FNB selects Shoden Data Systems for data storage deal

Issued by Cogent Communications for Shoden Data Systems
Johannesburg, 30 Aug 2004

In a deal worth over R15 million, Shoden Data Systems - the local distributor of Hitachi Data Systems - has upgraded and revamped the entire storage infrastructure at FNB.

In a massive consolidation and optimisation of the previous storage environment, FNB installed two Hitachi Freedom Storage Lightning 9980V sub-systems, significantly improving what had previously been a disparate and complex environment.

"By consolidating the storage pool into just two Hitachi machines, we are able to reduce administration costs, better utilise existing resources and effectively address business continuity requirements," comments Azziz Cassim, COO of Technology for FNB. "In addition, the solution is scaleable online, enabling the company to increase its storage capacity on demand, without any disruption to the business process."

"As important as these benefits are to the daily business process," continues Cassim, "one of the key criteria was the rate of accessibility to data. Business growth can be crippled if the rate of data access is limited in times of demand. The installation of the Hitachi 9980V storage systems has considerably improved performance and data accessibility."

Shoden Data Systems

With offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town, Shoden Data Systems (Pty) Ltd is the sole distributor for Hitachi Data Systems in SA.

Shoden Data Systems also has strategic agreements with CNT - a provider of storage networking solutions, products and services- and is a reseller of Fujitsu Siemens Computers. In addition, the company is a Veritas Premier Partner, providing integrated, managed, best-of-breed storage area network solutions to the marketplace, and also distributes VMware, virtual machine software for Intel-based systems.

Based on more than 200 collective years of experience in the service, support and marketing of Hitachi products, Shoden Data Systems uses its intellectual capital and industry leading products to provide customers with total solutions in the storage, enterprise servers and connectivity arenas.

The following offerings are available:

1. Storage - HDS Freedom storage range, including the enterprise-level Lightning 9900 series and the modular Thunder 9500 series

2. Connectivity - CNT and Brocade

3. Servers - Fujitsu Siemens PrimePower range of servers

Hitachi Data Systems

Hitachi Data Systems leverages global R&D resources to develop storage solutions built on industry-leading technology with the performance, availability and scalability to maximise customers' ROI and minimise their risk. By focusing on the customer's perspective as we apply the best hardware, software and services from Hitachi and our partners, we uniquely satisfy our customers' business needs.

With 2 700 employees, Hitachi Data Systems conducts business through direct and indirect channels in the public, government and private sectors in over 170 countries. Its customers include more than 50% of Fortune 100 companies. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.eu.hds.com.

Hitachi, Ltd

Hitachi, Ltd (NYSE: HIT), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company, with approximately 340 000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2002 (ended 31 March 2003) consolidated sales totalled 8,191.7 billion yen ($68.3 billion). The company offers a wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors, including information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems, consumer products, materials and financial services. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.hitachi.com.

For more First National Bank (FNB) information, please contact: Janine Hills, Head of External Communications First National Bank Tel: 011 371 2111

Editorial contacts