Arrow, Artisan Offer Cloud Data Protection Service for NetApp Storage

Arrow’s (ARW) Enterprise Computing Solutions unit and infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) provider Artisan Infrastructure are collaborating on a new data protection service for NetApp (NTAP) storage, which the distributor will offer to MSPs, VARs, IT resellers and other service providers through its ArrowSphere Cloud Marketplace.

The service, dubbed ArrowSphere Data Protection for NetApp, is positioned to attract the attention of channel partners looking to build a stronger cloud storage practice. It consists of NetApp’s data protection infrastructure and a collection of service enablement features aggregated under a single interface to accelerate time-to-market, simplify billing and contracts and reduce management overhead.

What’s in it for VARs? According to Arrow and Artisan, the benefits list includes increased margins for a competitive market advantage, the ability to offer cloud solutions to meet customers’ business needs without the investment required to build a customized platform, recurring services revenue through the solution’s subscription management platform, and enhanced value to customers through a customized online shop or branded webstore.

Artisan sells exclusively through the channel and touts “the complete absence of channel conflict” as a major selling point for working with solution providers.

“ArrowSphere-accredited service providers like Artisan Infrastructure enable Arrow solution providers to develop a custom portfolio of reliable, cloud-based services that complement on-premise offerings,” said Jim Livingston, Arrow ECS North American Services vice president. “The ability to deliver true hybrid cloud capabilities enables solution providers to enter new markets and become an essential resource for long-term solutions, allowing deeper account integration and a strengthened relationship with customers as trusted advisers,” he said.

VARs and IT service providers can custom-brand the white-label service as a data recovery solution tailored for the specific needs of their customers, strengthening their position in the market by offering hybrid cloud data protection capabilities on NetApp storage.

"The ArrowSphere Data Protection for NetApp service offers a completely partner-branded customer experience and exceptional convenience by consolidating all cloud purchasing needs,” said Brian Hierholzer, Artisan chief executive. “This facilitates increased marketshare as VARs and service providers develop and deploy their own hybrid cloud data protection offerings.”