STORAGE

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- Another execution-related announcement from Sun Microsystems (Nasdaq: SUNW) today as it announced the iForce Storage Elite Program, designed to qualify and certify key iForce partners with a core competency in storage hardware and software consulting integration. The new program builds on Sun's "complete storage solution" effort by offering qualified partners a unique, revenue-enhancing opportunity to meet growing end-user requirements for complex storage integration. This program is expected to increase Sun server to Sun storage attach rates by more than 30 percent. "Advanced Systems Group is thrilled about Sun's iForce Storage Elite Program. This designation will signify the substantial investment ASG has made in our data management practice and the world class storage deployments we have successfully completed over the last two years," said John Murphy, executive vice president of ASG. "By classifying only the highest tier of systems integrators who have invested in senior storage architects and made extensive investments in SAN labs and testing facilities, Sun Microsystems and our mutual clients will be more secure in their storage decisions." "PDC is honored to participate in the Sun Storage Elite Program," said Frank Healy, president of PDC Solutions, Inc. a Sun Value-added Sun reseller and national systems integrator. "For our customers, this means two things. One, we will offer the leading storage management technology from Sun Microsystems. Two, we will combine that with the best storage practices of PDC. We believe that this will allow PDC's clients to achieve a faster return on their storage investment and lead to a lower total cost of ownership." Building on Sun's focus on driving down total cost of ownership (TCO) for storage in the enterprise, the new certification program seeks to empower a team of highly qualified partners who can deliver on this focus with best-of-breed storage management software architecture and services. With the iForce Storage Elite certification of partner competencies, customers can be confident that using Sun iForce partners will result in world-class server/storage installations, from entry-level to the data center. "Services in general, and storage services specifically are an area of high growth for partners as well as high visibility for suppliers and customers. Certifications are key to ensuring competency levels and provides protection for partners and assurances for the customers," said Janet Waxman, director of Systems and Storage Channels and Alliances for IDC. "Sun's program addresses these areas, and coupled with the expanding suite of storage products provides a compelling strategy for partners that should be well received by customers." "The iForce Storage Elite Certification Partner Program delivers on the promise of 'partner value add.' This means that we strive to provide our customers with the best storage-qualified and knowledgeable partners in the industry," said Bill Cook, vice president of storage sales, Sun Microsystems. "We've already gotten very positive feedback from the 14 partners that are currently enrolled and working toward attaining certification. This is a winning execution strategy for Sun as a part of our complete storage solution." Sun partners who have achieved iForce Storage Elite Certification are qualified to provide customers with a variety of services, including implementing Sun StorEdge systems and software suites, and implementing the entire integrated solution on Sun servers. Additionally, the program ensures that partners are not only competent with the integration of Sun servers and Sun storage, but also with heterogeneous storage hardware and software that may currently be installed or planned for a customer's data center. The comprehensive accreditation differentiates Sun partners by enabling them to lead with storage management software architecture and services that are focused on lowering the TCO of storage -- a customer requirement in today's marketplace. The new iForce Storage Elite Certification Partner Program also provides partners with advantages such as special cash rebates on Sun products, participation in Sun branding programs, accelerated access to Sun field sales, aggressive demo hardware pricing and participation in co-marketing opportunities with Sun Network Storage at key trade show events. For more information visit www.sun.com