Tech Data Expands Relationship With IBM to Offer SoftLayer Technologies Services Worldwide

CLEARWATER, Fla., Sept. 23, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tech Data Corporation (Nasdaq:TECD) today announced an expanded distribution agreement with IBM (NYSE:IBM) to offer SoftLayer technologies to its channel of solution providers throughout the United States and Europe. SoftLayer, an IBM company, provides high-performance infrastructure cloud service, including bare metal and virtual servers in one platform. The announcement was made in conjunction with Tech Data's Channel Link event, taking place this week in Orlando, Florida.

"Tech Data is pleased to announce this strategic agreement with IBM to offer a comprehensive portfolio of world-class SoftLayer products and services," said Bob Dutkowsky, chief executive officer at Tech Data. "As cloud computing and converged infrastructure continue to be strategic focus areas for Tech Data, the addition of SoftLayer represents an incredible opportunity for our solution providers worldwide to grow their data center practices by meeting the growing demands in physical and virtual environments for their end-user customers."

Built to provide the highest-performing cloud infrastructure available in the industry, the SoftLayer Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) platform integrates and automates data centers throughout the world through a private network and advanced management system. SoftLayer's modular architecture provides unparalleled performance and control, with a full-featured application programming interface (API) and sophisticated automation controlling a flexible unified platform that seamlessly spans physical and virtual devices. Additionally, SoftLayer's platform provides bare metal servers-dedicated, single-tenant servers-adding more control and enhanced performance predictability focused on high-performance computing and advanced analytics.

"Our distribution agreement with Tech Data showcases our focus and commitment to delivering the broadest portfolio of cloud solutions accessible to all," said Tom Blair, senior vice president of global sales for SoftLayer, an IBM Company. "As we add more data centers and resources to our IaaS platform, we'll be working with Tech Data to solve business challenges while helping our joint customers achieve their business goals."

As part of Tech Data's SoftLayer offering, solution providers will receive free migration services to SoftLayer through Racemi, an industry leading provider of cloud migration tools and services. Racemi's Cloud Path Software as a Service (SaaS) will be made available free of charge to customers in the United States until October 31, 2014. Additionally, each SoftLayer server will feature unlimited inbound bandwidth, as well as unlimited intra- and inter-data center bandwidth.

"We have been working with SoftLayer for several years now and they have been a fantastic partner," said Lawrence Guillory, chief executive officer of Racemi. "Now with the combination of Tech Data's unmatched global scale and infrastructure, SoftLayer's high performance IaaS platform, and Racemi's user friendly migration tools, we believe we can accelerate the adoption of cloud computing even further."

SoftLayer will be offered in Tech Data's Solutions Store, powered by the company's award-winning StreamOne global IT platform, an automated buying, selling, provisioning and billing system for cloud and subscription-based services technology that scales business and operational scope.

For more information about SoftLayer and other leading IBM products or services, please contact ibmcloud@techdata.com.

About Tech Data

Tech Data Corporation is one of the world's largest distributors of technology products, services and solutions. Its advanced logistics capabilities and value added services enable 115,000 resellers to efficiently and cost effectively support the diverse technology needs of end users in more than 100 countries. Tech Data generated $26.8 billion in net sales for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014. It is ranked No. 111 on the Fortune 500® and one of Fortune's "World's Most Admired Companies." To learn more, visit www.techdata.com, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.