EMC, the world leader in information infrastructure, today announced the successful launch of its 26th Velocity Signature Solution Centre – in just three years – throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Part of the EMC Velocity² Partner Program, the Solution Centres demonstrate EMC Proven™ Solutions for mission critical applications and technologies in a live environment. Each solution is rigorously tested and provides integration with partner product offerings and complete implementation methodologies to ensure fast, predictable, and measureable results. Each Solution Centre is built with EMC and third-party hardware and software in real-world design, deployment and operational scenarios, and staffed with engineers working closely with technology partners.

A number of Velocity² Signature Solution Centres have opened so far in 2009, with:

• Emirates Computers in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• Croc in Moscow, Russia
• Unisystems SA in Athens, Greece
• Fritz & Macziol Software in Frankfurt, Germany

The most recent addition is MTI Technology’s second Velocity² Signature Solution Centre – in Wiesbaden, Frankfurt, Germany – which enables MTI to demonstrate replication between centres in two different countries.

"These Velocity partners have committed a significant amount of time and effort in building their Velocity² Signature Solution Centres and the sales benefits they’ve begun to reap as a result have made that effort worthwhile. We’ve found that partners who invite customers to participate in workshops at a Solution Center experience an average sales close-rate of more than 70 percent," said Peter Yarwood, EMEA Partners & Distribution Sales Director at EMC. "Customers appreciate the Solutions Centres because they are located at their partner’s site and also because of their ability to simulate their specific environment, thereby providing a real-life experience of the benefits they will achieve."

PROACT in Finland and Matrix in Israel are two great examples of the success of the Solution Centre program. PROACT Finland has experienced an almost 100% deal close-rate through the Solution Centre since its launch in March 2008. The Matrix Solution Centre, which was launched in June 2008, has had more than 450 customer visits resulting in deals in excess of $2m.

"The benefits delivered by the Solution Center have been better than we ever imagined and the investment put in has been extremely worthwhile." said Avi Goldstein, Director of the Integration and Infrastructure Division at Matrix. "It has been a significant sales tool for demand generation and has given our customers the hands-on experience they require. We’re also able to demonstrate EMC Proven Solutions along with our own, and the power and efficiencies possible through an integrated offering."

“Our long-standing relationship with Hampshire County Council has helped us design a tiered information storage solution that will provide capacity and performance for years to come,” said David Laird, Local Government Account Director, EMC. “With a focus on efficiency, as well as on driving the cost out of storing an ever-increasing amount of disparate data, we look forward to continuing to help Hampshire to meet its information management goals.”

EMC has also launched iGateway, (www.igateway.info), the foundation for partner campaigns and comprehensive marketing programmes dedicated to helping Solution Center partners maximise lead generation. Through the iGateway portal, EMC can provide customers with an interactive map of the Solution Centers. It also allows partners to showcase their own dedicated website detailing information about their Solution Centers and the tailored solutions delivered through these.

Frederik Maris, Head of EMEA Channels and Mid-Market/Commercial at EMC, said: "Our partners are experiencing the real value that our Solution Centers can bring to bear – both for customers and for the bottom-line. Each such investment highlights EMC’s continued commitment to our partners in helping them improve service levels and profitability; we plan to launch 10 more Solution Centers in 2010 and we look forward to working with our partners so that they can continue to reap the benefits of these collaborative efforts."