New HDS Unit Zooms In On Channel

The new division is being run by Scott Genereux, a 15-year HDS veteran who was recently promoted to senior vice president from his former post as vice president of global marketing.

Mark Teter, CTO of Advanced Systems Group, a Denver-based HDS partner, called Genereux's promotion and the creation of the division exciting news. Teter also said Advanced Systems Group's sales of HDS products have been growing steadily. "They have good technology," he said. "And, especially with Scott, their focus on the channel has paid off."

As a result of the promotion, Genereux now reports directly to Dave Roberson, president and COO of Santa Clara, Calif.-based HDS. Genereux also now has a seat on the company's executive committee.

The promotion came as a result of Roberson's desire to improve HDS' channel business, Genereux said.

The reorganization is the latest move in HDS' growing recognition of the importance of the channel and comes only a few years after the company exited the mainframe server business to focus on storage, he said.

"Partners are asking for the next step, which is how can they do more business with us," Genereux said. "We are really focused on this next step."

HDS' channel business includes solution providers as well as reseller deals with Sun Microsystems, Gateway, SGI and others. Genereux said the company is aiming for a 50-50 split between direct and indirect sales.