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Softchoice Corporation: Softchoice Attains Cisco ATP-MDS Fabric Switching Specialization Certification

^{Published on 2009-08-06 07:21:22, Last Modified on 2009-08-06 07:21:29 - Market Wire}
 

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 6, 2009) - Softchoice (TSX:SO), a leading North American provider of technology solutions and services, is proud to announce it has attained Cisco Systems' ATP-MDS Fabric Switching Specialization certification for the U.S. and Canada. This certification permits Softchoice to design and implement consolidated Storage Area Networks (SANs) using Cisco's unique MDS functions and optimal security features. As a result, Softchoice is well-positioned to meet customer data retention needs at a time when storage requirements are growing at an exponential rate.

"We are committed to helping our customers optimize business performance by leveraging innovative technologies that reduce costs and improve productivity," said Softchoice President and CEO, David MacDonald. "Through this certification we have broadened the scope of our offerings - from serving as a leading provider of IT products to adding the technical resources and competencies to deliver advanced, end to end technology solutions."

The ATP-MDS Fabric Switching Specialization reflects Softchoice's expertise in designing and building robust Storage Area Networks (SAN) for its clients. Cisco's certification recognizes Softchoice for its ability to leverage advanced Cisco technologies in the development of effective, efficient and secure data storage network designs. Through Softchoice, customers can access the industry's best trained engineering resources to create solutions that increase storage capacity, connectivity and security. At the same time, through advances in storage virtualization, organizations can reduce the number of physical servers as well as the real-estate, IT resources and energy required to support them, resulting in a smaller carbon footprint and lower overall operating costs.

"CIOs around the country say they're dealing with three key challenges: One, it costs more money to cool their data centers than it does just to power them; two, they are running out of rack space; and three, it's taking three to four times longer to back everything up than it did twelve months ago," explained Frank Ball, Softchoice's director for Cisco business. "This certification gives us the ability to help customers address these issues while allowing them to meet regulatory compliance requirements head on."

Over the last few years, corporate data storage needs have been growing at an average rate of 60 percent per year. As a leading provider of IT solutions and services, Softchoice combines the cost-efficiencies and reach of a large scale IT provider with the value and technical expertise of a local service partner. The Softchoice advantage comes from the company's ability to develop new network solutions for its customers and then advance these plans to the next level by providing cost-effective fulfillment for the hardware and software components needed to implement the design.

About Softchoice

As one of North America's leading providers of technology solutions and services, Softchoice helps businesses and organizations of all sizes to select, acquire and manage their software and hardware technology resources. Softchoice offers a full range of capabilities, including face-to-face consultations and IT asset management services designed to help customers save time, money and risk in IT procurement. Softchoice currently has 897 employees operating from 45 branch offices located in major cities across the U.S. and Canada.

Softchoice stock is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the trading symbol "SO." The common shares of Softchoice are not registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and are not publicly traded in the United States.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements relate to expectations, intentions and plans contained in this press release that are not historical fact. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "expect", "will' and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, change in technology and general market conditions, many of which are set out or incorporated by reference in the Company's latest Annual Information Form. Due to the many risks and uncertainties, Softchoice cannot assure that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release will be realized.