QLogic Launches Advanced Solutions Partner Program to Turn Breakthrough Data Center Technologies Into Partner Profits

Innovative Program Tailored to Drive Superior Level of Partner Success With Products Based on Groundbreaking Mt. Rainier Technology


ALISO VIEJO, Calif., Dec. 11, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QLogic (Nasdaq:QLGC) today expanded its highly successful Signature Partner Program, a CRN 5-Star Partner Program, with the addition of the Advanced Solutions Partner tier. The new top-level partner tier is designed to support an expanding solutions portfolio, including upcoming products based on the company's Mt. Rainier shared SSD caching adapter technology and other breakthrough data center innovations. Authorized Advanced Solutions Partners will gain the skills, training and tools to successfully deploy and support new high-margin data center connectivity technology sales plus exclusive access to top-level program benefits and resources.

"QLogic's Advanced Solutions Partner program hits the sweet spot for channel partners looking to add incremental revenues through unique technical solutions," said Noemi Greyzdorf, vice president of strategy and alliance at Cambridge Computing and an inaugural Advanced Solutions Partner. "The Advanced Solutions Partner program delivers unique value and a competitive advantage by enabling QLogic partners to pursue emerging growth opportunities and capitalize on key data center trends."

Advanced Solutions Partner Program

The Advanced Solutions Partner program equips QLogic® partners with the tools and expertise to successfully address the hottest technology developments in SSD caching, virtualization and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), enterprise cluster applications, cloud computing and data migration. These high performance data center technologies create growth opportunities for channel partners that require advanced partnership enablement, including consultation, deployment and associated services.

"Products based on QLogic's Mt. Rainier technology will bring the benefits of SSD performance acceleration to a broad set of applications in the data center, seamlessly integrating into an existing SAN to create new business growth opportunities with existing customers," said Ashby Lincoln, CEO at VeriStor, an inaugural Advanced Solutions Partner. "Backing these groundbreaking products is the Advanced Solutions Partner program, which gives our teams the tools, training and expertise to tap into data center trends to improve our revenues, expand our margins and grow our overall business."

Participating channel partners receive all the same program benefits as QLogic Platinum Partners plus access to targeted marketing, sales and technical enablement programs. Advanced Solutions Partners receive in-depth technical and sales training; qualified end-user leads; dedicated technical sales support; access to QLogic's Solutions lab; early access to demonstration units and beta testing programs and more.

"Advanced Solutions Partners will receive the additional resources and support necessary to ensure success for themselves and the customers we jointly serve," said Rob Crawford, senior vice president of worldwide sales, QLogic. "By combining groundbreaking technologies with innovative partner enablement programs, we are deepening our investment in the channel, giving our partners new market and business growth opportunities, and furthering our leadership position in high performance data center connectivity solutions."

On January 8, 2013, IT Brand Pulse and QLogic will host a webinar for IT administrators and channel partners on the benefits of server-side caching. This Mt. Rainier technology webinar details how transparently integrating shared, server-based I/O caching is the ideal solution for maximizing SAN performance. To register for the first in this valuable, educational webinar series simply click here or use this link http://qlogic.adobeconnect.com/ssdjailbreak/event/registration.html.

Additional Signature Partner Program Benefits

QLogic also announced enhanced program benefits for Gold and Platinum Signature Partners, highlighted by a new prequalified lead processing and distribution program. Signature Partner Program members will soon have access to prequalified leads based on a partner's addressable core market and vertical market expertise. Eligible partners will receive increased access to a dedicated sales account manager who can assist with resources needed to close deals. Signature Partners have 24/7 access to QLogic's simple, automated Partner Connection portal, which provides promotional information, marketing collateral, quick status on certification and sales incentives, and beginning early 2013 specific customer leads provided by QLogic Sales.

"As QLogic gains momentum in the 10Gb Ethernet market and advances our leadership in server-to-storage connectivity with our next-generation FlexSuite 2600 Series 16Gb Fibre Channel adapters, our focus continues to be on growing our channel business and creating new business opportunities for our partners," said Chris Lorenz, senior manager of worldwide channel marketing, QLogic.

All QLogic Signature Partners receive registration discounts, no-cost demo equipment, reward spiffs, product promotions and free training certifications. Resellers interested in qualifying for the QLogic Signature Partner Program should send inquiries to channelmarketing@qlogic.com.

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QLogic-- the Ultimate in Performance

QLogic (Nasdaq:QLGC) is a global leader and technology innovator in high performance networking, including adapters, switches and ASICs. Leading OEMs and channel partners worldwide rely on QLogic products for their data, storage and server networking solutions. For more information, visit www.qlogic.com.

Disclaimer – Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements relating to future results of the company (including certain beliefs and projections regarding business and market trends) that are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. The company advises readers that these potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: unfavorable economic conditions; potential fluctuations in operating results; gross margins that may vary over time; the stock price of the company may be volatile; the company's dependence on the networking markets served; the ability to maintain and gain market or industry acceptance of the company's products; the company's dependence on a small number of customers; the company's ability to compete effectively with other companies; the complexity of the company's products; declining average unit sales prices of comparable products; the company's dependence on sole source and limited source suppliers; the company's dependence on relationships with certain third-party subcontractors and contract manufacturers; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; sales fluctuations arising from customer transitions to new products; seasonal fluctuations and uneven sales patterns in orders from customers; a reduction in sales efforts by current distributors; changes in the company's tax provisions or adverse outcomes resulting from examination of its income tax returns; international economic, currency, regulatory, political and other risks; facilities of the company and its suppliers and customers are located in areas subject to natural disasters; the ability to protect proprietary rights; the ability to satisfactorily resolve any infringement claims; uncertain benefits from strategic business combinations, acquisitions and divestitures; declines in the market value of the company's marketable securities; changes in and compliance with regulations; difficulties in transitioning to smaller geometry process technologies; the use of "open source" software in the company's products; and security system risks, data protection breaches and cyber-attacks.

More detailed information on these and additional factors which could affect the company's operating and financial results are described in the company's Forms 10-K, 10-Q and other reports filed, or to be filed, with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company urges all interested parties to read these reports to gain a better understanding of the business and other risks that the company faces. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made only as of the date hereof, and the company does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

QLogic and the QLogic logo are registered trademarks of QLogic Corporation. Other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of the companies with which they are associated.



            

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