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BELL MICROPRODUCTS EXPANDS RELATIONSHIP WITH EMC

Bell Microproducts Inc, a leading value-added provider of storage products and solutions, announced recently that it has expanded its relationship with EMC Corporation enabling it to distribute EMC's line of CLARiiON Networked Storage Systems in the Americas. Through this agreement, the company will offer EMC's leading network storage products, services and solutions to its large customer base of VARs and resellers servicing the SME market and through its Rorke Data division, which provides rich content solutions to broadcast and other industries This agreement builds on Bell Microproducts multi-year relationship with EMC in the U.K. through its Ideal Hardware subsidiary.

End user requirements for data management & security continue to create opportunities for solutions in the reseller community. This agreement between Bell Microproducts and EMC will provide a comprehensive family of products, including the new CLARiiON CX200, as well as a full range of services to support the increasing complexities of resellers' data management projects. Through the Bell Micro Solutions Center in Minnesota, reseller partners will be able to leverage world class storage networking configuration and design support. This storage competency, combined with EMC's industry acclaimed products & programs will provide the most comprehensive solutions support services in the industry.

Bell Microproducts will also support the EMC products through its Premier Storage Solution VAR and other programs. Bell Microproducts' Premier Storage Solution VAR Program participants benefit from tangible business-building programs including product supplier authorization training programs, state-of-the-art product strategy summits, on-line customer information sharing technical community, special finance programs, marketing aids and access to the Solution Center and tech support services.

"EMC's CLARiiON CX 200 and 400 series systems and software combine the industry's most comprehensive and cost-effective set of features and functions with unmatched performance and scalability," said Gregg Ambulos, EMC's vice president of Global Channels. "Bell Microproducts, with their focus on storage and on key vertical markets is able to offer a wide range of expertise, services and training to its resellers and integrators. This expanded relationship will allow EMC to further provide end-user customers in a number of key markets with leading networked storage solutions."

"It's a natural partnership, Bell Microproducts and EMC are focused on providing storage solutions," states Nick Ganio, president of Bell Microproducts Enterprise Division. "We are excited to introduce the CLARiiON products to our portfolio of storage-centric resellers. Bell Microproducts will enable EMC to extend their reach into the small-medium enterprise accounts. We are very pleased with the channel commitment we see from EMC and the Americas agreements will augment the success we've already enjoyed with EMC in the U.K.

About Bell Microproducts

Bell Microproducts is an international, value-added provider of a wide range of high-technology products, solutions, and services to the industrial and commercial markets. The company's offering includes semiconductors, computer platforms, peripherals, and storage products of various types including desktop, high-end computer and storage subsystems, fibre channel connectivity products, RAID, NAS and SAN storage systems, back-up products, storage management software, and extensive support, integration and installation services. Bell Microproducts is an industry-recognized specialist in storage products and is one of the world's largest storage-centric value-added distributors.

The company's products are available at any level of integration, from components to subsystem assemblies and fully-integrated, tested and certified system solutions. The company adds value with a broad range of services including testing, software loading, kitting, mass storage system integration, and computer system integration. Trained and certified technical personnel complete each of these processes at Bell Microproducts' ISO 9002 facilities. Bell Microproducts markets and distributes more than 125 brand name product lines, as well as its own BellStor and Rorke Data storage and Trademark computer brands, to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), contract electronic manufacturing services (EMS) customers, value-added resellers (VARs) and system integrators in the Americas and Europe. More information can be found in the company's SEC filings, or by visiting the Bell Microproducts Web site at www.bellmicro.com.

About EMC

EMC Corporation is a world leader in information storage systems, software, networks and services, providing automated networked storage solutions that enable organizations of all sizes to better and more cost-effectively manage, protect and share their information. More information about EMC's products and services can be found at www.EMC.com.

Contact: Nick Ganio, president, Enterprise Division of Bell Microproducts, Inc, 408-451-9400.