QLogic Extends EMEA Channel Outreach Through Zycko

QLogic Extends EMEA Channel Outreach Through Zycko

Strategic Alliance Formed with Specialist Distributor to Deliver QLogic Solutions Throughout EMEA

STORAGE EXPO, London – QLogic Corp. (Nasdaq:QLGC), the leader in Fibre Channel host bus adapters (HBAs), stackable switches and blade server switches, today announced the signing of a specialist distributor agreement with Zycko.

Previously a distributor for Troika Networks, which was acquired by QLogic in 2005, Zycko will now distribute QLogic SANbox® 8000 and SANbox 6000 products. Under terms of the agreement, Zycko will distribute the QLogic products to its resellers across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

“We’ve had an established relationship with Troika for distributing QLogic products for more than two years,” said Nigel Lambert, channel director, Zycko. ”Transitioning to working with QLogic directly proved straightforward and hassle free. We’re pleased to be able to continue to facilitate the deployment of intelligent storage applications in a Fibre Channel Fabric to our end users.”

The new relationship will enable customers in the EMEA regions to benefit from availability of an extended range of products and solutions from QLogic as well as access to local field support provided by Zycko.

Operating from seven offices on three continents and distributing to more than 3,000 resellers, systems integrators and service provider customers, Zycko is a formidable value-add distributor within the channel. The company offers a range of training incentives as well as business development support in more than 60 countries per month.

“Our strategic relationship with specialist distributor Zycko is of great importance to QLogic,” said Bob Aitchison, senior regional manager, QLogic EMEA. “While Zycko conducts the due diligence in the channel, we are able to concentrate on enhancing our solutions portfolio. Having previously distributed our products through Troika, Zycko owns a wealth of knowledge and expertise on our product portfolio, particularly the SANbox 8000 and 6000 Series. This, along with its extensive reach makes Zycko an ideal QLogic distributor.”

About Zycko
Zycko is a value-add distributor of best-in-class IT infrastructure solutions – from convergent networks to open-system storage architectures – through a channel of resellers, systems integrators and service providers.

Zycko is privately held and has been profitable since inception in 2000, when the company’s original charter was to market data networking accessories to resellers as a wholesale distributor. Zycko now employs over 190 staff, serving over 3000 resellers around the world from six offices on three continents. The company enjoys an annual turnover of more than $120m.

Zycko’s provision of best-in-class IT products and logistics management is supported by true value-add professional services – such as pre-sales expertise, technical support, custom configuration, an industry leading accredited training program, and marketing support. These vital services and support enable our customers to quickly deliver profits and invest in new market opportunities, allowing them to differentiate in a crowded market. Zycko is the channel partner of choice.

Zycko’s strategic partner base includes world-class companies such as Avago, Asigra, CommVault, Diligent, Edgewater, FSC, Hitachi Data Systems, Huawei, Intransa, Isilon, MGE, NeoScale, OnStor, Polycom, Riverbed, StoreAge, QLogic.

For more information visit www.zycko.com

About QLogic
QLogic is a leading supplier of high performance storage networking solutions including Fibre Channel host bus adapters (HBAs), blade server embedded Fibre Channel switches, Fibre Channel stackable switches, iSCSI HBAs, iSCSI routers and storage services platforms for enabling advanced storage management applications. The company is also a leading supplier of server networking products including InfiniBand host channel adapters that accelerate cluster performance. QLogic products are delivered to small-to-medium businesses and large enterprises around the world via its channel partner community. QLogic products are also powering solutions from leading companies like Cisco, Dell, EMC, Hitachi Data Systems, HP, IBM, NEC, Network Appliance and Sun Microsystems. QLogic is a member of the S&P 500 Index. For more information go to www.qlogic.com.

Disclaimer – Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains statements relating to future results of the Company (including certain beliefs and projections regarding business trends) that are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. The Company advises readers that these potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: potential fluctuations in operating results; gross margins that may vary over time; revenues may be affected by changes in IT spending levels; the stock price of the Company may be volatile; the Company’s dependence on the storage area network market; the ability to maintain and gain market or industry acceptance of the Company’s products; the Company’s dependence on a limited number of customers; seasonal fluctuations and uneven sales patterns in orders from customers; the Company’s ability to compete effectively with other companies; declining average unit sales prices of comparable products; a reduction in sales efforts by current distributors; dependence on sole source and limited source suppliers; the Company’s dependence on relationships with certain silicon chip suppliers; the complexity of the Company’s products; sales fluctuations arising from customer transitions to new products; the uncertainty associated with SOX 404 compliance; environmental compliance costs; terrorist activities and resulting military actions; international economic, regulatory, political and other risks; uncertain benefits from strategic business combinations; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; recognition of compensation expense related to employee stock options and the Company’s employee stock purchase plan; the decreased effectiveness of equity compensation; difficulties in implementing smaller geometry process technologies; the ability to protect proprietary rights; the ability to satisfactorily resolve any infringement claims; reliance on third party licenses; the use of “open source” software in our products; changes in our tax provisions or adverse outcomes resulting from examination of our income tax returns; computer viruses and other tampering with the Company’s computer systems; and facilities of the Company and its suppliers and customers are located in areas subject to natural disasters.
More detailed information on these and additional factors which could affect the Company’s operating and financial results are described in the Company’s Forms 10-K, 10-Q and other reports filed, or to be filed, with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company urges all interested parties to read these reports to gain a better understanding of the many business and other risks that the Company faces. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made only as of the date hereof, and the Company does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Qlogic, the QLogic logo and SANbox are registered trademarks of QLogic Corporation. Other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of the companies with which they are associated.