Hitachi Data System's prioritizes Microsoft as a key alliance partner and provides mutual customers the optimal storage environment for their Windows based solutions. Hitachi Data Systems is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and offers a complete array of engineered and integrated solutions optimized for the Microsoft application environments. The Hitachi Data Systems objective for the alliance with Microsoft is to build tightly integrated storage solutions complementing the Windows environment, and enable customers of all sizes to implement scalable, available and reliable architectures in a cost effective way.

Hitachi Data Systems, in collaboration with Microsoft and other partners develop solutions for the Hitachi lines of storage and management software to help customers take full advantage of their Microsoft Windows environments. These solutions ensure seamless support of Windows, helping any organization—from the smallest to the largest enterprise—reduce the cost and complexity of running their business.

We combine our strengths as industry leader to understand the evolving needs of our customers and provide enterprise-quality, cost-effective storage solutions for Microsoft Windows environments.

As a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, Hitachi partners with Microsoft in the following ways:

• Hitachi participates in the Microsoft Early Adopter programs to engage in early adoption of Microsoft technologies
• Hitachi Data Systems has a sizeable presence at the Microsoft Partner Solutions Showcase (MPSC) on the Microsoft campus, working hand in hand with the Microsoft product development as well as the field teams for joint development and proof of concept engagements.
• Hitachi Data Systems actively participates in the Microsoft Exchange Solution Reviewed Program (ESRP) a program established by Microsoft to help customers evaluate the effectiveness of storage solutions in supporting highly available messaging infrastructures. Learn more
• Hitachi is also an Exchange Server Partner in multiple disciplines.
• HDS is a SQL partner in the SQL Server 2005 Always On initiative—a program designed to provide information on solutions available for high application availability with Microsoft SQL Server 2005. Learn more
• HDS is a SQL Server Partner in multiple disciplines, including upgrade/migration, backup/recovery and disaster recovery.
• HDS is a Microsoft Storage Partner in multiple disciplines, including support for Microsoft's iSCSI and Volume Shadow copy Service (VSS) technologies” to be consistent with the Microsoft terminologies.
• As a member of the EQP- Enterprise Qualification Program offered by Microsoft for cluster certification, Hitachi Data Systems has a number of products with this valued certification. Learn more

HDS offers multiple solutions to build a resilient Exchange Environment

• Hitachi Protection Manager. Protection Manager software automates nondisruptive backups while providing rapid recovery from database corruption or other outages. Microsoft has worked with both Hitachi Ltd. And Hitachi Data Systems to ensure the compatibility of this solution for Exchange with Microsoft environments and joins Hitachi and Hibachi Data Systems in fully supporting it. Learn more
• Hitachi Cluster Server. Microsoft has also introduced highly resilient technology into Microsoft Cluster Server (MSCS) which exploits the inherent capabilities of Hitachi storage systems. Geographically dispersed clusters enable businesses to replicate their data to remote sites, delivering superior business continuity. Delivered by Hitachi Data Systems as a turnkey solution incorporating hardware, software and professional services, the Hitachi Storage Cluster for Microsoft Environments help deliver unprecedented levels of reliability and availability from Exchange. Learn more
• Hitachi Data Protection Suite Software. This software provides quick, reliable server-based backup and recovery, archiving, and hierarchical storage management solutions for heterogeneous storage environments and protects data against outages with a high-performance integrated solution. Learn more
• Hitachi Dynamic Link Manager. Hitachi Dynamic Link Manager Software (HDLM) provides Hitachi storage customers with a robust path failover and load balancing solution for their open systems storage network environments. Learn more

Windows Certifications for HDS storage

To ensure that Hitachi Data Systems products' perform at the highest levels in customers' information infrastructures, the company conducts the industry's most comprehensive interoperability testing. This commitment to developing and testing hardware and software products that are fully qualified with Microsoft technologies translates into fully compatible, integrated solutions for mutual customers. The listing of certified and approved storage systems and components is located at:
http://www.windowsservercatalog.com/results.aspx?
cstext=&chbtext=&csttext=Hitachi&bCatId=1291&text=&OR=5

To learn more about Hitachi Data Systems and Microsoft Solutions, please email/contact: msglobalalliance@hds.com