Cisco opens up unified computing to distribution |
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By Barbara Darrow, Senior News Director
02 Nov 2009 | SearchITChannel.com |
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If distribution coverage is any indication, demand for unified computing is ramping up.
This week, Westcon Group Inc. said that its Cisco-focused Comstor Worldwide unit will offer Cisco Systems' Unified Computing System (UCS) server to its affiliated VARs. Tech Data, which had till now distributed component pieces that make up Cisco's UCS, can now also offer the consolidated server.
That initial Cisco B series enterprise-class UCS had been limited to select, "identified" Cisco resellers. Now, Cisco is following up on promises to cut its partners in on the action.
"We've been working with Cisco partners and processed our first B series orders [on an exception basis] for awhile and we're working with partners on many opportunities on the C series UCS which is not even orderable for two weeks …so when it does go live and we can order inventory," said Chuck Bartlett, vice president of Tech Data's Cisco Solutions Group.
Unified computing technology, which combines computing servers, networking switches and storage in the same box, is rapidly becoming a heated battle ground between industry giants Hewlett Packard and Cisco. Juniper Networks is teaming up with Dell and IBM on a similar push.
Actual demand for these "unified" systems remained a question mark. But distributors say some customers are going beyond the tire-kicking stage and starting to actually buy .
"When you look at enterprise class systems, Cisco is seeing orders and the problem there is supply and demand. There are more orders than product," said Bill Corbin, executive vice president of Comstor Worldwide. When it comes to Cisco UCS for smaller customers, the products have barely hit the price list so it may be too soon to tell.
Ingram Micro, the largest broadline distributor, said late Monday that it, too, will offer Cisco's unified computing systems to its VAR partners.
This report was updated late Monday with Ingram Micro news.
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