RLX Gets New Funding, Channel Exec

RLX

Chaired by former Compaq executive Gary Stimac, the vendor, based here, launched its first blade servers last year. RLX is hoping the new cash injection will push it into profitability.

"Much of the funding is to help us achieve our profitability," said Cynthia Ciangio, RLX vice president of marketing. "While the product [sales are coming in, and we are enjoying a revenue stream, we are still in development on products. We expect this to be the last round of funding."

In addition, the company hired Patrick Brogan, a former regional channel manager at Juniper Networks, as RLX's director of channel sales, Ciangio said. Brogan also served as a partner development manager at Cisco Systems.

"He is just now developing his [channel plan and starting to get some resellers on board," Ciangio said.

The round of funding was led by affiliates of Soros Private Equity Partners and Sternhill Partners, the company said.

Among RLX's early resellers is Integrated Archive Systems, Palo Alto, Calif. Amy Rao, the solution provider's CEO, said that while RLX is still a new product line for her company, "sales for it are going very well."

"They are definitely the leader in blade technology for servers, in serviceability and form factor," Rao said. "They just have a great solution set."

Rao said she has already met with Brogan. "We have great respect for Patrick," she said. "He is channel-friendly."