BANGKOK, Thailand - January 26, 2005 - Metro Systems Corporation Plc., IBM, and Cisco Systems are pooling their efforts to boost the Internet Protocol (IP) storage networking market in Thailand. The centerpiece of the collaboration is the Total Storage Solution Center (TSSC) that will enable customers in Thailand to experience a fully-integrated operational IP storage network in a variety of configurations.
Housed in Metro Systems' premises, the TSSC will feature cutting-edge technology innovations including the latest storage sub-systems from IBM and IP storage networking equipment from Cisco. To kick-start the launch of the three-way effort, an end-user seminar is being organized from January 26 to 28 to introduce the latest technologies and solutions in the IP storage networking industry.
Suphajee Suthumpun, country general manager, IBM Thailand said: "The relationship between IBM, Cisco and Metro Systems creates a significant competitive dimension of industry-leading storage solutions. This unprecedented step provides clients with the industry's most comprehensive portfolio of information on demand solutions from IBM, Cisco's networking expertise and solutions leadership and MSC's systems integration expertise. Also, the collaboration is another principal driver of IBM's strategy to help clients breakthrough to on-demand solutions. This will give them the confidence of meeting customer demands, the ability to address new market opportunities with responsiveness, and stave off competitive threats with a resilient data systems infrastructure. IBM is focused on being the storage innovator and clear technology leader. IBM TotalStorage is introducing a solutions focused strategy that complements our broad product portfolio. These solutions are centered around: Infrastructure Simplification, Business Continuity, and Information Lifecycle Management."
According to Asawin Kangvolkij, managing director, Cisco Systems Thailand, the combination of Metro Systems' systems integration expertise with the technology strengths from IBM and Cisco provides customers with a strong assurance. "The introduction of IP to the storage networking industry is transforming it from a closed and proprietary world to one which is open, based on industry standards with a strong pace of technology innovation. Cisco is leading the development of exciting new standardized IP-based technologies such as Internet Small Computer Systems Interface (iSCSI) and Fibre Channel over IP (FCIP). Cisco is also bringing its expertise obtained from complex and large-scale IP networking to storage, and working with leading storage players such as Metro Systems and IBM to enable our customers to build and manage larger, consolidated storage networks more cost effectively and efficiently."
Mr. Tavit Charuvajana, president & CEO of Metro Systems, said this collaboration provides solutions from vendors who are truly specialized in each technology. "IBM and Cisco have been working together for many years to develop fully-interoperable storage and networking solutions. Metro Systems has the expertise in building large, mission-critical networks. The combination of strengths from these three parties is visible in the TSSC which will offer our customers with a one-stop center for all their storage requirements."
Mr. Tavit added that the TSSC showcases cutting-edge technology from both IBM and Cisco. This includes the new IBM DS8300 and IBM DS6800 storage systems that allow consolidated management with other storage systems, SAN Volume Controller for storage monitoring, and Cisco MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Switches. The center will be a proof of concept, and will also have fully-operational storage virtualization and real-time backup capabilities.
About Metro Systems
Metro Systems Corporation Public Company Limited (MSC) was founded on January 6, 1986 as the first business partner of IBM in Southeast Asia. Since then, MSC expanded its business to offer fully integrated IT solutions & services, covering a wide range of the world's leading IT products namely IBM, HP, Canon, Microsoft, Lotus, Oracle and many more. Visit www.metrosystems.co.th
About IBM
IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. Drawing on resources from across IBM and IBM Business Partners, IBM offers a wide range of services, solutions and technologies that enable customers, large and small, to take full advantage of the new era of e-business. For more information about IBM, visit http://www.ibm.com.
IBM, the IBM e-business logo, Power Architecture, POWER5, eServer, xSeries, BladeCenter and TotalStorage are trademarks of IBM Corporation. Other products names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Statements concerning IBM's future development plans and schedules are made for planning purposes only, and are subject to change or withdrawal without notice.
