Datalink Achieves Data CenterFlexPod Specialization

Datalink Corporation announced that it is the
first partner to achieve the Data Center FlexPod – Specialization from NetApp, Inc.

The new specialization recognizes Datalink as having fulfilled one of the most
rigorous levels of company competency recognized by NetApp for its partners.

In achieving the Data Center – FlexPod Specialization, Datalink is
acknowledged as having fulfilled NetApp and Cisco competency requirements that include key prerequisites and specializations in
areas such as Cisco Unified Computing Technology, Cisco Data Center
Architecture and NetApp Professional Services Certifications in storage infrastructure, server virtualization (VMware) and backup and recovery.

Datalink is also
recognized for having developed demo facilities, completing hands-on demos, and
passing best practices training associated with the architecture, design
and implementation of FlexPod environments.

The Data Center – FlexPod Specialization qualifies Datalink as an
expert resource to assist customers in the analysis, design, implementation and
support of next-generation data centers and virtual hosted desktops built on the
Cisco and NetApp FlexPod design architecture.

"Unified architectures like FlexPod are playing a key role in
delivering next-generation data centers and private cloud environments.
Datalink has committed significant resources to developing expertise in these
areas in order to help large and mid-size organizations modernize their IT
infrastructure for peak efficiency and cost benefits," said Datalink
President and CEO Paul Lidsky. "The fact that we are the first NetApp
channel partner to achieve the Data Center – FlexPod Specialization
demonstrates the depth of that commitment and our dedication to assisting our
customers in deploying new data center technologies that will help optimize
their operations."

"We are pleased to recognize Datalink as the first NetApp
channel partner to complete our specialization in Data Center – FlexPod
environments," commented Todd Palmer, vice president, Americas Channel
Sales, NetApp. "Designed for our top partners, this designation will
continue to reinforce Datalink’s track record as a holistic advisor to
organizations wanting to obtain fast ROI and success when deploying unified
server, storage, and networking architectures."

FlexPod is a pre-tested, optimized and pre-validated data center
solution that combines networking, compute and storage resources in a shared or unified infrastructure in order to support multiple application
workloads. The FlexPod infrastructure represents one of the unified
architecture platforms supported by Datalink as part of the company’s
multi-phase migration strategy for large and mid-size enterprise customers
involved with Datalink’s virtual data center practice. The slate of
Datalink virtual data center practice services available includes analysis,
design, implementation and OneCallSM Unified Support for virtual data center
environments.

In 2011, Datalink’s virtual data center practice was responsible for
designing, deploying, and supporting 14 complete FlexPod solutions and for
guiding 89 companies through initial-phase migrations to virtual data center
architectures. Many of this latter group are now also on their own migration
path to a FlexPod architecture and a private cloud environment.

Rich Pacella, president, Velocitor Solutions LLC, chose Datalink to help
him design and deploy FlexPod in his virtual data center environment. Pacella
noted: "Having a state-of-the-art data center that’s up 24×7 is central to
my business. Our FlexPod deployment was an essential part to getting us there.
We were happy to partner with Datalink in this migration effort and appreciated
Datalink’s expertise and holistic data center focus and full lifecycle of
services available, including its OneCall Unified Support Services. By going
with Datalink and a FlexPod architecture, we knew we were using two proven
entities. That gave us the confidence to move forward."