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Hitachi Data Systems Launches New Global Social Collaboration Platform

October 17, 2013


  • The Hitachi Data Systems Community Offers Customers Open Innovation and Direct Access to Hitachi Executives
  • Enhanced Global Accounts and Systems Integrators Program Uses Community to Foster Deeper, Meaningful Collaboration with Customers and Partners

 

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — October 17, 2013 — Hitachi Data Systems Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), today announces the launch of the Hitachi Data Systems (HDS) Community, an online social platform powered by Jive Software. The HDS Community enables customers, prospects, partners and employees to openly collaborate to innovate with HDS solutions. It is designed to offer businesses all around the world a new way of working, allowing them to learn, share and develop their information solutions with HDS executives in a secure and engaging environment.

The new HDS Community enables members to make faster, more informed decisions based on conversations and access to resources. These resources are on topics such as training, implementation of HDS solutions, dealing with unstructured data, and compliance. Members are motivated to participate through rewards and recognition, enabled through Jive Gamification, which rewards users for high value behaviors such as asking and answering questions, and downloading and sharing content.

Nick Howe, vice president, HDS Academy, Hitachi Data Systems, which provides training courses leading to HDS certification, says, "As our business has evolved in the information solutions space, the HDS Community offers a new line of communication with the range of customers, prospects and partners we now work with. It means we can be more open about innovation in our business, allowing people direct access to our operations and the opportunity to give their views on R&D. Their problems can also be discussed and solved much faster than before through crowdsourcing – a process that used to take weeks and months. We think this mode of communication is the future and we invite all those who work with HDS to join and get involved."

A key area within the HDS Community is the Innovation Center, a place where HDS customers can gain direct access to the HDS R&D organization. Office Hours is an initiative regularly hosted in the community by Michael Hay, vice president of product planning at HDS. In Office Hours, customers can interact with Hay, understand the company's roadmap, and take part in the shaping of new ideas.

Adam Mertz, senior director of product marketing, Jive, says, "Early on, Hitachi Data Systems recognized the power of social business strategies to transform the way they work with colleagues across the organization. We're excited to play a role in the new HDS community and see their global customers and partners harness the benefits of a robust community."

The Hitachi Data Systems global accounts and systems integrators program also launched the first customer-focused area within HDS Community. This area is a central feature in the enhanced program for global accounts and systems integrators. It will allow the HDS global teams to improve communication and collaboration with customers and partners, who will be able to engage with HDS experts in a very open dialogue. Altogether, this special area promises to foster a new way of doing business.

HDS also announced enhanced features in the program for global accounts and systems integrators to provide for consistent service and support, global commercial terms, and special programs for global customers. This enhanced program will help global customers and systems integrators meet their top challenges of increasing enterprise growth, reducing costs, delivering operational results, improving their infrastructure, and attracting new customers.

Barry Morrison, vice president, global accounts and systems integrators, Hitachi Data Systems, says, "We continue to invest in the way we provide world-class service and support to our global customers. Many of the enhancements that we have incorporated into the program are a direct result of customer and partner feedback. We really look forward to continuing our close collaboration with our customers and systems integrator partners."

The HDS Community will be showcased in partnership with Jive Software at JiveWorld13 in Las Vegas, October 22-24, 2013.

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About Hitachi Data Systems

Hitachi Data Systems provides information technologies, services and solutions that help companies improve IT costs and agility, and innovate with information to make a difference in the world. Our customers gain compelling return on investment (ROI), unmatched return on assets (ROA), and demonstrable business impact. With approximately 6,100 employees worldwide, Hitachi Data Systems does business in more than 100 countries and regions. Our products, services and solutions are trusted by the world's leading enterprises, including more than 70% of the Fortune 100 and more than 80% of the Fortune Global 100. Visit us at http://www.hds.com/.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 326,000 employees worldwide. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal 2012 (ended March 31, 2013) totaled 9,041 billion yen ($96.1 billion). Hitachi is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes infrastructure systems, information & telecommunication systems, power systems, construction machinery, high functional material & components, automotive systems and others. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.

© Hitachi Data Systems Corporation 2013. All rights reserved. HITACHI is a trademark or registered trademark of Hitachi, Ltd. Innovate With Information is a trademark or registered trademark of Hitachi Data Systems Corporation. All other trademarks, service marks, and company names are properties of their respective owners.

Press Contacts:

Hitachi Data Systems
Bastiaan van Amstel
+31 61 096 4023
bastiann.vanamstel@hds.com

Edelman
Sophie Bloxam
+44 (0)20 3047 2036
Sophie.bloxam@edelman.com