Pioneer-Standard Forms Storage Business Unit

Pioneer-Standard Electronics

In addition, the Cleveland-based distributor has signed to carry Hitachi Data Systems storage products, in the new Storage Solutions Business Unit.

Aside from Hitachi, the business unit will carry networked storage solutions from Compaq Computer, IBM Legato, McData, SAN Valley Systems, Tivoli and Veritas, the distributor said. It be staffed with dedicated sales and marketing resources and pre-sales technical-support personnel. The distributor also plans to develop lead-generation programs and other services for the division to offer.

"The introduction of this dedicated Storage Solutions Business Unit emphasizes our commitment to the enterprise storage market and our community of value-added [resellers who target this increasingly growing business," said Pete Jensen, vice president of marketing for the Computer Systems Division, in a statement. "While we have always had dedicated resources for storage, we believe this is a significant growth opportunity and it demands continued investment from Pioneer-Standard."

Bill Pinkerton will serve as director of marketing of the new storage practice and will lead the unit, the distributor said.