An authorised iForce ready centre: Computacenter's solutions centre delivers it's first result

Computacenter's purpose-built technology testing facility has joined the ranks of the elite Authorised iForce [SM] Ready Centres after being given the thumbs up from Sun Microsystems[TM].

Authorised iForce Ready Centres are part of Sun's global partner programme, the iForce Initiative, which brings together a range of providers including system integrators and software vendors to deliver proven solutions that help customers harness the power of the technology and drive business advantage.

Horizontally focused, Computacenter's proof of concept and testing facility provides customers in a range of different industry sectors with the opportunity to pre-evaluate the performance of e-commerce, high availability or consolidation solutions in a low-risk environment, before rolling them out into their own mission critical architectures at their own sites.

Martin Rees, Enterprise Solution Centre Manager at Computacenter, explains the benefits of a proof of concept service: "It's an excellent way to de-risk the deployment of new technology. Not only can customers use our centre to test the impact and integration of a new application on a simulated version of their Sun infrastructure, they can also test the benefits of different Sun configurations and make well-informed technology choices as a result. The simulation can be done in real time, and with real customer scenarios, so you can be sure that you won't encounter any unpleasant surprises when you go live."

Computacenter's Authorised iForce Ready Centre also enables customers to test how Sun technology integrates with products from a variety of other vendors, such as Cisco, Oracle and VERITAS. "Being able to put all the pieces of the jigsaw together in a non-critical environment is a great asset. Our consultants have extensive experience of integrating Sun solutions and achieving this status demonstrates the breadth and depth of Computacenter's knowledge of Sun's technology," comments Jim Carroll, Sun Sales Director at Computacenter.

To achieve Authorised iForce Ready Centre status, Computacenter had to meet stringent criteria laid down by Sun. "We already met most of the requirements but the Authorised iForce Ready Centre recognition gave us a chance to review our processes and hone the comprehensive testing service we provide," adds Martin.

Cheryl Kelly, Global Director, iForce Initiative at Sun Microsystems, Inc. comments: "iForce Centres are designed to help businesses leverage the network to improve their business processes. Computacenter's addition to our expanding network enables customers to draw on the extensive expertise in systems integration and implementation by providing a venue to experience and test Sun technology in a risk-free environment through customer proof of concept demonstrations and pilot programs."

Steve Raby, Partner Sales Director, at Sun Microsystems UK added, "Computacenter have demonstrated their own abilities in designing, planning and building an entire datacentre from the ground up and we are very pleased to grant the new facility Authorised iForce Ready Centre status. The centre has been purpose built to ensure customer solutions are completely and thoroughly tested before deployment. For the customer the new facility is critically important as a mechanism for successfully implementing Sun solutions."