnetworks.com.
About Alternative Technology
Alternative Technology is a leading specialty distributor for value-added resellers who need products and services targeted at thin-client/server-based computing, edge infrastructure, virtualization, security, and wireless markets. Driving the widespread adoption of leading-edge technologies by bridging the gaps between products and services to solve critical business problems, Alternative identifies business issues that are key to its markets and offers multivendor solutions that drive demand back through its reseller partners. Alternative Technology, headquartered in Englewood, Co., has offices in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Carlsbad, Calif., and Mississauga, Canada. Alternative Technology is a wholly owned subsidiary of Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions, which is a business unit of Arrow Electronics, Inc. For more information, go to: www.AltTech.com,
SOURCE: Alternative Technology