MicroNet Preps Launch Of SMB Storage Line

Company:

Headquarters: Torrance, Calif.

Technology Sector: Storage

Key Product: Genesis V RAID

Year Founded: 1988

Number of Channel Partners: Several hundred in the U.S.

Ideal Channel Partner: Small-business-focused solution provider

Why You Should Care: MicroNet is moving beyond its consumer/SOHO roots with a new SMB-focused line of RAID arrays, and it's seeking channel partners to help it make the jump. It will face many competitors, but MicroNet stands out because of its storage-only focus and its 100 percent channel-centric sales strategy.

The Lowdown: MicroNet is not so much an emerging vendor as a re-emerging vendor. The company's primary claim to fame has been its Fantom Drives line of external drives and NAS appliances targeted at consumer and SOHO users, but the company now is preparing a product launch that will bring it into the small-business market.

With its new Genesis V RAID line scheduled to launch this month, MicroNet has been building a channel presence to help it move into the SMB space, where it will square off against rivals such as Buffalo Technology, Netgear and Cisco Systems' Linksys division.

Genesis V RAID is a complete product family, including SCSI arrays with space for either eight or

16 SATA hard drives, Fibre Channel arrays with space for either 12 or 16 SATA or SAS drives, and a SAS array with space for up to 16 SATA or SAS drives.

All support Windows, Macintosh, Linux and Unix operating systems, and support RAID 0, 1, 3, 5 and 6 as well as JBOD (non-RAID). They also have hot spare capability so that drives can be added or replaced while the array is operating. Pricing for the line has not yet been disclosed.

MicroNet in October brought on storage industry veteran Gary Goodman as its director of business development to spearhead the new SMB RAID array push, a product launch that has been 12 months in the making, Goodman said. In addition to the launch, the company also is shifting its branding strategy to focus on the MicroNet name, renaming its consumer line as "Fantom Drives by MicroNet."

To help build up its channel focus and help recruit partners, MicroNet is relying on its distribution partnership with Ingram Micro.

"Before, we primarily sold through Buy.com via Ingram Micro," he said. "But now we're using Ingram Micro's depth and breadth to work with other VARs and resellers. We're working to set up a rebate scheme for the new line, and in developing government and education markets."