Avnet Technology Solutions UK introduces new NetApp and Microsoft entry-level solution

Avnet Technology Solutions, the global IT solutions distributor and an operating group of Avnet, Inc., has introduced a new entry level solution to the UK market which integrates NetApp's advanced virtualisation feature set and Microsoft's private cloud solution.  Comprehensive integration is provided at the hardware, hypervisor, automation, management and orchestration levels.  The new combination is designed to meet the needs of mid-size businesses by offering a starting place to build virtualised storage and private cloud solutions.

 
Taisha Betz, Microsoft business manager, Avnet Technology Solutions UK, explained, "Mid-sized businesses have the same challenges as much larger organisations.  There is a requirement for maximum flexibility in IT to react to business needs and constant pressure to reduce operational costs and risks in deploying business applications, particularly as data volumes continue to expand at explosive rates. The combined NetApp and Microsoft proposition from Avnet provides a simplified fast track option to virtualised storage and the next step into private cloud deployment."
 
Working with business partners, Avnet is supporting this initiative with a series of briefings, configuration services, and sales support tools such as a return on investment (ROI) calculator and a packaged end user seminar for business partners to use to stimulate market demand.  Avnet's ability to combine products from two leading vendors and add value in terms of technical and marketing capabilities will allow business partners to deliver a complete solution to mid-size customers under pressure to improve simplicity, performance and scalability. 
 
"This programme will be of particular interest to Avnet business partners with skills and business plans around Microsoft Hyper-V and System Center who also have a NetApp storage business or are considering starting one," said Betz.  "NetApp and Microsoft have many years of experience of working together to develop tried and tested integrated products.  Avnet is now making these solutions more accessible by reducing the complexity, offering entry level pricing and simplifying the message for business partners to articulate to their customers."
Pete Rawden, partner sales director for the UK and Ireland at NetApp, said, "Mid-size businesses are under pressure to keep pace with growing business demands and to do more with fewer resources.  Implementing virtualisation is a great way to cut costs and deal with data volumes.  With this packaged solution from NetApp and Microsoft and the added value from Avnet and its business partners, organisations will be able to get the right start and grow with the needs of their businesses. Avnet has the logistical, sales, marketing and technical skills required to make this initiative a success."  

Wayne Meyer, Windows Server product manager at Microsoft UK, concluded, "We are seeing a growing demand from our customers for data centre management solutions that span vendors, technologies, physical and virtual environments, applications and clouds.  Microsoft's solution for the private cloud is already in use in many data centres across the UK, delivering better efficiencies and driving greater value for customers and partners.  Our partners continue to be well positioned to assist customers in building infrastructure that is ready for the future."