EMC Control Center opens channel door
Vendor makes new version of storage software more accessible
Storage giant EMC has released a more accessible version of its Control Center storage management product.
Control Center 5.2 is more automated and has been made more open, as part of the firm's strategy to gain market share through information lifecycle management. It supports Linux hosts and offers extended support for EMC Celera and Clariion devices, and Hitachi systems.
"We will change the game on connectivity and openness," said Mark Lewis, executive vice-president of software at EMC.
The move follows EMC's launch of tape devices, and is part of its strategy to integrate new software acquisitions VMware, Documentum and Legato into the EMC family. EMC also launched its lowest price storage device with a Celera ATA drive, and said it plans to move into the SME space.
Roger Smith, managing director of storage VAR Solid State, said his firm does not sell EMC, but its channel-friendly approach has made it more attractive. "EMC used to have a bad reputation for taking deals direct, but it seems to have cleaned up its act and is worth considering for us.
It is even giving its salespeople incentives to push sales through the channel," Smith said.
Separately, Joe Tucci, EMC's chief executive, admitted there have been problems surrounding the acquisition of virtualisation company VMware.
Many of VMware's rivals are EMC customers, such as IBM and Hewlett-Packard, and the main competition for VMware comes from EMC partner Microsoft.
Tucci said: "The one point of contention is VMware, because Microsoft would like to do some of that virtualisation itself."