Global Storage and Hitachi Data Systems Partner to Deliver New Onshore Cloud Services for Customers Across Australia

Melbourne — July 21, 2014 — Hitachi Data Systems Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501) today announced a new partnership with Melbourne-headquartered cloud service provider, Global Storage. The agreement sees the 2 companies jointly go to market with a competitive cloud service that gives businesses rapid access to IT resources and simplified IT operations, whilst guaranteeing data is stored in Australia.

Delivering infrastructure and software services under a cloud subscription model, the Hitachi Data Systems and Global Storage partnership allows businesses to flex up and down without the capital expense (capex) and management requirements of traditional infrastructure. The new cloud services platform is underpinned by technical, architectural and sales experts from Hitachi and Global Storage. These experts specialise in infrastructure, converged technologies and cloud delivery, offering businesses a unified approach to cloud services.

Altay Ayyuce, director, cloud and service providers, Australia and New Zealand, Hitachi Data Systems, said the agreement with Global Storage is based on the ability of Hitachi Data Systems to be an effective go-to-market partner. HDS combines the right skill sets with technology leadership to deliver an end-to-end, integrated solution that cloud service providers can build their cloud offering on.

“Our partnership with Global Storage is a mutual relationship between the 2 companies that goes beyond technology to include sales and go-to-market support,” he said. “Under the agreement, HDS customers can continue to use industry-leading, enterprise-grade infrastructure in their IT data centre. They also have the option and flexibility of Global Storage’s public cloud offering to dramatically cut the costs and complexities of delivering IT services.”

David Duncan, Global Storage CEO said organisations are under increasing pressure to deliver faster deployment, simplify IT delivery and increase operational efficiencies, enabling them to free up resources to focus on IT-led business growth.

“We are glad to partner with Hitachi Data Systems for the delivery of our cloud services as Hitachi provides us the business flexibility and technology innovation that helps us facilitate our customers’ move to hybrid and public cloud,” said Duncan. “Already, our customers are running a significant percentage of their business in the cloud, and the vast majority is looking to migrate further workloads. With the new offering we are well positioned to capitalise on this market opportunity.”

Global Storage’s Hitachi-backed cloud services include its backup service DataReady, its disaster recovery offering EnvironmentReady, and CloudReady, an infrastructure-as-a-service vCloud solution. These services, hosted in Australian-based data centres, allow organisations to meet the most stringent security, governance and compliance requirements, such as the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and other legislation concerning cloud jurisdiction.

Hitachi Data Systems recently launched a new cloud and service provider division in Australia and New Zealand, giving managed service providers (MSPs) a comprehensive services portfolio that allows them to differentiate themselves in the onshore cloud market.

HDS and Global Storage Discuss Cloud Intelligence on Upcoming Industry Panels
Discussing today’s hurdles and emerging trends on the path to hybrid and public clouds, industry experts Adrian De Luca, CTO Asia Pacific, Hitachi Data Systems; David Duncan, CEO, Global Storage; Craig Scroggie, CEO of NEXTDC as well as senior IDC Australia analysts, Rajnathan Mudaliar and Glen Duncan, will share their insights into the cloud strategy of the future. The panel discussions, titled Intelligence for Your Cloud Strategy, will be hosted by respected business technology writers, Brad Howarth and Paul Wallbank.

Dates: Melbourne, Wednesday July 23 and Sydney, Thursday July 24, 2014.
Register at http://www.hds.com/anz/go/cci-events/

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About Global Storage
Global Storage is the leading Australian provider of compute, data backup and disaster recovery cloud services. Our Customers include blue chip clients across the Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Professional Services sectors.
Our expertise and specialisation in cloud infrastructure and data recovery helps our Customers realize the agility, efficiency and intelligent operations management of cloud computing, with the assurance of enterprise class data protection designed to meet the most stringent business requirements for business resiliency. For more information visit http://global-storage.com.au.

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 6,300 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/anz/.

About Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, delivers innovations that answer society’s challenges with our talented team and proven experience in global markets. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal 2013 (ended March 31, 2014) totaled 9,616 billion yen ($93.4 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 materials & components, automotive systems, healthcare and others. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com

Press Contacts:
Hitachi Data Systems
Isabel Wagner
+61 2 8005 1651
isabel.wagner@hds.com

DC Communications
Scott Mckenzie
+61 433 144 731
scott@dc-comms.com.au

Global Storage
Rachel Brooker
+61 3 9445 3300
Rachel.b@global-storage.com.au

© Hitachi Data Systems Corporation 2014. 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.