Datalink Recognized as Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Authorized Technology Provider

Datalink Corp. has received the Data Center Unified Computing Authorized Technology Provider (ATP) status from Cisco Systems, Inc.

This designation recognizes Datalink as having fulfilled the training and program prerequisites to sell, deploy and support the Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) solution in the United States. Along with the Cisco Gold Certified Partner status, Datalink has also completed Advanced Data Center Storage Networking (DCSN) and Advanced Data Center Networking Infrastructure (DCNI) specializations to design, sell, deploy and support comprehensive Cisco data center solutions.

The Cisco UCS solution unites network, computational, storage access, and virtualization resources in a single space and energy-efficient system. The UCS solution can reduce the costs and complexity of information technology (IT) infrastructure, help extend capital assets, and improve business agility well into the future. A new computing model, the Cisco Unified Computing System uses integrated management and combines a ‘wire once’” unified fabric with an industry-standard computing platform to optimize virtualization, reduce the data center’s total overall cost, and provide dynamic resource provisioning for businesses that are becoming increasingly collaborative, mobile and distributed.

“The advancement of our Cisco expertise and partnership is another example of Datalink’s commitment to delivering to our customers comprehensive data center solutions that meet their business needs. As with all our premier OEM partnerships, Datalink takes pride in the expertise we represent for our partners in providing our customers the most advanced and proven solutions. With Cisco advanced specializations in Unified Communications, Routing and Switching, Security, Wireless LAN, Data Center Storage Networking, and Data Center Network Infrastructure, Datalink is now an acknowledged expert in Cisco’s data center solutions,” commented CEO and President Paul Lidsky.

“Taking advantage of an architectural shift in the data center, Cisco’s new computing model can help customers transform the data center into a dynamic IT environment with the power to increase productivity, improve efficiency and drive virtualization to an entirely new level,” said John Growdon, director, Worldwide Channels Go-to-Market Group at Cisco. “As a Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Authorized Technology Provider, Datalink is a member of an elite ecosystem of industry leaders working with Cisco to stimulate technology innovation, augment service delivery, and accelerate the market adoption of unified computing.”

To qualify as a Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Authorized Technology Provider, Datalink had to meet a number of requirements. These included achieving the above mentioned Cisco Data Center Networking Infrastructure Specialization and the Cisco Data Center Storage Networking Specialization as well as demonstrating mature competencies in server, storage and virtualization technologies.

The Cisco Advanced DCNI Specialization is designed to help enable partners to address the requirements that enterprise and commercial customers face in deploying a wide range of data center technologies and applications. Cisco Advanced DCNI Specialized Partners are specialists in building end-to-end data center solutions based on the industry-leading Cisco data center networking products, including the Nexus Family of data center switching products, Catalyst 4900 and 6500 Series Switches, Catalyst Blade switches, Firewall Services Module, Network Analysis Module, Application Control Engine module and appliance, Global Site Selector appliance, and Application Networking Manager.

The Cisco Advanced Data Center Storage Networking Specialization is designed to help partners – whether small to medium-sized businesses or enterprise-scale organizations – meet a wide range of customer needs. The Advanced Data Center Storage Networking Specialization curriculum focuses on enabling Cisco partners to build cost-effective storage area networks in support of creating better resource management, improved business continuance and enhanced data security. These resale channel partners are specialists in building storage solutions based on industry-leading Cisco data center storage networking products. These include Cisco MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Directors and Fabric Switches, MDS 9000 IP Storage Services Modules, MDS 9000 Caching Services Modules, MDS 9000 Advanced Services Modules, MDS 9000 Fibre Channel Switching Modules, MDS 9000 Port Analyzer Adapters, MDS 9100 and 9200 Multilayer Fabric Switches, MDS 9500 Series Multilayer Directors and MDS 9500 Series Supervisor Modules.

Cisco’s Authorized Technology Provider Program is part of a comprehensive go-to-market strategy for emerging and advanced technologies. The program helps Cisco to define the knowledge, skills and services that channel partners need to sell, deploy and support these technologies. As the market changes, an ATP status is often the precursor to a Cisco specialization.