SANTA CLARA, CA--(Marketwired - Jul 23, 2015) - Big Switch Networks®, the leader in bringing hyperscale networking to data centers worldwide, today expands its Big Channel Program™ geographic coverage to include new distribution partnerships with Mayflex (UK), Actar (Brazil), NewGen (Australia), and Layer 8 Solutions (Canada) to help meet the increasing demand for mature, automated networking through next generation SDN. In the first half of 2015 alone, the Big Channel Program™ has seen deal registration increase by more than 150%.

Big Switch was also named to The Channel Company's 2015 CRN Emerging Vendors List for the second year in a row, and has further solidified its relationship with Dell's Open Networking initiative by becoming an authorized Dell solution reseller.

"Demand for Software Defined Data Center has come from all regions, driving Big Switch to enter into new distribution agreements that further expand our ability to reach and service customers," said Douglas Murray, CEO, Big Switch Networks. "Our inclusion in CRN's list of Emerging Vendors for the second year in a row validates our focus on robust partner ecosystems that support our customers' developing needs."

Big Switch achieved several significant milestones in 1H 2015, demonstrating significant growth and accelerating customer adoption of its next-generation networking solutions:

• 40% QoQ growth for the 6th consecutive quarter
• 365% YoY growth
• Q1 2015 Big Switch secured multiple $1MM or greater deals
• Named a Gartner 2015 Cool Vendor, Enterprise Networking & first mention in Gartner Magic Quadrant, Data Center
• Best of InterOp Finalist, SDN Category
• SDN Excellence Award
• JMP Securities Inaugural Fast 50 list

Enterprise and carrier interest continues to grow in the network automation, management simplicity and increased agility that Big Switch SDN provides, with a 250% increase in active POC engagements and more than 1,500 active users of BSN Labs in the first half. Customers are also deploying Big Switch solutions to automate networking infrastructure for their VMware vSphere environments. 

Big Switch has secured new customers that include CleanSafeCloud, U2 Cloud, a leading global credit card company, several wireless carriers, media outlets, a leading virtualization provider, and a large Japanese consulting and IT firm. In addition, existing customers continue to accelerate production deployments, including Intuit for their TurboTax network infrastructure.

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"At Big Switch we continue to see strong interest in next-generation networking technologies," said Matthew Russo, Head of Partners, Big Switch Networks. "Over the past year we've built a robust channel program with a focus on the US and Japan. As we continue to expand globally, we are thrilled to welcome Actar, Layer 8, Mayflex, NAIM, and Newgen to the Big Switch family."

"Enterprise interest in SDN has continued to accelerate due to the promise of increased network agility, automation and simplified management that this new networking approach brings," said Dan Conde, Senior Analyst, Enterprise Strategy Group. "The track record of growth that Big Switch has announced indicates that enterprise customers are moving beyond early interest and are increasingly deploying SDN solutions on white box and branded switch platforms with differentiated controller-based fabric software like Big Cloud Fabric."

"Brazil is a market leader for SDN adoption in South America and through this strategic partnership with Big Switch we are able to provide all of the benefits SDN has to offer to our customers," said Gustavo Mitt, Director of Technology, Actar. "These benefits include flexibility, scalability and meaningful OpEx and CapEx savings."

"We continue to see not only interest, but accelerated growth of SDN deployments in the United Kingdom. We are pleased to partner with Big Switch Networks to ensure we are offering our customers the best SDN solutions for their specific needs," said Andrew Percival, Managing Director, Mayflex. "In partnering with Big Switch we are able to provide our customers with open networking technology that offers far greater control and flexibility over network infrastructure."

"Big Switch Networks has delivered on the promise of SDN. The technology is real and has reached maturity, dramatically changing networking economics for CapEx and OpEx in the enterprise," said Robert Perin, CEO Newgen Systems. "We are excited to be the Australia and New Zealand distribution partner for Big Switch and to introduce this breakthrough solution to every organization in both of these markets."

"We are committed to delivering world class vendor products and solutions to the Canadian marketplace. Through our partnership with Big Switch Networks we are able to provide our Enterprise and Service Provider customers with next generation SDN products," said Jamie Bertrand, VP Sales and Business Development, Layer 8 Solutions. "Our focus on network application monitoring, tap and aggregation and network security is met through Big Switch's product offerings, allowing us to deliver exceptional ROI to our customers."

"NAIM Networks is excited to partner with Big Switch Networks to provide our customers with leading open SDN architecture," said Ki-Hoon Lyou, CEO, NAIM Networks. "We have seen interest in SDN offerings accelerate in South Korea, and with strong partnerships such as what we have with Big Switch, we are able to offer our customers professional technical support that will speed up the deployment of SDN technology. We believe this is the beginning of a very strong partnership."

"Solution providers continue to keep their finger on the pulse of emerging technology in order to stay ahead of customer needs. The exciting technology vendors recognized in this year's Emerging Vendors List don't disappoint -- the innovative technologies they bring to the table provide channel partners with product options that will propel their success into the future," said Robert Faletra, CEO of The Channel Company. "We congratulate 2015's Emerging Vendors for their outstanding efforts and for delivering cutting-edge technology solutions that will continue to evolve the IT channel."

About Big Switch Networks

Big Switch Networks is the market leader in bringing hyperscale data center networking technologies to a mainstream datacenter audience. The company is taking three key hyperscale technologies -- OEM/ODM bare metal and open Ethernet switch hardware, sophisticated SDN control software, and core-and-pod data center designs -- and leveraging them in fit-for-purpose products designed for use in enterprises, cloud providers, and service providers. The company's Big Tap Monitoring Fabric is a feature-rich solution to monitor existing networks, and Big Cloud Fabric is the industry's most advanced bare-metal switching fabric intended for new data center pods such as private cloud, big data, and VDI. For additional information, email info@bigswitch.com, follow @bigswitch, or visit www.bigswitch.com.

Big Switch Networks, Big Cloud Fabric, Big Tap, Switch Light OS, and Switch Light vSwitch are trademarks or registered trademarks of Big Switch Networks, Inc. All other trademarks, service marks, registered marks, or registered service marks are the property of their respective owners.