Hitachi Data Systems (HDS) today announced an agreement with Symantec to resell Symantec NetBackup data protection software and Enterprise Vault information archiving software. HDS selected Symantec’s information management solutions because of their proven reliability in helping customers protect and store their critical information inside the evolving data center.

Enterprise customers want an end-to-end solution from a single vendor to solve their data protection and retention problems. Businesses want to know their data is protected today more than ever before. The rise in big data analysis and the competitive advantage it brings has made that data more valuable to business. As a result, the need to protect data is increasing along with complexity, while budgets are decreasing. With its extended agreement with Symantec, HDS can now provide the best information management, software and services by leveraging the combined capabilities of the two companies.

“Symantec is excited to provide Hitachi Data Systems customers access to its market-leading critical data protection and information governance solutions,” said Brent Simon, vice president, Global Systems Integrators and Partners, Symantec. “Symantec and HDS have worked together successfully in the field for many years, delivering enterprise-class solutions to our joint customers. This agreement extends our partnership, enabling customers to acquire a complete hardware, software and services solution for their backup and recovery and retention needs from Hitachi Data Systems.”

Symantec NetBackup and Enterprise Vault are available to HDS customers in North and South America, EMEA and Asia Pacific through existing Hitachi TrueNorth Partners or directly from HDS. Through a phased strategy for data protection solutions, HDS and TrueNorth Partners will work with customers to build a more advanced data management-based protection and recovery solution.

“The combined solution of Enterprise Vault and Hitachi Content Platform enables customers to reduce overall storage costs, reduce backup windows, and achieve regulatory and corporate governance mandates,” said Mike Walkey, senior vice president, Global Partners and Alliances, Hitachi Data Systems. “This holistic approach helps customers meet the challenges of rapid data growth and exceed service level agreements, while reducing data loss risk and management costs. Together with Symantec, we now offer a fully integrated data protection and archiving solution that customers can buy from a single source and achieve a faster time to value. It’s been tested, certified and backed by the Hitachi Data Systems global support organisation to deliver the highest levels of data integrity in an efficient, easy to manage and optimised solution.”

Today’s announcement builds on the HDS strategy to expand from its roots as the world’s most advanced data infrastructure company, to its place today as the leader in data management software, services and infrastructure. That business transformation is evidenced by recent key milestones, such as Hitachi Content Platform available on the Verizon Cloud, and just last month with an OEM agreement with SAP.