Avnet Brings HP Storage Services To VARs

The Storage Advantage suite of resources are aimed at helping HP solution providers expand their storage practices, as well as helping server-centric solution providers build storage practices, said Tony Vottima, vice president and general manager of Avnet's HP Business Unit.

Among the tools is the Network Storage Advisor, a software application that allows solution providers to plug into a user's storage environment to get automated, accurate assessments of that environment. Solution providers can use the information to advise customers on how to expand their storage infrastructures, Vottima said.

While this tool has been available for some time, Avnet is implementing a lead-generation program for the service, said Eileen Gibson, vice president of customer marketing for Avnet's HP Business Unit.

Avnet is also offering solution providers training, both in-house and at Avnet facilities, on HP storage solutions, said Vottima. The training covers competitive information, integration of storage solutions and development of storage-led solution, he said.

Avnet is also offering HP implementation services to solution providers via its SAN Implementation Specialist program, Vottima said. Under this program, HP solution providers can become certified to either resell HP storage services, which are then implemented by HP, or provide the implementation themselves.

The storage services under the SAN Implementation Specialist program use HP's service experience and methodology, Gibson said. If the solution provider resells the services, they are offered to the customer under the HP name, she said. However, if a solution provider is certified to implement such services, they can brand the services themselves, she said.