EMC-Dell relations cool over 3Par

Storage behemoth admits Dell's 3Par bids hampered partnership

Joe Tucci: EMC-Dell relationship cooled by 3Par interest

Storage giant EMC has confirmed that its reseller partnership with Dell has been hampered by Dell’s attempt to acquire rival firm 3Par.

Hardware vendor Dell became embroiled in a bidding war with HP for storage specialist 3Par back in August.

Despite the fact Dell eventually lost out to HP, EMC has admitted its relationship with the firm has “cooled off” because of its partner’s interest in 3Par.

Speaking during EMC's earnings conference call yesterday, the vendor’s chief executive Joe Tucci said: “As far as the Dell relationship [goes], we took a setback as Dell went after 3Par and obviously things cooled off.”

The two firms are currently trying to repair relations and are in discussions on how to move their partnership forward, explained Tucci.

“We are in discussions to see if we could do something more meaningful and lasting,” he said. “Both companies would like to do that, but it has got to be meaningful and it has got to be lasting for me to tell you that it is back on track.”

Tucci added that he doubts HP’s decision to fork out $2.4bn for 3Par will have much impact on the industry. “I do not think the 3Par deal changes the landscape at all. Will it [HP] make 3Par more successful? I am sure it will.

"But I think what you are going to see is a large substitution for its high-end [products] and for business it previously funnelled through Hitachi," he concluded.