Magirus launches cloud computing training and certification
2012-05-10
Infrastructure VAD Magirus has launched its Cloud Computing Training and Certification portfolio with "Magirus Cloud: Foundations", focussing on Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). The aim of this cloud computing training from Magirus Academy, the company's specialist channel training division, is to educate on cloud computing and equip business partners with consultancy skills, hands on sales training as well as technical training in the future. The first module is targeted at sales representatives within business partner organisations and leads to certification supported by Colt. The goal is to ensure end-users receive the best possible advice and skills to assist them with their cloud computing implementations.
The launch of the training follows Magirus' partnership with Colt Technology Services announced in November 2011 to deliver enterprise-class IaaS via the channel. The "Magirus Cloud: Foundations" training module is available immediately and is free of charge to Magirus business partners across Europe through its offices in Austria, Benelux, France, Germany, Italy, Middle East, Portugal, Scandinavia, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The course is classroom-based but can be delivered via WebEx too. It centres on practical skills for sales people to identify and consult on the appropriate business implementation scenarios for cloud computing versus traditional, on-premise computing for their customers. The course educates on the different types of cloud computing and benefits before going through a step-by-step guide to IaaS. This includes when it is appropriate to use different technology components, such as VMware’s vCloud Director virtual data centre infrastructure and Cisco and EMC-based hardware through to pay-as-you-go and monthly rental billing options.
Magirus achieves certification to "build-to-order" Cisco UCS B-Series
2012-03-16
Infrastructure VAD Magirus has achieved a new level of certification to "build-to-order" Cisco's UCS B-Series systems in Europe. Starting immediately, Magirus offices in Austria, Benelux, France, Germany, Italy, Middle East, Portugal, Scandinavia, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom are able to build Cisco UCS B-Series servers from the bare chassis upwards by assembling processors, hard disk drives, memories and virtual interface cards, according to end-customers' requirements. Prior to this, the company had a "configure-to-order" capability, restricting it to configuring pre-defined bundles. Also, Magirus has announced a new B-Series Demo Lab providing a cost-effective, online capability for resellers to demo Cisco UCS B-Series systems to their customers.
From its European Technology Logistics Centre in Strasbourg, Magirus will offer tailor-made Cisco UCS B200-Series systems, enabling business partners and their end-customers to request any Cisco UCS B200-Series configuration and have it built within only a few days.
Magirus is no longer dependent on configuring pre-defined bundles to assemble servers. The company received its build-to-order certification after completing successfully a number of Cisco UCS B-Series pilot orders. This was achieved by demonstrating that it could meet Cisco's exacting standards. This involved testing the entire process of quoting, ordering and stocking of components and the build, integration, test and shipping of UCS systems. As part of the pilot programme, Magirus built 12 B200 blade servers.
Being a Cisco UCS B-Series Authorised Configurator (UBAC), Magirus is able to validate technically customers' orders. Business partners will benefit from Magirus' integration services such as network configuration support and the pre-configuration of operating and storage systems at Magirus' European Technology Logistics Centre in Strasbourg.
Magirus' UCS B200 build-to-order capability represents the first step in a programme that in the mid-term will enable Magirus to provide build-to-order services for the entire UCS B-Series product portfolio. Pilot projects with UCS B230 as well as B440 will be launched shortly.
In order to strengthen the demo offering with Cisco solutions for its partners, Magirus announced a new Magirus Cisco UCS B-Series Demo Lab. The Lab, which is based in Magirus' European Technology Logistics Centre in Strasbourg, incorporates Cisco UCS B200 blades, EMC storage and VMware technologies. Magirus partners and Cisco teams will be able to perform demonstrations online via secure, remote access. It means that Cisco UCT (Unified Computing Technology) or DCA (Data Center Architecture) partners no longer need to make significant investments in their own demo kit for presentations to their end-customers. This lowers the cost of entry for business partners selling Cisco UCS B-Series.
TD Azlan to distribute VCE ?
2012-02-13
Infrastructure VAD TD Azlan is seemingly in discussion to start the distribution of VCE Vblock systems. VCE is a joint venture between Cisco, EMC and VMware providing ready-to-use integrated servers built on the technologies of each company. VCE has since last June an exclusive distribution partnership with Magirus. A position which may thus change in the future.
Magirus clinches first pan-EMEA distribution deal with Embotics
2012-02-07
Infrastructure VAD Magirus has signed a pan-European distribution agreement with Embotics, a Canadian company specialized in virtualisation and private cloud management. The partnership represents Embotics' first pan-EMEA distribution agreement. The deal gives Magirus' 6,000-strong European resellers access to Embotics V-Commander, a virtualisation and private cloud management solution, which has been designed and priced competitively to address the mid-market (250 virtual machines and above). Specifically, Embotics’ virtualisation and cloud management products present resellers with an out-of-the-box, cost effective software solution to sell consultancy services to help enterprises better manage their virtualised servers and move to efficient private cloud deployments. Embotics V-Commander should be available through Magirus offices in Austria, Benelux, France, Germany, Italy, Middle East, Portugal, Scandinavia, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
