What does NetApp have up its sleeve? The storage firm has been dropping invitations to an event later this month to introduce an integrated solution with some big-league partners. Enterprise Storage Forum takes a look.
NetApp (NASDAQ: NTAP) may have a partnership in the works with Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) and VMware (NYSE: VMW).
NetApp has begun sending invites for an event on Jan. 26 “to learn what we’re introducing to help you imagine and achieve virtually anything with one elegant solution.”
Speakers will include Tony Bates, senior vice president and general manager of Cisco’s Service Provider Group, NetApp CEO Tom Georgens, VMware CEO Paul Maritz, and “a special guest.”
The announcement could be the latest in a string of “integrated stack” announcements from server, data storage and networking vendors. NetApp rival EMC (NYSE: EMC) announced an integrated data center partnership with its VMware subsidiary and Cisco in November, while HP (NYSE: HPQ) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) unveiled their own alliance this week.
