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Since establishing their partnership earlier this year, Tech Data Corporation and Zenith Infotech have recruited hundreds of resellers to attend webinars and seminars to learn how they can adopt managed services and capitalize on recurring, high-margin revenue. Recently, during Tech Data's Spring TechSelect Partner Conference in Las Vegas, the companies announced a free, 60-day trial of Zenith's managed data backup and disaster recovery solution exclusively available to the first 250 qualified Tech Data customers. The promotion enables these resellers and their sales and technical staff to become familiar with the solution before introducing managed data backup and disaster recovery services to their end-user customers.

"The Zenith data backup and disaster recovery promotion is an opportunity for resellers to get hands-on with managed services and learn what it takes to build a managed services practice," said Tech Data Senior Vice President, U.S. Marketing Joe Quaglia. "Enablement like this is a key component of Tech Data's support for resellers adopting managed services. Moving forward, we'll continue collaborating with partners like Zenith to develop the sales, technical and marketing initiatives our customers need to make the most of this exciting and profitable services opportunity."

"The most compelling aspect of Zenith backup and disaster recovery is how it delivers a solution that all businesses need as a managed service," said Akash Saraf, CEO, Zenith Infotech. "Leading with backup and recovery is an excellent way for resellers to introduce managed services to end users. In many cases it opens those accounts to more advanced remote network monitoring, which equates to more services revenue for resellers."

"Zenith's managed backup and disaster recovery solutions are not only a great way to introduce managed services to our SMB accounts, but they are a lucrative annuity stream and source of recurring revenue on their own," said Third Eye Technologies President Steve Alexander. "We're currently supporting several accounts with these solutions, providing our customers with peace of mind knowing that their critical data is protected."

The data backup and disaster recovery solution is a network-attached storage (NAS) device configured with Zenith's proprietary managed services applications. It helps ensure business continuity through virtual server restoration, and on-site and off-site duplication of critical data. Resellers deploy the device at their customer's location. It is then managed remotely by Zenith from its East Coast network operations center on behalf of the reseller.

In addition to providing continuous data backup, the device enables the reseller to be alerted instantly in the event of a server failure. As they head to a customer location to address the situation, resellers can have Zenith remotely create a virtual server replicating the faulty hardware, minimizing any business disruption by ensuring access to critical applications such as e-mail.

Resellers can select from several device models depending on their customers' needs. For example, the base model has 400 gigabytes of storage and can be used to back up a single server, while the Xtreme model has 2 terabytes of storage capacity and can be deployed to back up as many as 10 servers. Resellers have the option of purchasing each device upfront or on a subscription basis, charges for which they pass on to their customers as recurring monthly services revenue.

VARChoice—Tech Data Managed Services

Tech Data's managed services strategy centers on the approach of VARChoice, bringing best-of-breed solutions to the channel so resellers can choose the managed services that best align with their go-to-market strategies and meet their customers' needs. Tech Data's partners include: remote monitoring and management service providers Advanced Technology Services, N-able Technologies and Zenith Infotech; managed print services application provider FMAudit; and converged voice and data service providers Cbeyond Inc., Telovations Inc. and XO Communications.

About Tech Data
Founded in 1974, Tech Data Corporation is a leading distributor of IT products, with more than 100,000 customers in over 100 countries. The company's business model enables technology solution providers, manufacturers and publishers to cost-effectively sell to and support end users ranging from small and medium businesses (SMB) to large enterprises. Ranked 105th on the FORTUNE 500, Tech Data generated $23.4B in net sales for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2008. For more information, visit www.techdata.com .

SOURCE: Tech Data Corporation