Vixel Appoints Two New Distributors to Market Its Fibre Channel Solutions in Europe.Business Editors/High-Tech Writers BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 7, 2000 Vixel Corp. (Nasdaq:VIXL VIXL Video Cross Links VIXL Video Image Cross Link ) today announced it has signed two new agreements for distribution of its entire range of Fibre Channel interconnect products. Hammer plc, a leading storage specialist, and the Microsystems Division of Acal Electronics are to provide Vixel with distribution channels in Europe. Vixel is a leading provider of Storage Area Network (SAN) solutions and the only manufacturer of a complete Fibre Channel portfolio of products, including switches, hubs and transceivers, all managed by SAN InSite(TM), the industry leading SAN management software. Hammer brings to Vixel's distribution channel, experience in the storage industry and keen understanding of Fibre Channel products in both the Storage Area Network (SAN) and Network Attached Storage (NAS (1) See network access server. (2) (Network Attached Storage) A specialized file server that connects to the network. A NAS device contains a slimmed-down operating system and a file system and processes only I/O requests by supporting the popular ) markets. This experience coupled with their emerging SAN strategy will add to Vixel's anticipated dynamic growth as it establishes itself in Europe. Acal also brings to Vixel's distribution channel its expertise and knowledge of Fibre Channel SAN solutions. In support of building its SAN business, Acal established the Fibre Channel Solutions Group to provide a centre for the sales and support of Fibre Channel products throughout Europe. &uot;These new distribution agreements demonstrate Vixel's commitment to building the channel on a global basis to ensure our compelling SAN solutions are readily available to address the growing needs of our customers,&uot; said Arun Taneja, vice president, Marketing, Vixel Corp. &uot;As more companies require an efficient means to access their stored data from anywhere, anytime, it is imperative we have the distribution channel established to meet that need.&uot; Both distributors will sell the complete range of Vixel products including the Vixel 1000 Hub which is the highest volume unmanaged hub A network hub that does not support management queries or commands. Typically an Ethernet hub, it serves as a central connecting point only. Contrast with managed hub. in the industry today, the Vixel 2100 Zoning Managed Hub A network hub that has intelligence built into firmware. Typically an Ethernet hub, it responds to management queries for statistics and to commands for setting the configuration. Managed Ethernet hubs evolved into managed Ethernet switches. Contrast with unmanaged hub. See intelligent hub. , the new Vixel 7000 Switch Series with Stealth Mode Taking place in secret. It often refers to the position that startup companies take when developing a product they feel will be very competitive in the marketplace. They swear everyone to secrecy and keep a very low profile until they are ready to launch. (TM) (Vixel's third generation private loop switching) and the Vixel 8100 Fabric Switch. All of the managed products will be supported by SAN InSite Management Software. &uot;With the addition of both Acal and Hammer as distribution partners, Vixel continues to build its presence in Europe and deliver world-class service and support,&uot; said Ron MacLeod, vice president, European Sales, Vixel Corp. &uot;Our one-stop source of flexible and reliable products with our compelling software, enable these distributors the ability to deliver tailored solutions to their customers.&uot; Vixel markets its complete line of SAN products including switches, hubs, transceivers and its innovative SAN InSite Management Software to end-users through its network of value-added resellers A value-added reseller (VAR) is a company that adds some feature(s) to an existing product(s), then resells it (usually to end-users) as an integrated product or complete "turn-key" solution. , alliances and OEMs. Through its alliances with leading technology providers, Vixel continues its mission to supply customers with increasingly faster, more reliable connectivity to their SANs. About Hammer Established in 1991, Hammer is the channel's Technology Partner, specializing in data storage solutions including NAS, SAN, fibre channel, RAID and disk/tape back-up peripherals. Hammer works closely with the vendor and reseller An organization that sells hardware and software to the general public. Resellers purchase products from software publishers and hardware manufacturers. to achieve increased market awareness of existing and emerging technologies. Dedicated product specialists provide knowledge, commercial and technical training and advice to resellers on technologically advanced products from world leading manufacturers. About Acal Acal Microsystems' Fibre Channel Solutions Group has been established to provide a centre of excellence for the sales and support of Fibre Channels products into Europe, Middle East and Africa. Acal currently sells and supports a wide range of Fibre Channel Products including Host Bus Adapters See host adapter. , hubs and switch products, and Fibre Channel connecting devices Connecting devices allow hardware devices to communicate with each other. The most popular example of connecting devices nowadays is wireless connections. Wireless devices transfer and receive information through infrared or radio waves. such as Bridges and Extenders. Its recently established Professional Services (job) professional services - A department of a supplier providing consultancy and programming manpower for the supplier's products. group provides training and consultancy services on the design and implementation of Fibre Channel networks and SAN (storage area networks) installations. Acal primarily acts as a distribution, services and support centre for leading Fibre Channel manufacturers selling products through a network of approved Value Added Reseller See VAR. (company) value added reseller - (VAR, or "value added retailer") A company which sells something (e.g. computers) made by another company (an OEM) with extra components added (e.g. specialist software). partners throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa. Acal's technical support team currently manages the Fibre Channel Association of Europe's Mobile technical support centre on behalf of the Manufacturers within the association. About Vixel Corp. Vixel Corp. is a leading provider of Storage Area Network (SAN) solutions. The company's comprehensive product portfolio of switches, hubs and transceivers with an integrated management software application delivers a reliable, interoperable The ability for one system to communicate or work with another. See interoperability. solution to its customers and partners. SAN InSite is Vixel's comprehensive management software for SANs, providing remote control and diagnostics for Fibre Channel switches Major manufacturers of Fibre Channel switches are: Brocade, Cisco, McData and Qlogic.
Established in 1991, the company continues to develop innovative Fibre Channel products to optimize the deployment, performance and management of SAN solutions. Vixel products are available through its network of value-added resellers, alliances and OEMs. Vixel is an ISO (1) See ISO speed. (2) (International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland, www.iso.ch) An organization that sets international standards, founded in 1946. The U.S. member body is ANSI. 9001 certified See certification. company. Vixel's European headquarters are located at 4 Sixty Acres Rd., Prestwood, Great Missenden, England, HP16 0PD, and can be contacted by telephone at +44-1494-890666 or facsimile at +44-1494-863331. For more information, visit Vixel's web site at www.vixel.com. Vixel Corp. is headquartered at 11911 North Creek Parkway South, Bothell, WA 98011 and can be contacted by phone at 425/806-5509 or e-mail at marketing@vixel.com. Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements forward-looking statement A projected financial statement based on management expectations. A forward-looking statement involves risks with regard to the accuracy of assumptions underlying the projections. that are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include risks affecting development of the storage area network, or SAN, market, Vixel's ability to expand in international markets, the competitiveness and performance of Vixel's products in the rapidly changing SAN market and the ability of Vixel to meet evolving product standards required by customers and others involved in the distribution channel for SAN products. Further information on the factors and risks that could affect Vixel's business, financial condition and results of operations are included in the Risk Factors section of Vixel's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-81347) and Vixel's most recent report on Form 10-Q Form 10-Q See 10-Q. , which are available at www.sec.gov. |
|
||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion