Hitachi Data Systems Launches Cloud Service Provider Program

Hitachi Data Systems (HDS) is looking to build out its network of cloud services provider partners that offer cloud services that carry the “Powered by Hitachi Data Systems” mark. To do so, the company has launched the Hitachi Cloud Service Provider Program.

According to HDS, the new partner program is intended to deliver enterprise-grade cloud technology to partners in addition to joint business planning, cloud service design and a go-to-market approach that helps partners deliver high-quality services to their customers.

“The program establishes a ‘shared risk, shared reward’ model to ensure predictable economics and business success for partners. Hitachi will help CSPs design and package differentiated and profitable cloud services, and will also co-market and co-sell partners’ cloud services that are ‘Powered by Hitachi Data Systems,'” said Neil Colstad, vice president of the Cloud Service Provider Program at HDS, in a prepared statement.

Brian Cann, vice president of Cloud and Infrastructure for global partners and alliances at CGI, a Hitachi partner, said in a prepared statement that the changes to the partner program enable the company to accelerate cloud deployments for customers while streamlining and consolidating operational tasks and management to support several cloud models.

“The new Cloud Service Provider Program from Hitachi Data Systems will better allow us to reduce risk and lower costs for our customers as they transition to a consumption-model, cloud-based IT infrastructure,” Cann said.

HDS also introduced two new cloud services:

• Hitachi Cloud – Compute as a Service is a private cloud infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) offering aimed at customers looking to rely on the hybrid cloud computing model. The cloud service was designed to be a fully managed, secure, on-premise cloud solution that is meant to provide predictable costs for enterprises.
• Hitachi Unified Compute Platform was designed to provide “strategic advantages” that accelerate deployment and streamline management and operations. It also includes new options for accessing VMware (VMW) vCloud Air and Microsoft Azure from any organization that prefers to build and manage private and hybrid clouds.

“Our upgraded Hitachi Unified Compute Platform, a converged solution, gives users the business agility and reliability they need to successfully transform their business with cloud,” said Ravi Chalaka, vice president of Solutions Marketing of Hitachi Data Systems, in a prepared statement. “Hitachi Cloud – Compute as a Service is a complete managed cloud solution that accelerates time to market, eliminates complexity, and aligns cost to quality of service and business usage. At the same time, it maintains the security of an on-premise solution. And our Cloud Service Provider Program provides more trusted choice in cloud services.”