Hitachi Data System (HDS) is hoping to bite a bigger chunk out of the SME market by launching a reseller recruitment drive with distributor Ingram Micro around its SMS 100 product.

Having released the SMS 100 in October of last year (CRN, 26 October), HDS and Ingram Micro have set aggressive sales targets.

Neil Evans, regional sales director for UK channels at HDS, said: “HDS’ relationship with Ingram has gone really well and now HDS would like to see 40 more reseller partners to build upon it.

“HDS has also set a target to double the sales of its SMS products over the next fiscal year, as it has a wider spread. It has seen success at the low end by driving SME functionally.”

The SMS 100 is available worldwide through all HDS’s VARs, system integrators and its direct sales force. Evans said that HDS is running a campaign with Ingram Micro to recruit more resellers.

Bhavesh Patel, commercial director for Ingram Micro, said: “Ingram and HDS want to grow in this market and there is a good opportunity for VARs, as they can sell storage and servers together.”
Patel said the SMS 100 is popular in education, finance, regional government and health sectors. “As a distributor, Ingram Micro has a good insight into what other vendors are doing in the market.

“There is a very small number of resellers in the SME storage space, so there is not much overlap.”
Evans told CRN that HDS has plans to release more modular storage products this year, based on the popularity of SMS 100.