Cloud Distribution jumps into OEM world with hyperserV

VAD launches its own hyperconverged product targeted at the SME space

VAD Cloud Distribution has taken a leap into the OEM world by producing its own hyperconverged offering it is targeting at the SME space.

The hyperserV is powered by storage vendor DataCore Software's virtual SAN solution, and uses components from Microsoft and VMware. But the hardware, software and services were all put together by Cloud Distribution, the firm's director of storage solutions Bruce Hockin told CRN.

Hockin said Cloud Distribution decided to make the hyperserV - which combines storage, compute, networking and virtualisation - because there was a gap in the market around the SME space for affordable hyperconverged solutions.

"What we found when speaking to partners is they wanted a complete solution; they didn't just want the software. We felt we had to bring the whole solution, including the hardware and the software and put the service around it, because that's what partners were demanding. They [partners] said they didn't want to have the responsibility of building it themselves," he said.

"But also from a market perspective, it is very underserved for hyperconverged tech in the SME space. There is hardly anyone here that does what we do and no-one has the performance and the branded software."

When asked if there had been any concerns about vendors feeling the distributor is stepping on their toes with this, Hockin said there hadn't, and DataCore had actively supported the move.

He also said that depending on the success of the hyperserV, there could be more products created by Cloud Distribution.

"We want to create value for the channel with something that's sticky to us; we don't want to be the same as everyone else," he said. "So where it makes sense to build these solutions for partners and help market them and provide support for them, then we'll do that. It wouldn't surprise me if we did more of this in the future."

Cloud Distribution is targeting new and existing partners with a focus on the SME space, particularly those who focus on education, local government and legal verticals, with its hyperserV line.

"It demonstrates we can take a product to market like a manufacturer and that we are capable of doing much more than a traditional distributor," Hockin said.