Leading systems integrators recognize Hitachi's solutions-focused Global Indirect Channel strategy
22nd February 2000 — Illustrating its leadership and commitment to channel programs, Hitachi Data Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT), today announced it has received an award for "Best Channel Strategy" during a recent EnterpriseVision Awards ceremony, in Phoenix, Arizona.
The awards, produced by Vision Events, a GartnerGroup, Inc. company, are a coveted honor, as well as the only industry awards to be selected solely by a community of systems integrators. The integrator representatives included PricewaterhouseCoopers, MicroAge, EDS, Avnet, and Lockheed Martin IBS.
"Recognition from our partners is something the Global Indirect Channels team is extremely proud of, and it's a credit to their dedication in launching Hitachi's first such program," said Ron Gervenack, Vice President and General Manager of Global Indirect Channels, Hitachi Data Systems. "This is an energy boost to take Hitachi to the next level within the channel. We won this award based on our vision. Now the focus is on executing our strategic business plan and gaining market share — and we will."
Established in July 1999, Hitachi Data Systems' first ever global, two-tiered distribution channel is supported by strong channel agreements with Gates/Arrow Distributing, Tech Data Corporation, and Wyle Systems. The creation of the company's channel organization was one of the key steps Hitachi Data Systems has taken to grow its markets. The program includes a focus on the rapidly growing Microsoft Windows NT/2000 space and Fortune 2500 companies. Hitachi Freedom Storage™ 5800 and 7700E disk arrays were the first products to be offered through the channel, along with recently added storage area network (SAN) solutions. Since the inception of its channel program, channel-based revenue has accounted for 15 percent of Hitachi Data Systems' total revenue.
The company is planning to rapidly grow its channel business in Europe, Australia-New Zealand, and Asia, with plans to implement a channel business model in Latin America as well.
"Securing this type of endorsement from the VAR community so early in Hitachi's indirect sales history validates our original mission of maintaining the value of Hitachi Data Systems' authorization through limited membership," said Steven Cisowski, Vice President of Distribution Sales and Channel Marketing, Hitachi Data Systems. "This award is a tribute to our vision of providing customers with world-class business solutions and universal support for heterogeneous computing environments."
Hitachi Data Systems' strong channel relationships have allowed the company to offer channel-ready, interoperable, heterogeneous computing solutions, as well as effectively deliver solutions from key alliance partners, including Ancor, McData, Computer Associates, Cisco, Oracle, SAP, and VERITAS.
With its comprehensive marketing program known as ChannelOne, Hitachi Data Systems provides the resources that value-added resellers (VARs) need to increase sales and customer satisfaction. ChannelOne is composed of vital marketing tools such as demo programs, marketing materials, evaluation units, sales and system engineering training, lead referral, a partner extranet, and a dedicated account team.
Partners benefit from Hitachi Data Systems' channel program in several ways. First, they gain a new enterprise solutions vendor that offers data-center capabilities and long-standing relationships. Second, they gain access to world-class, established products and business solutions, backed by the Hitachi brand name. The result is that they're better able to provide enterprise-class, end-to-end, integrated business solutions — from the data center to the desktop.
Vision Events, a GartnerGroup company, is a producer of business events that bring together the leading computer channel vendors and resellers in private boardroom meetings to focus on increasing sales and building relationships. Additional information about Vision Events can be found on the Internet at http://www.visionevents.com/.
GartnerGroup, the world's premier business technology advisor, was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. GartnerGroup provides unrivaled thought leadership for more than 9,600 client organizations worldwide. It achieved 1999 revenue of $734 million and has 80 locations worldwide. GartnerGroup's 3,400 associates, including 1,200 research analysts and consultants, help clients achieve their business objectives through the intelligent and efficient use of technology. For more information about GartnerGroup's industry-leading research capabilities, services and events, visit us on the Web at .
Recognized as a leading provider of business solutions for the world's most IT-intensive corporations, Hitachi Data Systems offers technical services, multi-platform storage subsystems, and the industry's broadest line of high-performance servers. The company's solutions are "Built for Fast Times™," enabling customers to exploit the value of information technology for success in the Internet economy. These solutions reflect Hitachi's vision of allowing clients to focus on their business, and not their technology. Hitachi Data Systems is owned by Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT) and has its headquarters in Santa Clara, California.
Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, is one of the world's leading global electronics companies, with fiscal 1998 (ended March 31, 1999) consolidated sales of 7,977 billion yen ($65.9 billion). The company manufactures and markets a wide range of products, including computers, semiconductors, consumer products and power and industrial equipment.
¹ At an exchange rate of 124 yen to the dollar. Contacts: PR
Hitachi Data Systems is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a trademark and service mark of Hitachi, Ltd. Built for Fast Times is a trademark of Hitachi America, Ltd. VisionDesk and VisionBase are trademarks of Hitachi Data Systems. Pentium is a trademark of Intel Corporation.
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