LeftHand Networks Continues to Expand Open iSCSI SAN Market Overseas
CONTACT:
Tracey Floming
LeftHand Networks
tracey.floming@lefthandnetworks.com
Boulder, CO March 03, 2006
LeftHand Networks®, the leading provider of complete iSCSI storage area network (SAN) solutions built using patented network storage clustering technology, today announced it has expanded its European customer and reseller base. LeftHand has partnered with Germany-based reseller Teracuda, a reseller offering complete IT solutions, including storage management and backup solutions. Teracuda is a VAR for UK distributor Headway Technology Group Ltd., a business division of Europe’s premier specialist distributor for document management and storage products, ACAL IT. Together, LeftHand, Headway and Teracuda will bring Open iSCSI SAN solutions to the German and broader European markets.
The continued growth and expansion of LeftHand’s presence within Europe is a testament to the strength of LeftHand’s UK Sales Headquarters, which has been established in Bloxham, Oxfordshire for over a year. “Headway’s vast distribution channel and the innovative LeftHand SAN/iQ software have spearheaded iSCSI adoption in the European market,” said Marcus Thompson, Director of LeftHand’s European Sales. “This partnership has enabled LeftHand to reach knowledgeable and technologically advanced resellers, such as Teracuda, and extends the accessibility of iSCSI SAN benefits to European customers.”
According to Christoph Schulz, CEO for Teracuda, storage requirements continue to grow throughout Europe as companies move away from direct-attached storage to more robust, scalable storage solutions, such as iSCSI SAN offerings. Teracuda is focused on validating what is becoming a strong iSCSI market and educating customers on the benefits and basic technology behind iSCSI SANs.
“The European SMB market is demanding more cost-efficient, manageable, and full-featured storage solutions due to complex storage issues,” said Schulz, “In order to meet those demands, we examined a variety of storage vendors, but chose LeftHand based on their industry leadership and their innovative, non-proprietary solution that allows customers to choose the hardware platform that best suits their needs. LeftHand’s Open iSCSI SAN solution is easy to explain and simple to implement, making the market education process move much more smoothly.”
LeftHand Networks and Teracuda have been strategic partners since September of 2005. Teracuda’s focus on the education sector combined with LeftHand Networks’ innovative storage software, SAN/iQ, will help European entities improve their approach to critical storage applications. Teracuda is currently selling LeftHand’s SAN/iQ software on several hardware platforms, including the HP ProLiant DL380, and LeftHand’s NSM 160 and 260.
Karl Chen, vice president of channels marketing and business development for LeftHand Networks, stated, “Our relationship with Teracuda illustrates our focus on driving growth in new markets and providing unique storage choices to customers worldwide. We chose Teracuda as a new strategic partner based on their deep knowledge of the market, solid distribution channel and strong client focus.”
Teracuda’s customer, Data Display, a world-wide active manufacturer, developer and vendor of finished products for TFT flat-screen technology based in Munich, Germany, recently implemented an Open iSCSI SAN environment with three HP ProLiant DL 380s and LeftHand’s SAN/iQ software. “Previously we were using direct-attached storage, and we were looking for a more scalable, reliable and best performance storage solution,” said Data Display IT Manager Andreas Hermes. “The LeftHand solution was cost-effective and will allow us to scale our storage needs as we grow. In addition, having a choice in hardware platforms meant we were able to choose the best solution for our IT environment.”
LeftHand will be demonstrating their Open iSCSI SAN technology at Headway’s booth during CeBIT, the world’s largest trade fair showcasing digital IT and telecommunications solutions, from March 9 – March 15, 2006. Visit Headway and LeftHand in CeBIT Hall 1 Stand L89.
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 primary storage and server consolidation, centralized backup, and the disaster recovery. For more information, contact LeftHand at info@lefthandnetworks.com.
# # #
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
