Hitachi Data Systems Creates Cloud Partner Ecosystem in Australia

Gammer Group, Perfekt and Availability Solutions Among the First Partners to Sign Up for Avnet Cloud Connect

Sydney — August 11, 2014 — Hitachi Data Systems Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), today announced the creation of a new cloud partner ecosystem with Avnet Technology Solutions, the global IT solutions distribution leader and an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT). Avnet was named national value-add distributor of the Hitachi Cloud Services Connection program (HCSC) in Australia. Under the brand Avnet Cloud Connect, Hitachi Data Systems and Avnet, together with independent software vendors (ISVs) and alliance partners, help a growing number of resellers and systems integrators (SIs) to capitalise on the opportunity of cloud computing without the need for capital investment. Among the first partners to join the new ecosystem are Availability Solutions, Perfekt, and Gammer Group.

Built on the proven Hitachi cloud solutions and managed by Hitachi Data Systems, HCSC is a white-labelled cloud service that is hosted in Australia and lets partners re-brand and resell cloud services as standalone offerings or integrate them with professional and/or managed services. Rivalling the economics of the public cloud while offering enterprise-grade service level agreements (SLAs), security, scale-out architecture, and self-service, Avnet Cloud Connect allows partners to tailor their cloud offerings to specific market demographics and verticals to fully exploit the cloud opportunity. Cloud models range from hosted private clouds and virtual private clouds to software as a service (SaaS).

A complete utility-based, pay-per-use model, the self-service portal's chargeback function allows service providers to invoice customers for usage with a monthly billing cycle. The new service offering uses the technological innovation of Hitachi Data Systems in areas such as infrastructure management, and converged and content management. This is backed up by professionally-certified Hitachi Data Systems service delivery experts and 24x7x365 support to offer a unified approach to cloud services.

"Hitachi Cloud Services Connection goes well beyond today's cloud service by offering businesses the benefits of the public cloud but with none of the risks. It uses an ITIL-certified, low latency, and local data centre architecture with strong support," said Phil Teague, director, industry and alliance solutions in Australia and New Zealand, Hitachi Data Systems. "By teaming with Avnet, we allow partners to build their own differentiated cloud offering around Avnet Cloud Connect to present their customers with a viable alternative to the public cloud. This is particularly important as more Australian businesses seek assurance on data security, privacy and regulatory compliance delivered from an onshore location."

"Avnet's partnership with Hitachi Data Systems is a great opportunity for our partner community to take advantage of this rapidly growing space," says Darren Adams, vice president and general manager, Avnet Technology Solutions, Australia and New Zealand. "Avnet Cloud Connect allows partners to go to market in a fast, flexible and affordable way. The need to outlay large capital sums in order to build their own cloud services offering is removed as partners can leverage the current investment made by both Avnet and Hitachi Data Systems."

Avnet and Hitachi Data Systems have already carried out a number of Cloud Connect enablement sessions with select partners. Held in Brisbane and Sydney, the sessions focused on winning business by driving consumption of Hitachi Data Systems infrastructure, enabling sales forces to deliver the cloud value proposition, and gaining a clear advantage in the competitive cloud market place. Feedback from the sessions has been highly positive with further sessions scheduled across Australia later in the year.

Avnet Cloud Connect Services' secure, locally hosted offering includes:

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About Avnet Technology Solutions
As a global IT solutions distributor, Avnet Technology Solutions collaborates with its customers and suppliers to create and deliver services, software and hardware solutions that address the business needs of their end-user customers locally and around the world. The group serves customers and suppliers in North America, Latin America and Caribbean, Asia Pacific, and Europe, Middle East and Africa. It generated US $10.36 billion in annual revenue for fiscal year 2013. Avnet Technology Solutions is an operating group of Avnet, Inc. For more information, visit http://www.ats.avnet.com/.

About Avnet
Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), a Fortune 500 company, is one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology serving customers globally. Avnet accelerates its partners' success by connecting the world's leading technology suppliers with a broad base of customers by providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal year ended June 29, 2013, Avnet generated revenue of $25.5 billion. For more information, visit www.avnet.com.

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 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.

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