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Compaq, SNI partner for Storage Utility

Compaq Computer Corp. and StorageNetworks Inc. have announced plans to partner on storage systems. SNI will deploy Compaq’s SAN solutions for use in the SNI Global Data Storage Network (GDSN), a play for providing storage services to the enterprise.

The GDSN will offer storage at the SNI (www.storagenetworks.com) site on a model similar to the way that telephone or electricity services are billed. Users will be charged an initial subscription fee, then fees for the amount of storage used.

Like the nascent ASP market, SNI’s utility model suggests that enterprises may be able to lower their total cost of ownership, since they do not have the risk of hardware purchases and the burden of staff to maintain the storage facilities. “We believe the utility is the wave of the future,” says Ron Avis, a spokesperson for Compaq (www.compaq.com).

The partnership is targeting dot-coms and other rapidly growing businesses who need quickly scalable storage systems.

In addition, Compaq has made a monetary investment in SNI, and hopes to leverage their storage management expertise to extend the value of Compaq’s support services. -- Christopher McConnell

About the Author

Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.