DataCore Partners Launching Range Of Easy-To-Use LAN And SAN 'Disk Servers'

DataCore, a leading independent software vendor specializing in storage control, management and consolidation, today announced its first worldwide partners to market and sell integrated storage solutions based on the Company's latest product, SANmelody software. The value-added offerings address a broad choice of storage expansion and data protection requirements, ranging from inexpensive entry-level iSCSI/Ethernet LAN disk servers to very large full-featured Fibre Channel platforms.

These many Powered by DataCore alternatives combine powerful and cost-effective hardware with SANmelody software to span the variety of capacity, function, throughput and price points necessary to fulfill the needs of organizations large and small. The partners have been chosen according to core competencies, geographic coverage and go-to-market strengths.

"DataCore's SANmelody disk servers represent an ideal storage solution for mid-sized enterprises and remote locations of larger enterprises, especially where direct attach storage predominates," said Mike Kahn, managing director of The Clipper Group, Inc., technology acquisition consultants based in Wellesley, Mass. He added, "DataCore is smart to anticipate the needs of these enterprises and they are off to a great start on building an ecosystem to supply disk servers to meet their needs. The variety of SANmelody offerings is key to meeting each enterprise's need at the right price."

Joining Forces to Ensure the Rapid Market Penetration of Disk Servers
Among those working together with DataCore to market and fuel sales of packaged SANmelody solutions are OEMs, resellers and system integrators. Present European OEMs include NCE Computer Group Europe Limited, Transam Microsystems Ltd., Fortuna Power Systems and Transtec AG, a leading Intel server system builder who has already started shipping Powered by DataCore disk servers. These firms are under the care of DataCore's European OEM marketing partner, Comprobo.

In the Asia Pacific region, Argo 21 Corporation, one of Japan's major system builders and solution providers, is shipping disk servers. Memorex Telex, has already announced the first of multiple customer orders in Japan (e.g., Nippon Office Systems Ltd.) for its SANmelody-equipped SAN Volume M@GIC disk server offering. Keane, Inc., one of the largest providers of information technology and business consulting services in North America and the UK, is currently working with clients in the government, healthcare and telecommunications industries to implement and utilize SANmelody disk servers within Windows and Unix based networks.

Value Added Distributors such as Bell Microproducts in the US, Logix in France, Belgium and Spain, ACAL in Germany, and InTechnology in the UK, supply SANmelody software and pre-kitted hardware to specialized value add business partners and system integrators, who ultimately tailor the solution for end-users. The distribution channels typically repurpose select models of Intel and/or AMD-based servers as the core platforms for disk servers.

In addition, the following authorized DataCore partners sell and promote SANmelody solutions in the US and Canada:

• Computech Resources Inc. is a full service provider of information technology solutions and services. They deliver enterprise solutions and services that reduce costs, increase revenues and minimize business risk.
• Cypress Technologies is a storage integrator that focuses on the design and integration of Storage Area Networks (SANs) and complete backup and recovery solutions. Cypress has partnerships with many of the leading manufacturers in the storage and backup industry, such as DataCore and CommVault Systems.
• GTSI, a recognized IT solutions leader, focusing exclusively on federal, state, and local government customers worldwide, will offer a range of DataCore solutions including Gateway-based disk servers.
• InfraStor Technologies is an expert integrator of networked storage solutions that are built on best-of-breed technologies from a select group of partners. As an extension to its StorDomain family of storage servers, Infrastor is building on the long-term relationship with DataCore by introducing a series of SANmelody-based products that will feature unique value-added storage management extensions developed by InfraStor.
• Proactive Technologies delivers fail-safe servers and storage technology to meet the uniquely demanding requirements of digital prepress, printing and publishing industries. The Company's systems are designed to provide a standards-based digital infrastructure that supports the high-speed transfer of large data objects over gigabit networks and SANs. Proactive plans to leverage SANmelody in its solution offerings.
• Selenetix Corporation is expert in the deployment of industry standard open source storage solutions that optimize investments in new technologies with in-place assets. Selenetix closes the gap between customer's expectations and final deliverable(s) for Fibre Channel and iSCSI SANs. This begins with full demonstrations of all offered technologies in the Company's dedicated customer assessment facility and continues through turnkey implementation and lifecycle support.
• ThinApse Corporation, covering Western Canada and Washington, focuses on providing clients with cost-effective e-Infrastructures to deliver any application over any network to any computing device, working closely with partners such as Citrix, IBM and DataCore.
• Troubadour Ltd. is recognized for data networking, data storage and data protection solutions that address critical business challenges. Troubadour will be architecting SANmelody-based solutions in order to provide a creative way to solve traditional storage challenges.
• Vista Computer, Inc., a DataCore business partner in Salt Lake City, Utah, plans to offer SANmelody solutions targeted at small and medium businesses. The storage solutions will provide entry-level iSCSI capability with capacities starting at 1TB. Vista storage solutions will provide small and medium businesses the opportunity to benefit from SAN technology at an affordable price.

International partners include:

• ACAL Storage Networking is known as the expert distributor of storage networking hardware, software and services to enable the channel and customers to network the world's business data. The software portfolio will include DataCore's SANmelody to provide small and middle-sized companies with high-performing and affordable storage solutions.
• Bechtle Group is recognized as one of Germany's largest independent systems integrators and IT solution providers for the commercial sector. Bechtle offers storage solutions for mid-sized customers based on SANmelody and a range of PC servers from market-leading vendors. Bechtle's solutions will also be available through Internet direct sales across Europe.
• Becom Informationssysteme GmbH is a certified IBM Premier Business Partner and one of Central Europe's leading system and solution vendors for the midrange market. Becom will integrate SANmelody as the core component of its storage solution called 'viLine XX - the Storage Consolidation Box.'
• CEMA AG, a DataCore Elite Partner, is one of Germany's leading integration specialists for IT and network solutions offering a comprehensive portfolio of consulting, design and implementation of IT projects. CEMA will offer customizable all-in-one SANmelody disk server solutions on various hardware platforms including Dell servers.
• Kingswell headquartered in Northampton, UK, will specify, service and support data storage; content; availability; legislation; performance; prediction; acquisition; distribution and security management solutions. Part of SunGard, a global multi-billion-dollar provider of integrated IT solutions, the company vision is to be engaged in interdependent partnerships with integrity and passion for mutual business benefit. Kingswell plans to expand its offerings with DataCore SANmelody solutions.
• Kramer & Crew offers integrated IT solutions targeted at medium sized companies. Kramer & Crew will provide SANmelody solutions for cost-conscious medium sized businesses. Kramer & Crew SANmelody disk servers will be available on various hardware platforms, including Fujitsu Siemens servers.
• S-Store Ltd. is focused on providing business continuance, data availability and data management solutions to the European marketplace. S-Store, an established DataCore partner, is pleased to introduce iSAN networked storage solutions. iSAN, Powered by DataCore SANmelody, delivers modular iSCSI and Fibre Channel networked storage solutions capable of delivering true enterprise functionality at an exceptional price point.
• TriSys Ltd. since its conception in 1991 has grown to become one of the UK's most respected independent dedicated suppliers of data management solutions. The company has successfully integrated data management, protection, availability, storage and archiving solutions into many blue chip companies throughout the UK. TriSys will be adding SANmelody to its extensive data management portfolio to enhance and improve the data management tools currently offered to customers.

Strategic Alliance partner Emulex Corporation has also joined forces with DataCore to drive the growing 'disk server' momentum in the marketplace. DataCore is working closely with Emulex to ensure integrated driver support for its Host Bus Adapters (HBAs) within the SANmelody solution.

LSI Logic, a DataCore strategic alliance partner is working with DataCore to promote 'disk server' solutions. LSI Logic Fibre Channel PCI and PXI-X HBAs are certified to be compatible with SANmelody. DataCore and LSI will bundle SANmelody and LSI HBAs to facilitate and promote disk server bundles to the channel.

nStor Corporation, Inc., a leading designer and manufacturer of RAID controllers, JBODs and innovative arrays and new cost effective Serial-ATA storage platforms, is adding SANmelody software to its arsenal of 'Simplifying Storage Solutions' product offerings.

Disk Servers - The Compelling Alternative
The remarkable flexibility of SANmelody software makes Powered by DataCore disk servers the ideal storage platform. Partners gain the flexibility to easily tailor well-differentiated and affordable storage solutions for every new customer.

George Teixeira, CEO and president of DataCore hints at the possibilities. "Clearly, disk servers offer the traditional storage hardware channel a compelling alternative to conventional arrays. But the more intriguing impact is with server and software solution providers who can now aggressively pursue the large, untapped base of cost sensitive Windows and Linux users accustomed to expanding capacity by adding more servers. SANmelody gives them the tools to blow the market opportunity wide open."

About DataCore Software
DataCore Software fundamentally changes the economics of managing storage with innovative software that combines advanced functions and services with the agility and savings of hardware independence. The company's award-winning SANsymphony and new low-cost SANmelody disk server software products provide unprecedented purchasing flexibility and future-proofing by empowering customers to fulfill portability and price/performance requirements across a broad choice of systems and devices. Small to Medium Enterprises, Global 2000 data centers and OEM storage subsystems rely on this comprehensive product portfolio to deploy disk servers, to easily add capacity expansion and to centralize and automate storage management for Windows, Unix, Linux, MacOS and NetWare systems. DataCore is privately held with corporate headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. For international office locations and more information, call (877) 780-5111 or visit www.datacore.com.