Comstor joins Cisco and NetApp to Deliver Single Order Capability to FlexPod Partners

- Channel Partners across Europe, the Middle East and Africa Powered with Unique Data Center Offerings Based on Next-Generation Architecture

TARRYTOWN, New York and CIRENCESTER, England, June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Westcon Group, a value-added distributor of category-leading unified communications, network infrastructure, data center, and security solutions with a global network of specialty channel partners, today announced its Comstor business unit has joined forces with Cisco and NetApp as their newest FlexPod™  distribution partner in EMEA. This new agreement enables channel partners to more efficiently deliver robust, customized data center offerings based on the Cisco and NetApp solution.

Built on industry-leading computing, networking, storage and infrastructure software components, FlexPod is specifically designed to help companies transform their data centers. Now offered by Comstor in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the pre-validated solution is based on a scalable, flexible, shared infrastructure -- powering optimization for a variety of mixed application workloads and hypervisor environments.

"Virtualization and cloud computing represent significant business drivers for our partners worldwide," said Russell Blackburn, European Data Center Director, Comstor. "As we build our data center practice, we will continue to align with leaders like Cisco and NetApp to help companies grow their businesses faster by harnessing these next-generation technologies."

Integrating the Cisco Unified Computing System™ (Cisco UCS®) server platform, Cisco Nexus® switches, and NetApp unified storage running Data ONTAP®, FlexPod is configured for virtual desktop or server infrastructures, secure multi-tenancy, and cloud environments. Bringing these elements together, Comstor enables channel partners to deliver solutions helping customers move products to market smarter and faster - leading to quicker time-to-revenue.

"FlexPod is a pre-tested solution built to help channel partners and their customers lower their deployment risks, increase data center efficiencies and create a highly flexible environment to build private or public clouds," said Thomas Ehrlich, Vice President, Channels, System Integrators and Alliances EMEA, NetApp. "Working with Comstor, we can benefit from their market-leading expertise in next-generation data center technologies, giving channel partners all the tools necessary to help customers fully leverage the power of the cloud."

"Cisco and NetApp have introduced a game-changer in next-generation data center technology," said Jon Pritchard, President, Comstor. "FlexPod helps customers lay the foundation on which new, dynamic cloud computing infrastructures can be built. For more than two decades, Comstor has worked with Cisco – and is now delighted to be working with NetApp – helping customers uncover new revenue opportunities associated with emerging data centers. Today, we're offering an additional means for new and existing partners to dramatically grow their business."

Comstor brings to channel partners an unmatched level of expertise with Cisco products to deliver custom FlexPod-powered solutions to market. Comstor's complete range of offerings designed to help resellers more effectively drive their data center business, include: pre-sales support, consolidated quoting, single-order capability, assembly and testing, shipping and tracking.

"The data center is undergoing a major shift. Customers want to take advantage of the cost savings and efficiencies of virtualization, but they're searching for the right tools to ease this transition," said Andy Litherland, Head of Strategic Technology Partnerships, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Russia, Cisco. "FlexPod provides a proven, highly scalable and flexible solution on which customers can build out their virtual infrastructures. Working together with NetApp and Comstor, we're helping our channel partners to be more efficient and successful deploying FlexPod solutions for their customers."

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About Westcon Group
Westcon Group, Inc. is a value added distributor of category-leading unified communications, network infrastructure, data center, and security solutions with a global network of specialty resellers. The company's Comstor business unit is dedicated solely to global distribution of Cisco offerings. Westcon's teams create unique programs and provide exceptional support to accelerate the business of its global partners. Strong relationships at every level of the Westcon Group organization enable partners to receive support tailored to their needs. From global logistics and flexible customized financing solutions to pre-sales, technical and engineering assistance, the company works with partners to respond with agility and speed to changing market conditions so they can achieve the fastest time to revenue. Westcon Group's portfolio of market-leading vendors includes: Cisco, Avaya, Brocade, Polycom, Check Point, and Blue Coat. For more information, please visit www.comstor.com or www.westcongroup.com.

Media Contact:
Craig Librett
Westcon Group
+1-914-357-1747
craig.librett@westcon.com