Virtualization

VirtualNet IronApp expand partnership

Virtual Iron and NetApp Storevault storage are expanding their partnership. In this latest development, StoreVault has been certified for Virtual Iron’s server virtualization software.

This is actually mildly exciting news for CIOs. The partnership should free up storage space, help implement storage virtualization and improve data protection. The consolidation and virtualization will cut down on power and cooling costs, while beefed-up data protection is never anything to sneeze at. If IT flexibility is your thing, StoreVault says this partnership has it in spades.

In your mandatory take-it-for-what-it’s-worth PR quote, Sajai Krishnan, general manager of the StoreVault division, says: “Midmarket customers are looking to server and storage virtualization for the same reason as large enterprises - to reduce data center complexity and increase IT flexibility.”

And David Roden, director of technology for the law firm Goodell DeVries Leech and Dann LPP – and pleased NetApp and Virtual Iron customer – says, “The fit between Virtual Iron and StoreVault is about as close to pure plug and play as it gets.”

A quick call to Tim Walsh, director of corporate marketing with Virtual Iron, revealed that plug and play doesn’t mean channel-less. ”Both products are sold through our channel partners, and we feel there is a lot of value in buying both products together,” Walsh said. ”The packaged solution reduces complexity for midmarket businesses.”

But if the products’ plug and play-i-ness is being stressed to CIOs, will there be a lot of return business to the channel pro who sold them the solution? Or will the purchase – and possibly installation services – be the last time those chicanerous salesmen are called to the site?

-Brian