Magirus is certified as Cisco Unified Computing System B-Series Authorised Configurator in Europe

Magirus slashes delivery times with configure to order data centre solutions for Cisco Unified Computing System B-Series servers

STUTTGART, GERMANY – Magirus, one of Europe’s leading IT solution providers, announced today that it has become a Cisco Unified Computing System B-Series Authorised Configurator (UBAC) in Europe. Magirus is the first European distributor to achieve this certification. This follows the announcement of Magirus to configure to order Cisco UCS C-series servers in June. Effective immediately, Magirus can tailor data centre solutions based on Cisco Unified Computing System B-series servers for certified Cisco Authorised Technology Provider (ATP) resellers in less than five working days. This is significant as it gives extensive flexibility to configure to order Cisco’s entire Unified Computing System portfolio with complementary products into a comprehensive, bespoke data centre solution. Previously, this ability for resellers to tailor end-customer data centre requirements was limited and typically took a month.

Magirus can configure pre-built base Cisco Unified Computing System B-Series servers for Cisco ATP  resellers in all countries in the European Economic Area* with fast delivery times from as little as under five working days from order to delivery. From its European Technology Logistics Centre in Strasbourg, France, Magirus will stock and configure Cisco Unified Computing System B-series blade servers. It will offer a complete ‘configure to order’ capability based upon the Cisco Unified Computing System B-Series 5100 chassis; B400 M1, B200 M2 and B250 M2 blade servers.  Resellers can ‘configure to order’ from: a base of processing power; RAM, input/output; and internal memory resources.

Also, resellers have the flexibility for Magirus to integrate complementary storage, virtualisation, networking and open source products – serving the growing demand for unified data centre solutions which reduce infrastructure and cost.

Dominique Vanhamme, director of operations, European Distribution at Cisco commented, “Magirus has a long track record in tailored configuration for many vendors and has excelled during 2010 with the Cisco Unified Computing System C-Series as a Specialty Data Centre distributor. As part of Cisco’s Data Centre Business Advantage vision to enable data centre resellers and their customers, it was a natural step for Magirus to take on the B-Series to create more advanced data centre solutions, and  enable Cisco ATP resellers to accelerate the delivery of UCS B solutions to end customers.”

Magirus’ UBAC certification gives resellers more choice for their customers by configuring solutions specifically to their requirements. Also, resellers receive the highest-quality assembly. Each Cisco component has to be validated to meet Cisco’s rigorous testing standard as part of the data centre solution in which it operates.

Resellers can even access and supplement their customer’s configuration remotely via a secure VPN link before it is shipped. This gives them the added flexibility to add remotely their own software.

Ian Parslow, vice-president, Sales at MTI, a specialist cloud infrastructure consultancy and a qualified member of the Vblock™ partner ecosystem for VCE operating in Europe commented: We have successfully traded for years with Magirus and now with its enhanced ability to configure to order and quickly deliver Cisco’s Unified Computing System (UCS), B and C-series, combined with EMC and VMware expertise - it makes a very compelling proposition for us.”

Christian Magirus, executive vice-president & COO at Magirus commented, “Our plan is to continue to innovate in how we provide value in the data centre for the channel. We want to be the one-stop-shop for channel data centre solutions and open the door to all Cisco partners. Our logistics centre in Strasbourg is a real point of differentiation and provides a central hub from which to serve resellers across Europe, providing unprecedented levels of support and slashing delivery times from weeks to days.”

Resellers may take advantage of Magirus’ integration services such as network configuration support or pre-configuring operating, storage and virtualisation systems at the European Technology Logistics Centre in Strasbourg. The integration services provide additional capability for resellers and their customers.

UK resellers wanting further information should contact Richard Chapman, business development manager 01344 401600. Further information on the Cisco Unified Computing System B-series can be found at: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps10280/index.html