Category Archives: 2016

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Sphere 3D’s Tandberg Data Subsidiary Introduces New RDX QuikStor SATA III, Providing Fast Backup for Hypervisor Virtualization Implementations and More

Replacement for SATA I RDX disk-based storage systems delivers 7X speed improvement; targets banking/finance, defense, telco, surveillance and many other verticals

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sphere 3D Corp. (NASDAQ:ANY), a containerization, virtualization and data management solutions provider and parent company of Overland Storage and Tandberg Data, today introduced RDX® QuikStorTM SATA1 III, a removable disk storage and archive system for a seamless hypervisor integration experience with Microsoft Hyper-V and VMware for backup, archive and data exchange2. With significant performance improvements, the new RDX QuikStor delivers a 7x faster speed improvement, when compared with previous generation SATA I devices, and is designed for compatibility with all current and future RDX media cartridges.

Hugo Bergmann, product manager of RDX storage and software solutions at Tandberg Data, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sphere 3D said, “The launch of this RDX QuikStor SATA III removable disk drive is part of a program that sees our RDX platform undergo major enhancements to exceed the needs of both physical and virtual server deployments. In addition, the new offering meets the compliance and regulatory requirements for backup and archive storage for a broad range of industries while laying out the foundation for the future of SMB and SME data protection. It also enhances the level of security for customers as they transport their business-critical data.” 

Dimitri Schewtschenko, product manager at TAROX AG, and a customer of Tandberg Data, shared, “We have been a fan of RDX products since adopting our first SATA I drive in 2006. This product provides the reliability and robustness that we require for full system protection. The product just works. We are now excited about the SATA III offering as it builds upon the already impressive RDX capabilities and its design allows integration with Hyper-V and VMware server deployments.”

The RDX QuikStor SATA III interface is a third-generation SATA interface running at 6.0Gb/s and can support bandwidth throughputs of 330MB/s with Solid State Drive (SSD) and 130MB/s with current Hard Disk Drive (HDD) based media. Although SATA III specifications provide backward compatibility to function on SATA I and SATA II ports, the SATA III interface technology allows wider and better RDX integration particularly for the backup and archiving of data in professional IT, transportation and harsh environments (i.e. extreme heat, cold, vibrations, dirt and dust) including single server virtualization platforms. Moreover, this is the first RDX hardware encryption aware device with a built-in component allowing the encryption of RDX media to meet and exceed customers’ compliance requirements for backup, archive and data transportation.

Collectively these RDX enhancements provide a high performance and tightly integrated hypervisor user experience that is particularly well suited for banking/finance, healthcare, defense and video surveillance sectors that need to backup high-security application data, and for users seeking to interface RDX to virtual servers built on hypervisors such as Hyper-V and VMware.

Pricing and Availability

The Tandberg Data RDX QuikStor SATA III removable disk storage and archive system is available effective immediately at a USD-list price of $209 and a Euro list-price of €189.  For more information see http://www.tandbergdata.com/us/index.cfm/products/removable-disk/rdx-quikstor/.

About RDX QuikStor

RDX QuikStor is a disk-based storage system with removable cartridges that offers rugged, reliable, secure and convenient data backup, and is ideal for global enterprises, SME and SMB markets. The server-class device combines the benefits of tape and disk, is hardware encryption aware, and also offers powerful deduplication and data protection with AccuGuardTM software. Superior data protection and retrieval is simple and painless with RDX QuikStor. To date, the company has sold 850,000+ RDX drives with a total capacity of approximately 1.4 exabytes.  

About Sphere 3D

Sphere 3D Corp. (NASDAQ:ANY) delivers industry renowned data management, and desktop and application virtualization solutions via hybrid Cloud, Cloud and on-premise implementations through its global reseller network.  Sphere 3D, along with its wholly-owned subsidiaries Overland Storage and Tandberg Data, has a strong portfolio of brands including Glassware 2.0TM,SnapCLOUDTM, SnapScale®, SnapServer®, SnapSync TM, V3, RDX®, and NEO®.  For more information, visit www.sphere3d.com. Follow us on Twitter @Sphere3D, @overlandstorage, and @tandbergdata.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, unforeseen changes in the course of Sphere 3D’s business or the business of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including, without limitation, Overland Storage and Tandberg Data; the timing of releases of any new or updated versions of our products;the performance and functionality of our products; the level of success of our collaborations and business partnerships; possible actions by customers, partners, suppliers, competitors or regulatory authorities; and other risks detailed from time to time in Sphere 3D’s periodic reports contained in our Annual Information Form and other filings with Canadian securities regulators (www.sedar.com) and in prior periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov). Sphere 3D undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.  

1 Serial ATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment or SATA) is a standard computer interface for connecting hard drives into computer systems.

2 For an effective hypervisor experience, customers need 100MBs/s or more performance.  SATA III, with 300MBs/s, more than addresses this requirement.

 Media Contacts

Eileen Elam
408-283-4734
media.relations@sphere3d.com

Nick Foot
BWW Communications
+44-1491-636393
nick.foot@bwwcomms.com

Investor Contact

Blueshirt Group
Michael Bishop
415-217-4968
mike@blueshirtgroup.com

Source: Sphere 3D Corporation

InFocus

InFocus Projectors Raise the Bar with Four New Lines Revolutionizing Wireless Presenting

InFocus LightCast enables the only projectors that are Miracast, AirPlay and Chrome compatible for wireless casting from any device in the classroom and the conference room

InfoComm, LAS VEGAS, NV. – June 8, 2016 — Projection and collaboration pioneer InFocus Corporation (www.infocus.com) announces four new projector lines that set new standards for flexibility, power, performance and wireless connectivity, today at InfoComm 2016. Each is equipped with the latest in technology from short-throw lenses, to embedded storage, to powerful brightness to InFocus LightCast technology, which allows native casting for AirPlay, Miracast, or Chrome to wirelessly display content and enable anyone to cast content from their own device. The new lines with LightCast include built-in whiteboard tools and a web browser to enable Internet access without connecting to a separate device. InFocus’ new projector fleet is breaking barriers to wireless projection and collaboration while offering the right solution for every user in every space and application.

InFocus IN2120x Network Projector Series

“InFocus is the only company providing customers with easy ways to connect wirelessly, from any device, and share content. With LightCast, we’ve added wireless technology to our projectors that’s compatible with content from any device, making collaboration possible with every presentation,” said David Duncan, InFocus director of projection product management. “We are offering affordable and flexible solutions that are built for any application and nearly any space, from large venues to conference rooms to brightly lit classrooms.”

The IN2120x network projectors offer high brightness with up to 4,200 lumen images, 1080p resolution, 3D capability and flexible connectivity options including HDMI and VGA, which makes them ideal for mid-sized conference rooms and classrooms that have high ambient light. While the IN2124x, IN2126x and IN2128HDx offer PC-free presentation with onboard storage and memory, the IN2124LC, IN2126LC and IN2128HDLC add wireless device casting with LightCast technology. Boasting impressive brightness, the IN2120x network projectors increases effectiveness and visibility of presentations and lessons and with minimal IT configuration needed, the IN2120x projectors connect to internal networks and sync with Crestron or AMX systems.

InFocus IN5148HD Projector

Debuting today, the IN5148HD is InFocus’ new large-venue projector. IN5148HD comes with full, crisp 1080p high-definition resolution, to show presentations the way they were meant to be seen on the big screen. IN5148HD has 5,000 lumens and can display bright images even with the lights on. Flexible 1.49-3.02 throw ratio and 2:1 zoom mean these projectors fit 90 percent of pre-existing applications with motorized lens shifting, focusing, and zooming. IN5148HDLC also comes with LightCast for wireless casting of content from any MiraCast, AirPlay or Chrome device in large format, and is HDBaseT certified for interoperability and ease of install.

For ultimate flexibility, InFocus combines vivid projection with high-quality audio in its new IN120x Series, which includes the IN124x, and IN126x, as well as previously announced IN128HDx, IN128HDSTx, with 1080p HD resolution. The low-cost IN120x projectors are perfect for classrooms and offices because each model features 4000 lumens and a high 15,000:1 contrast ratio, as well as exceptional room-filling sound. Great for installation or tabletop flexibility even when placed close to the screen, the IN128HDSTx projector has a short throw ratio, allowing users to create big pictures in tight spaces while minimizing shadows. This value-packed projector is a great fit for schools and government facilities on a budget, which are available today.

InFocus IN1110 Mobile Projector Series

Finally, InFocus has added LightCast technology to the recently released IN1110 ultra-mobile series of projectors. The affordable IN1116LC comes with built-in 4GB memory and a USB port so users can leave their laptop behind and present on-the-go, while the IN1118HDLC adds full high-definition resolution. Both are compact and lightweight projectors with the most lumens per pound for flawless performance everywhere. And now the IN1110 series make any meeting collaborative with the addition of wireless content sharing via LightCast.

The new projectors will be introduced today at InfoComm 2016 in InFocus booth North Hall, #N1417. All projectors will be available in July and can be purchased through InFocus authorized resellers or at www.infocusdirect.com.

About InFocus Corp.
InFocus, the inventor of the modern-day projector and pioneer of the category, innovates collaboration solutions that drive successful, visual teamwork in video walls, control rooms, large venues, conference rooms, classrooms and workstations throughout the world. InFocus’ end-to-end, system level, in-room and video calling solutions deliver fluid, convenient, dynamic ways to connect, share and collaborate from anywhere.

Visit www.InFocus.com or www.InFocusDirect.com. Follow InFocus on social media at facebook.com/InFocusCorp, linkedin.com/company/InFocus or twitter.com/InFocusCorp, twitter.com/InFocusEDU and twitter.com/InFocusEP.

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Media Contact

Pippa Edelen
Director of PR and Social Media
InFocus Corp.
503.702.0060
Pippa.Edelen@InFocus.com

 

Red Hat Targets Midmarket with Keating, Tech Data Partnerships

By

Red Hat Canada has unveiled a new approach to reach the lower end of the enterprise and the upper midmarket in partnership with and .

Under the program, Keating will work with the vendor to uncover and qualify leads in the $500 million to $1.0 billion market. Once fully developed, those leads will be handed over to existing Red Hat Canada partners to close the deal, and will be fulfilled through .

Luc Villeneuve, general manager of Red Hat Canada, said that as much as possible, leads will be handed out to partners that are either incumbent to the customer involved, or preferred by the customer. Where there’s no incumbency or preference, leads will go to partners with the right geographical, technological, and/or vertical focus, as appropriate.

“We’ve been working for 12 months on getting this in place, working with legal, with ethics, on payment and money flow,” Villeneuve said. “We launched a month ago, and we’re already seeing partners engaging with Keating.”

While the volume closed has been small in the first month, Villeneuve points to a healthy pipeline, and an encouraging sign — partners who have been involved with the Keating arrangement are going back to the manufacturer’s rep and outsourced marketing and sales company with their own list of existing customers that they haven’t been able to follow up with as much as they’d like.

“Keating’s not there to close the lead, but they’re there to follow-up. It’s not just generating leads, it’s pre-qualified, so they’ll follow up with the customer, even sometimes meet with the customer, and then hand it over to the VAR to close,” Villeneuve said. “It’s not just telemarketing — they’re doing presentations and they have to be certified in terms of sales. They just don’t close the deal.”

Read the Full Article

Source: ChannelBuzz

Red Hat Launches Independent Sales Representative (ISR) program in Canada

Keating Technologies and Tech Data Canada selected as ISR partners to support channel sales

TORONTO – May 4, 2016 – Red Hat, Inc. (NYSE: RHT), the world’s leading provider of open source solutions, today announced an Independent Sales Representative (ISR) program in Canada to offer its full suite of open source solutions for cloud, Linux, middleware, storage, and virtualization technologies in collaboration with channel leaders. At launch, Canadian channel leaders Keating Technologies and Tech Data have joined the program to help bring open source solutions to a broader range of enterprise customers in Canada.

Via its new ISR program in Canada, Red Hat is aligning additional sales resources to collaborate with its partner ecosystem to provide insight, engage other experts when needed, and tailor sales approaches to meet customer needs.

Keating Technologies, a leader in integrated sales, marketing, and technical support solutions, has been engaged to provide a dedicated salesforce to focus on seeking new business opportunities for Red Hat in the Canadian marketplace. They plan to work collaboratively with Red Hat’s strategic reseller partners to bring Red Hat solutions to customers and prospects interested in the agility, flexibility, increased security, and quality of enterprise open source.

Tech Data Canada, one of the world’s largest wholesale distributors of technology products, services, and solutions, plans to facilitate the fulfillment and execution of sales transactions to meet customer expectations and to support Red Hat resellers.

The partner ecosystem is critical to Red Hat’s success as the world’s open source leader. Red Hat’s partner program, Red Hat Connect, is designed to meet the evolving needs of its partners, providing access to new Red Hat technology, training, product certification, technology adaption resources, and go-to-market tools to differentiate a partner’s brand in the marketplace.

Supporting Quotes
Luc Villeneuve, country leader and general manager, Canada, Red Hat
“Selling in Canada has its unique challenges due to our vast size. Our ISR program is a creative way to provide coverage and use the talents of our partners to benefit customers. Open source  technologies have become a default choice of IT departments around the world, and Red Hat Canada is helping some of the top brands in Canada use those technologies to compete. We are delighted to be working with top channel leaders like Keating Technologies, Tech Data Canada, and our resellers to bring Red Hat’s solutions to more customers across Canada.”

Larry Keating, president and CEO, Keating Technologies
“Red Hat offers an essential suite of open source solutions that enable Canadian businesses to drive their cloud and digital transformation strategy in a high performance, cost-effective, and quality-assured manner. This is a unique selling strategy to serve the Canadian marketplace and we are excited to be chosen to collaborate with Red Hat as one of its ISR partners for Canada. We are confident we have the sales expertise and resources to help make this program a success.”

Rick Reid, president, Tech Data Canada
“We are pleased to work with Red Hat and Keating to facilitate this initiative. We are always excited to collaborate with leaders in the channel to create new opportunities and solutions for solution providers to achieve mutual success.”

Additional Resources

– Learn more about Red Hat Connect

Connect with Red Hat

– Learn more about Red Hat
– Get more news in the Red Hat newsroom
– Read the Red Hat blog
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Watch Red Hat videos on YouTube
– Join Red Hat on Google+
– Follow Red Hat on LinkedIn

About Red Hat

Red Hat is the world’s leading provider of open source software solutions, using a community-powered approach to provide reliable and high-performing cloud, Linux, middleware, storage and virtualization technologies. Red Hat also offers award-winning support, training, and consulting services. As the connective hub in a global network of enterprises, partners, and open source communities, Red Hat helps create relevant, innovative technologies that liberate resources for growth and prepare customers for the future of IT. Learn more at http://www.redhat.com.

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Sphere 3D’s Enterprise-Class OverlandCare Service Brand Helps Drive Customer Loyalty and Repeat Sales

SAN JOSE, CA – ACCESSWIRE – May 2, 2016 – Sphere 3D Corp. (ANY), a containerization, virtualization and data management solutions provider, today announced that a recent campaign showed that its enterprise-class service offering, called OverlandCare, is viewed as superior and highly differentiated when customers compare it to offerings from other vendors in the same product class. The campaign targeted a portion of the Overland Storage SnapServer® data storage product installed customer base to promote additional SnapServer XSR and SnapServer XSD products. 75% of the customers that made a new purchase, confirmed their repeat buy was primarily due to the SnapServer’s unique enterprise-class OverlandCare services such as regional on-site break-fix services and a global technical support call center open 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week, and 365-days-a-year.

The OverlandCare global service and support program provides a broad range of enterprise-class services that enhance the entire life cycle of the product. All of the SnapServer product suite includes these highly valuable services and support programs. By comparison, competing NAS storage solutions from other vendors in the same product class typically only include limited support options like generic email or on-line community forum support with their product warranties.

After completing the purchase of an additional SnapServer, one loyal customer since 2007, an independent realty business owner in Plainview, New York stated: “The SnapServer XSD 40 is humming along nicely; however, knowing that the XSD came with the same dependable advanced parts replacement and break-fix services made the purchase an easy choice. It was pretty simple populating the device with the extra drives you sold me, and the installation on my network went without a hitch.” He added a personal note of customer satisfaction: “I have only good things to say about Overland, its customer service and its products. I hope it lasts as long as my SnapServer 210!”

“We believe the strength and distinction of our OverlandCare service brand along with the high quality and reliability of our products have played a critical part in building our massive installed base exceeding 1 million units deployed worldwide,” said Randy Gast, Chief Operating Officer of Sphere 3D. “When companies evaluate product choices, they often forget that the competitive pricing they observe from other vendors usually doesn’t include a comprehensive global service and support offering like that of our OverlandCare.”

After Sphere 3D’s acquisition of Overland Storage in 2014, the OverlandCare service and support offerings were expanded to cover the full portfolio of Sphere 3D brands, including virtualization and containerization solutions, V3® and Glassware 2.0TM, as well as the Tandberg Data RDX® removable disk storage systems. While all Sphere 3D products come with standard warranty coverage, OverlandCare also offers additional service enhancements and warranty uplifts to provide the customer with whatever level of service and support they desire to protect their Sphere 3D product investment. Key benefits of OverlandCare include:

  • 24x7x365 global call center technical support with local language support in Sphere 3D’s key markets
  • Global logistics and product/parts distribution centers
  • Technical support call centers resourced to ensure quick response and one-call resolution with advanced systems and parts replacement support
  • Next-business-day and four-hour onsite support available worldwide in over 40 countries
  • Onsite installation services and support
  • Proof-of-concept and architectural design services available for the deployment of complex solutions within customers’ infrastructure
  • Secure self-service support web portal, including online product registration and access to services-related information such as knowledge bases, technical documentation, and the ability to track and log service calls in real-time

For more details on the OverlandCare programs and the portfolio of Service and Support offerings from Sphere 3D, Overland Storage, and TandbergData:

– Overview of all Sphere 3D Support and Service Offerings: http://sphere3d.com/support/
– Download the OverlandCare Support Programs Datasheet

About Sphere 3D

Sphere 3D Corp. (ANY) delivers containerization and virtualization technologies along with data management products that enable workload-optimized solutions. We achieve this through a combination of containerized applications, virtual desktops, virtual storage and physical hyper-converged platforms. Sphere 3D’s value proposition is simple and direct–we allow organizations to deploy a combination of public, private or hybrid Cloud strategies while backing them up with state of the art storage solutions. Sphere 3D, along with its wholly-owned subsidiaries Overland Storage and Tandberg Data, has a strong portfolio of brands including Glassware 2.0TM, SnapCLOUDTM, SnapScale®, SnapServer®, V3®, RDX®, and NEO®. For more information, visit www.sphere3d.com. Follow us on Twitter @Sphere3D, @overlandstorage, or @tandbergdata.

Media Contacts:
Eileen Elam
Sphere 3D
408-283-4734
media.relations@sphere3d.com

Anna Johnston
BWW Communications
+44-1491-636393
anna.johnston@bwwcomms.com

Investor Contact:
Blueshirt Group
Michael Bishop
415-217-4968
mike@blueshirtgroup.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, unforeseen changes in the course of Sphere 3D’s business or the business of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including, without limitation, Overland Storage and Tandberg Data; any increase in Sphere 3D’s cash needs or our inability to obtain additional debt or equity financing; performance and functionality of our products; the timing and quality of our customer and technical support; the adoption of our products by potential and existing customers, the level of success of our collaborations and business partnerships; possible actions by customers, partners, suppliers, competitors or regulatory authorities; and other risks detailed from time to time in Sphere 3D’s periodic reports contained in our Annual Information Form and other filings with Canadian securities regulators (www.sedar.com) and in prior periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov), and risks detailed in the Form F-4/A relating to Sphere 3D’s merger with Overland Storage filed with the SEC. Sphere 3D undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

SOURCE: Sphere 3D Corp.

MakerBot logo

MakerBot 3D Printers Now Available for Public Use in Mississauga Libraries

The Mississauga Library System has launch a new initiative called Maker Mississauga that focuses on building new skills in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics through hands on experience. This initiative offers programs for handicraft, robotics, building, digital filmmaking, coding and 3D printing.

As part of the 3D printing program, MakerBot 5th Generation 3D printers are available to the public at select libraries in Mississauga.

For more information on Maker Mississauga click here.

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NETSCOUT Announces a New Global Channel Program CONNECT360

Through the new channel-friendly and multitier CONNECT360 program, global and regional partners will be able to market NETSCOUT’s enterprise service assurance and cybersecurity solutions.

“The introduction of the CONNECT360 channel partner program is a momentous occasion for NETSCOUT because it unifies previously separate channel strategies across our enterprise network product lines and provides a strong foundation for building stronger relationships with our most valued partners,” stated Gary Staley, vice president of world-wide channel sales for NETSCOUT.

The advantages of CONNECT360 include:

– Investment-based tiers
– Structured training and enablement
– Annual certification
– Dedicated channel account team

Read the Press Release