Features - Enterprise Data Insights:

HDS SELECTS KeyLabs FOR INTEROPERABILITY TESTING PROGRAM

Hitachi Data Systems (HDS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd and leading provider of storage solutions, and KeyLabs, a premier technology assurance solution provider, have announced the selection of KeyLabs as a strategic provider of interoperability testing for the hundreds of vendors whose storage products operate in conjunction with HDS.

The new Interoperability Demonstration Program (IDP), is a comprehensive testing engagement that gives customers a solid assurance of third-party storage products' ability to interoperate with storage solutions from HDS.

The IDP is the result of a six-month beta test program. During this process, HDS evaluated and interviewed a number of potential testing organizations and conducted preliminary testing with a broad sampling of the vendors who are now the first formal participants in IDP.

The program will ultimately involve many vendors, company representatives said. The ability to provide customers with this level of reassurance that their third party products will be compatible with HDS storage solutions is a critical factor in HDS' continued success.

"Our plan is to provide a vehicle that will allow select vendors to test the interoperability of their product in an HDS-provided lab environment," said Alan Cade, HDS vice president of Technical Operations. "KeyLabs' extensive experience in interoperability testing, coupled with the extent of their equipment resources and the ease of working with them, allows us to launch IDP with KeyLabs as a strategic partner."

"This new program initiated by HDS is very important for MaXXan's customers," said James Yu, vice president of business development for MaXXan Systems. "End-users who purchase MaXXan's intelligent switch are looking for the security and the reassurance that the products they buy from two different companies have been thoroughly tested together. The IDP program allows us to give that reinforcement to our customers and proves our commitment to providing high quality, interoperable solutions for their heterogeneous environments. We appreciate the professionalism and responsiveness of the experienced KeyLabs team, which made it easy for us to move forward with our involvement in IDP."

"Sandial is excited to participate in the IDP program as it represents a commitment to support our customers' heterogeneous SAN environments," said Gerry Boucher, vice president of Customer Operations for Sandial Systems Inc. "As new entrants to the high-end switch market, we are pleased that our storage backbone switches successfully completed the HDS IDP program, reassuring our customers that interoperability with Hitachi storage has been clearly demonstrated. KeyLabs has served as a tremendous environment and resource for proving our technology value propositions."

"The IDP program is an ideal partnership for KeyLabs," said Mike Fahnert, KeyLabs president and COO. "We are pleased and honored to have been selected by HDS as a strategic testing provider for this comprehensive new program."

"As a company, we have perhaps the most experience in the industry in managing interoperability programs," Fahnert added. "We currently manage more than 20 programs for companies including Cisco, Novell, RealNetworks and Sun Microsystems. And we are extremely happy for the opportunity to put our experience to work in this new partnership with HDS."

For more information about IDP, product vendors can refer to www.hds.com/products/idp, or email questions to idpinfo@hds.com.

About Hitachi Data Systems

Hitachi Data Systems, headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., is committed to enabling organizations worldwide to exploit the full potential of information. By following and deploying our TrueNorth strategy, we provide customers with a broad range of storage solutions to simplify, protect and optimize their information infrastructures. Our offerings include centralized and distributed storage systems and software, professional services, complemented by best-of-breed products through channel partners and industry alliances.

With 2,700 employees, Hitachi Data Systems conducts business through direct and indirect channels in the public, government and private sectors in over 170 countries. Its customers include more than 50 percent of Fortune 100 companies. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.hds.com.