AXstor signs iStor distribution deal
Storage distributor on the hunt for VARs
Fledgling specialist storage distributor aXstor is actively recruiting resellers and has just signed a distribution agreement with iStor Networks for its complete range of iSCSI networked storage products.
Alan Shepherd, managing director of aXstor, told CRN: “We’ve been in stealth mode since January, but officially launched on 1 August 2006. We are a specialist distributor and focus on iSCSI. We have three principal vendors signed up and hope to get more on board during 2007. We’re looking at some storage virtualisation solutions.”
The agreement with iStor includes the GigaStorATX iSCSI Controller that eliminates the need for server or motherboard technology and provides a full storage-virtualisation firmware stack and SMI-S compliant management suite. The agreement will also see aXstor offer integrated iSCSI products based on iStor technology.
“Our main plan is to grow our presence in the market place next year,” Shepherd said. “We currently deal with about 20 resellers but are actively recruiting more VARs. We have the Astor Certified Engineers accreditation programme for resellers, which typically involves two days of training. As iSCSI is still a new area, we feel it is important to provide training and support for resellers.”
James Ward, managing director of storage distributor Hammer, said: “It is a niche area that this distributor is specialising in. It could be good if iSCSI takes off as many are predicting it will. We do a bit of iSCSI, but don’t specialise in any one area.”