EqualLogic Partner Solution Success
Foedus is a leading provider of virtual infrastructure technologies and professional services. As their web site states, Foedus specializes in "helping organizations leverage the unique aspects of these emerging technologies to solve common IT challenges in new and dynamic ways." With 25+ employees, and locations in Portsmouth, NH and in metro New York City, Foedus has continued to grow since being established in 2003. The founders had worked in the professional services team of another New England EqualLogic VAR, and seeing the potential of new opportunities decided to start their own organization. Today, their virtualization expertise, ability to deliver enterprise level Virtual Infrastructure (VI) systems integration, and strategic relationship with VMware, Inc. are key differentiators. Foedus' market focus is on Fortune 1000 financial services, retail & manufacturing and life sciences companies.
Their business solutions include Infrastructure Analysis and Design, Data Center Consolidation and Containment, Remote Office Optimization, Infrastructure Automation, and Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Solutions.
Partnering with EqualLogic
Foedus' staff from the beginning had strong IP data networking skills and experience, as well as the server virtualization background. But instead of trying to build their competency in Fibre Channel, they chose to focus on iSCSI storage to round out their technical expertise. EqualLogic and Foedus launched their partnership in 2004, joining experts in server virtualization with experts in storage virtualization.
Says COO Craig Sieve, "The impact of this partnership has been significant. We've been able to develop a storage practice here at Foedus in large part because of our ability to provide EqualLogic solutions to our clients-it has definitely opened up a lot of opportunity that we would not have had otherwise."
Customers clearly benefit from the merging of VMwareŽ and EqualLogic technologies, as Foedus can implement virtualization of both servers and storage for seamless infrastructure.
The partnership has strengthened as both companies evolved, but from the beginning there were strong relationships at all levels in the technical and sales/marketing departments. Today, Foedus and EqualLogic are even working to create unique solution bundles designed to develop new opportunities for both companies. Comments Sieve, "That's been a theme throughout our relationship-finding ways to work together that are differentiated."
Foedus staff members work closely with the EqualLogic sales team, not only finding opportunities but working strategically within customer accounts to develop and grow them. Sieve says that working with EqualLogic sales reps is a big part of Foedus' strategic planning as they try to develop business in their key market segments. Joint marketing has also been highly successful, including vertical industry webinars and presentations, as well as EqualLogic's participation in Foedus Virtual World.
