MSI Systems Integrators (MSI) has initiated the Global Data Management Project (GDMP) to explore the viability of international and long distance storage concepts

[Omaha, Neb. - May 21, 2002] - MSI Systems Integrators, an Omaha-based IBM Premier Business Partner and leader in providing state-of-the-art data storage technologies has initiated the Global Data Management Project (GDMP) to explore the viability of international and long distance storage concepts. In conjunction with two additional IBM Business Partners located in Belgium and China, MSI is utilizing its TotalStorage Solution Center (TSSC) to develop and demonstrate the benefits of networked storage across geographies to mid-market and enterprise level businesses.

"The continued rapid growth of data storage is driving customers to consider completely new ways of addressing not only the growth of data storage, but also the availability, protection, and management of storage," said Phil Sauvageau, Executive Vice President of Practices for MSI. "Our Global Data Management Project is focused on leveraging various data storage technologies to provide world-class solutions."

By demonstrating the concept of long-distance mirroring and replicating on a global level, MSI will show that meeting data storage requirements for connectivity, disaster recovery, security, and remote management capabilities across less extreme distances (e.g. Omaha, Nebr. to New York) can be accomplished within the mid-market and enterprise arenas. Another facet of the Project is to show enterprise businesses that Network Attached Storage (NAS) is a viable option for many data storage requirements.

The Global Data Management Project utilizes several technologies to prove the viability of long distance storage concepts. They include the following:

• Extending Storage Area Networks (SANs) over Wide Area Networks (WANs) worldwide
• Long distance Network Attached Storage (NAS)
• Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) over long distances
• Comprehensive remote storage management - administration, monitoring, and maintenance
• Worldwide storage availability

The GDMP is expected to evolve over the next 12-months with progressive steps of additional capability. These capabilities will also support enterprise and mid-market businesses in addressing their growing needs and requirements for data storage availability and management.

About TotalStorage Solution Center (TSSC)

The TotalStorage Solution Center is a state-of-the-art facility that provides Storage solutions for SAN, WAN, and NAS configurations. The TSSC houses the latest in e-server, storage, software, and switching technologies from IBM, McDATA, Lotus, Tivoli, HP, and others to help customers realize the benefits of linking storage products into networks. The TSSC provides a live environment that can duplicate the client's informational technology structure to replicate the requirements they are currently facing and demonstrate real-time solutions that work.

About MSI Systems Integrators

MSI Systems Integrators helps companies make their businesses better by providing IT optimization, enterprise security, unified communications, business intelligence, business integration, business continuity, content management and open source solutions. A leading provider of hardware, software and services, MSI has deep technical skills and partners with technology leaders such as Symantec, HP, IBM, Cisco Systems, Microsoft, and VMware to provide world-class business solutions that help companies be more responsive, productive and resilient. MSI is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska with offices throughout the United States. For more information about MSI, please visit www.msiinet.com or call 800-640-4674, extension 2394.

For more information, press only:
Teresa Mardesen
MSI Systems Integrators
(800) 640-4674, x2394
tmardesen@msiinet.com

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