Exclusive Networks hives off big data business

Distributor lifts the veil on Big Technology venture

VAD Exclusive Networks UK has spun out its datacentre business into a new unit with its own offices, staff and financial reporting structure.

Focusing on technologies such as big data and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), Big Technology launches this week with seven vendor partners including three new signings in the shape of Extreme Networks, Silver Peak and Tegile Systems.

Exclusive is also transferring existing vendors Avere Systems, Coraid, Nimbus Data and Nutanix to the new venture - which will be headed up by former Exclusive Networks UK sales director Jason Dance - as well as providing it with back office and operational support.

Dance (pictured) stressed that Big Technology will not be too hung up on big data, with virtual desktop infrastructure, optimisation and the orchestration of virtual appliances among its other focus areas.

"With terms like cloud or big data there is always a risk that everyone jumps on the bandwagon and in two years it's called something different," he told CRN. "That's why we are conscious of the issues around aged data. If you are calling that big data, then yes, big data is one of the issues the products in our portfolio will assist you in solving, but it's not our sole business message."

Big Technology will operate out of new offices in Theale, initially employing five staff.

"If we didn't have that physical separation, the message could become diluted," explained Dance.

The pan-European VAD harbours lofty ambitions for the new brand as it attempts to replicate the success it has enjoyed as a market maker for emerging security technologies in the arena of software-defined datacentre technology.

Exclusive Networks group marketing director Barrie Desmond predicted that Big Technology's turnover would reach £10m next year.

"It's been operating in stealth mode for just over a month and we're very surprised by the level of business being done already," he said. "The UK is first but it looks like the model will be embraced in other regions too."

Mike Hemes, vice president of sales EMEA at Silver Peak, said: "We've bought into the skills and relationships within Big Technology and we're expecting this to yield significant market opportunities in the UK as we grow our partner base."