-- EMEA Partners Generate Additional Revenue Leveraging ExpressPod Architecture

TARRYTOWN, New York, and CIRENCESTER, England, Nov. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Westcon Group, a value-added distributor of category-leading unified communications, network infrastructure, data center, and security solutions with a global network of specialty resellers, today announced its Comstor business unit is teaming with Cisco and NetApp to open markets for their newest cloud platform -- ExpressPod.  By selling the architecture to partners and through NetApp and Cisco distributors across EMEA, the companies are helping small- and medium-sized businesses simplify deployment of cloud infrastructures. 

ExpressPod is a customer-tested solution developed by Cisco and NetApp to facilitate implementation of next-generation server, storage and network resources. Consolidating an IT infrastructure and application portfolio leveraging virtualization, the affordable platform lowers risks associated with installing new resources, while offering greater efficiencies and reduced complexity.

"FlexPod was a game-changer in data center technology," said Ed Baker, Director of Data Center and Virtualization Channel, Cisco EMEAR.  "ExpressPod now takes this vision one step further – offering an easy-to-deploy data center platform for customers with little or no IT experience.  Backed by a successful partnership with Comstor, today's announcement is a tremendous boost for small- and medium-sized businesses."

The package lowers risks of installing new IT resources, but brings greater efficiencies and reduced complexity.  ExpressPod is available in a pre-packaged and tested solution bundle integrated and delivered by Comstor.  It integrates Cisco UCS® C-Series servers, NetApp® FAS2220 or FAS2240 storage, Cisco Nexus® 3048 switches, and infrastructure management with cooperative support.

"ExpressPod opens doors for small- and medium-sized businesses looking to gain new efficiencies through next-generation data center technology," said Andreas Dohmen, Executive Vice President EMEA, Comstor.  "When we began with FlexPod less than six months ago, partners responded with a significant pipeline of activity.  We're pleased to be working with Cisco and NetApp yet again to further embrace the promise of virtualization."

Mid-sized customers can reduce the number of servers in their environment through virtualization.  ExpressPod consolidates common applications - such as e-mail, collaboration, or content management into single servers – ensuring businesses can more easily manage complex virtualization resources.

ExpressPod components support open APIs -- driven by a wide range of management, automation, and orchestration platforms.  The architecture runs via a Cooperative Support Model, helping collocated experts mix-and-match available product components, reproduce complex customer environments, and expedite issues. 

"Virtual infrastructure deployment is generally too complex and cost-prohibitive for many companies," said Thomas Ehrlich, Vice President Partners and Pathways EMEA, NetApp.  "But ExpressPod changes the rules of the game – permitting more businesses to exploit all virtualization has to offer.  With broad-based data center experience, Comstor is a perfect partner to bring this platform to a broader global audience."

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About Westcon Group
Westcon Group, Inc. is a value added distributor of category-leading unified communications, network infrastructure, data center, and security solutions with a global network of specialty resellers. The company's Comstor business unit is dedicated solely to global distribution of Cisco offerings. Westcon's teams create unique programs and provide exceptional support to accelerate the business of its global partners. Strong relationships at every level of the Westcon Group organization enable partners to receive support tailored to their needs. From global logistics and flexible customized financing solutions to pre-sales, technical and engineering assistance, the company works with partners to respond with agility and speed to changing market conditions so they can achieve the fastest time to revenue. Westcon Group's portfolio of market-leading vendors includes: Cisco, Avaya, Brocade, Polycom, Check Point, and Blue Coat. For more information, please visit www.comstor.com or www.westcongroup.com.

Media Contact: 
Craig Librett
Westcon Group
+1-914-357-1747
craig.librett@westcon.com