Softek links with Sun for StorageTek boost
Vendors join forces in migration strategy
Data migration vendor Softek has forged a partnership with Sun, to help VARs migrate users over to Sun StorageTek systems.
Under the terms of the deal, Sun and its channel will use Softek’s data migration software to install and activate Sun StorageTek mainframe and open systems-attached storage arrays. Softek claimed this could be done with-out disrupting end-users’ applications.
Steve Murphy, chief executive of Softek, told CRN that to begin with partner sales opportunities would occur mainly in the enterprise space.
“Partners can become a trusted adviser to the enterprise market and will have a new capability to talk to customers about data migration.
“Demand at the SME level will not initially be as great as in the high-end. But it will become desired and required over the next five years as SMEs’ data requirements grow,” he claimed.
Mike Baker, vice-president of European operations at Softek, said that partners will be offered addit-ional opportunities through sales of its software.
“This partnership also gets partners into cross- and up-sell opportunities. For example, on sales of new disk arrays resellers can look to offer this to end-users as a service,” he said.
Nancy Hurley, senior director of storage software marketing at Sun, said in a statement: “By expanding our relationship [with Softek] we can
now make it much easier for customers to upgrade and migrate their data to a more competitive family of Sun StorageTek enterprise disk systems.”
Clive Longbottom, service director at Quocirca, said: “Most partners have data migration skills anyway. Channel partners shouldn’t be massively excited about this, but its another tick in the box.”
Separately, Softek has also joined Sun’s Partner Advantage Programme for ISVs. This will include participation in product certification, training, marketing and sales activities.