MTI issues managed services warcry

Storage integrator opens new SOC

Storage integrator MTI is vying for a bigger slice of the managed service market after opening a new secure operations centre (SOC).

EMC partner MTI only moved into managed services 18 months ago in an attempt to diversify further from its roots as a VAR and integrator, and has since amassed 25 managed services customers.

The new purpose-built SOC, which is based at its Godalming headquarters, is designed to enable it to expand the palette of managed services it offers, working with vendor partners including EMC and CommVault.

Headcount has been expanded to 12 – with room for eight more – and managed services sales director Simon Walters said that MTI has ambitions to make a bigger dent in the market.

"We have seen with the unfortunate demise of 2e2 that it is a very volatile market and we need to ensure we are building real value for the customer," he said. "If we can do that, there is no reason we can't become the leader in the UK.

"But the key is to remain true to our core infrastructure business [storage, back-up, compute, networking and disaster recovery]. You won't necessarily see us moving into the application space or doing anything that waters down our offering."

About three-quarters of MTI's managed services customers are in the UK, with the remainder based in Germany and France, Walters said.

"We are not confined by geographical borders and can deliver services globally should they be required," he said.

Overall, MTI – which recently expanded its Scottish operations – claims to have more than 1,600 customers across EMEA.