Brocade Signs Computacenter

Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. signed Computacenter as its first European systems integrator, delivering IP and SAN solutions to its network of customers across the UK. Brocade selected Computacenter for its proven ability to efficiently deliver networking solutions to end users, and its extensive knowledge, skills, and expertise in the industry.

"With Computacenters brand and market presence, married to Brocades class-leading networking products, this strategic partnership is a natural fit and provides us with a unique market opportunity," said Colin Williams, Practice Leader for Networking at Computacenter. "As businesses seek to drive cost of out the network, Brocades solutions can help our customers converge network resources thereby reducing physical assets and increasing performance. By partnering with Brocade, we are now able to offer industry-leading networking solutions that deliver true end-to-end business advantage. This, together with the ability to leverage Brocades training, marketing and support models, will provide us with a highly attractive market proposition and deliver competitive advantage to customers."

Under the terms of the agreement, Computacenter will offer Brocades entire portfolio of networking solutions to customers across the UK, supporting Brocades vision for the data center. Brocade datacentres deliver best-in-class, on-demand infrastructures, helping create networks without limits while driving down cost. By supporting multiprotocol flexibility and advanced management capabilities across network layers, Brocade helps datacentre managers deliver true business transformation. Employees get the innovative network services they need to be responsive. Management raises operational efficiency with always-on network availability that drives down costs to deliver measurable ROI.

"Brocade is pleased to be partnering with Computacenter in order to expand our route to market for industry-leading networking products, and take advantage of the huge demand for high performance networking solutions in the market today," said Amanda Giddins, EMEA Channel Sales Director at Brocade. "Brocade will be able to leverage Computacenters extensive enterprise networking product expertise and solution support to help customers build extraordinary networks. On the back of our recent expansion and investment in Brocades channel team, I am excited by this announcement and am looking forward to seeing the partnership flourish."

The selection of Computacenter as its first European systems integrator is one element of Brocades global Alliance Partner Network programme. The channel reseller programme consists of four distinct partnership levels: distributor, elite, premier, and select. All levels have been designed with specific requirements and benefits to help partners leverage and be rewarded for their networking product knowledge and solution support expertise. As part of this partner-enablement strategy, Brocade will provide partners deal registration to help ensure project and investment protection. In addition, Brocade has extensively expanded its dedicated sales, marketing, and technical support model to support these high-quality partnerships.