LeftHand lands right hook on DataCore

Storage vendor claims it is holding its own since HP acquisition - despite attempts by rivals to poach its partners

LeftHand Networks claims storage vendor DataCore Software’s attempt to poach its partners has backfired after signing one of its rival’s partners – HP reseller Commercial.

After HP recently announced its intended purchase of LeftHand for $360m (£203m), DataCore was quick to tap up LeftHand partners by reassuring them there was an alternative in the market.

But Peter Godden, regional sales director at LeftHand Networks, said: “DataCore announcing that it was going to poach our partners has backfired, as we have signed one of their partners.

“In total we have signed three new partners since DataCore made the announcement. Commercial has already registered five opportunities with LeftHand.”
Keith Joseph, channel manager at DataCore, said: “It is not surprising, nor much of a coup, as LeftHand operates in the same space as DataCore. Indeed we have several trusted partners that sell both vendors' solutions. We are not in the business of dictating to our partners who can sell what.

“What we are simply doing is offering the option of much needed additional margin to LeftHand partners. It seems that the market has been receptive to this - for instance we have a Meet the chief executive reseller briefing day on Tuesday that has resellers who sell both LeftHand and DataCore in attendance.”