General15.02.2013

Datacentrix named as first Riverbed RASP partner in Africa

IT solution provider, Datacentrix has been named as the first Riverbed Accredited Support Partner (RASP) in Africa, joining the ranks of a select, invitee-only programme that allows the organisation to provide high-value support services to local Riverbed customers, helping them to fully leverage the value of their technology investments.

“This is a significant achievement for Datacentrix, as it means that we have the necessary resources and correct systems in place to be upgraded to RASP level, and are thus trusted by Riverbed to be an official support partner, even on sites that may not have been implemented by Datacentrix,” explains Datacentrix CEO, Ahmed Mahomed.

“To be named as the first RASP partner on the African continent by an organisation which itself has been globally recognised for excellence in service experience and operations, underpins our aspirations within the service delivery arena and reinforces our commitment to Riverbed.

“It also highlights the strength of the partnership Datacentrix has maintained with Riverbed over the past seven years and its dedicated focus on the areas of WAN optimisation, network performance management and cloud storage solutions, offering customers the assurance that we are more than capable of supporting these solutions.”

According to Christo Briedenhann, regional sales manager: Africa at Riverbed, the organisation is making a significant investment in developing its partner network around the Riverbed performance platform and across its entire product portfolio, spanning WAN optimisation, edge virtual server infrastructure (edge-VSI), application-aware network performance management (NPM), application delivery, web content optimisation (WCO) and cloud data protection for backup, archive and disaster recovery.

“Only a select number of Riverbed partners are eligible for the RASP programme. Those considered must show a successful track record of selling Riverbed solutions, must be compliant with our channel programme and also meet all requirements of the RASP programme by providing a high standard of 24×7 level 1 and level 2 operational support services directly to its customers.

“After a number of years, where Datacentrix has successfully sold, implemented and supported Riverbed technology across South Africa, it is a great pleasure to welcome the company to the ranks of our RASP programme,” he adds.

Says Neil Simonsen, channel manager for Southern Africa at Riverbed: “Datacentrix has shown tremendous commitment towards Riverbed and our partner programme and this certification puts them in a truly unique position in the local market.

“As a certified RASP partner, Datacentrix is able to offer the highest levels of customer support, ensuring that any Riverbed investment is backed by world class service. The requirements to become a RASP partner are challenging and this reflects the serious investment Datacentrix has made to being a leader in the Riverbed channel.”

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