New Services Capability for EMC Velocity Partners

EMC Corporation is enabling its Velocity distributors worldwide with the skills and resources required to assemble multi-vendor solutions that feature EMC’s unified storage systems and next-generation backup solutions.

Distributors worldwide will be provided with the technical training, methodologies and the backing of EMC’s Global Services organization so they may assemble EMC VSPEX Proven Infrastructure and other solutions for their reseller partners.

By receiving a pre-assembled solution on-site that has been customized to meet the customer’s specific business needs, reseller partners can focus on accelerating the installation and implementation so that its customers can realize the benefits of the solution faster.

The new assembly capability for distributors builds on EMC’s commitment to provide choice for how partners assemble multi-vendor solutions. It also enables them to accelerate their profitability by focusing on value-added services to quickly deploy the solution to meet specific customer needs.

This announcement follows a string of other new EMC initiatives developed to help channel partners worldwide accelerate their customers’ journey to the cloud. These include VSPEX Proven Infrastructure, as well as Velocity Cloud Practices – Cloud Builder and Cloud Provider – and EMC Cooperative Services, which were announced at the first annual Global Partner Summit held at EMC World in May.

The assembly services capability
provides resellers and their customers:

• Faster, easier, and efficient implementations of multi-vendor solutions like VSPEX that are built on EMC VNX and VNXe unified storage systems, EMC Data Domain deduplication storage systems and Avamar  deduplication backup software and systems;
• More efficient use of resources that focus on high-value configuration, reduced implementation time, and integration services specific to customer needs;
• Confidence of a validated solution assembled to their specific requirements by EMC-trained professionals; and
• Simplified logistics by reducing the need to receive and track numerous components for multi-vendor solutions.

Distribution Partner Benefits:

• Velocity distributors that offer assembly services can better support many of their reseller partners by delivering pre-built, multi-vendor solutions such as VSPEX that include EMC technology;
• EMC is providing distributors with free training and tools that support assembly of solutions built on the VNX family of unified storage solutions, and Data Domain and Avamar backup and recovery solutions; and
• EMC is also providing distributors with online access to installation guides and tools, the backing of EMC Customer Support Services, and EMC’s validation of their qualified status.

Peter Castaldi, principal and co-founder, Kovarus, Inc., said: "Arrow’s new assembly services capabilities will dramatically increase time to market for our customers and accelerate their journey to the cloud. The sooner our customers receive VSPEX, the sooner they can begin to realize the benefits of the VSPEX solutions. With simplified logistics and more efficient multi-vendor solutions based on EMC technology, we can rapidly configure the technology to deliver true business value to our customers. "

Colin Sheard, commercial director, Synapse Product Development, said: "As a reseller, it’s important that we have options to scale our business to meet our unique customer needs. Today’s announcement is another example of EMC’s commitment to provide its partners with the resources to meet our customers need for faster deployments, while growing our business."

Joe Burke, VP of the North American Security, Virtualization and Networking group, Enterprise Computing Solutions, Arrow Electronics, Inc., said: "This additional services capability for Arrow brings Arrow’s channel-enablement model full circle. Arrow’s VSPEX enablement tools, coupled with the ability to assemble, will enable our solution providers to quickly and easily deliver VSPEX solutions to their customers."

Scott Zahl, VP and GM, Advanced Computing Division, Ingram Micro, Inc., said: "Having the ability to offer custom configuration, expert integration and other assembly services are critical for channel partners selling advanced technology solutions such as VSPEX. These new assembly services from EMC combined with Ingram Micro’s proven partner enablement services and advanced solutions expertise will further enhance the value proposition we offer EMC partners and certainly help speed the sale and deployment cycle."

Christian Magirus, Executive VP & COO, Magirus AG, said: "In today’s market, reseller Partners are demanding proven multi-vendor infrastructure solutions in one easy and fast shipment that is simple and efficient. EMC’s new assembly services are a critical component for Magirus to deliver VSPEX and EMC’s unified storage and backup solutions pre-tested, configured and tailored to meet our resellers’ customer needs faster and easier. Wrapped with Magirus’ additional support and implementation services, we are able to offer choice to suit our partners’ businesses."

Chuck Bartlett, VP and GM, Advanced Infrastructure Solutions (AIS), Tech Data Corp., said: "When EMC launched VSPEX earlier this year, it brought more choice, flexibility, and new selling opportunities for Tech Data’s resellers. EMC’s new assembly services capability is straightforward to adopt and gives us greater flexibility to meet our partners’ needs, making it even easier to bring VSPEX solutions to our partners through our two ISO 9001 integration centers. As more companies move to cloud computing, we expect to see increasing demand for pre-tested, integrated solutions like VSPEX that leverage the full strength of our AIS group."

Daniel Coetsier, VP, Global Services, Channel and Partners, EMC, said: "EMC’s new assembly services capability gives our Velocity distribution Partners a new opportunity to support their resellers by delivering solutions that are tailored to specific customer requirements. Today’s announcement reinforces EMC’s commitment to our valued channel Partners worldwide. We will continue to add more programs and capabilities that provide our distributors and resellers with predictable and profitable ways to add value to their customers and help accelerate their IT and business transformations."