In support of the newly released VMware View 4.5, NetApp has announced that the integration of its industry-leading unified storage technologies enable VMware View 4.5 customers to achieve enhanced storage efficiency and virtual desktop scalability, while improving desktop performance levels for end users. To underscore this capability, NetApp and VMware collaborated to build a 50,000-seat virtual desktop infrastructure reference architecture that easily scales without sacrificing performance.

Xsigo Systems is set to announce a new, Ethernet-enabled version of its Xsigo I/O Director at VMWorld on Tuesday. The new I/O Director, available to order now for shipment beginning next month, will accommodate 32 10-Gigabit Ethernet ports. With it, administrators will be able to connect any server to any network or storage resource in minutes.

Distribution Central was a finalist in the BRW ANZ Private Business Awards 2010 in the Fastest Growing category, turnover greater than $100m. More than 600 companies entered this year's awards. Distribution Central was also ranked 387th in the list of the top 500 private companies in Australia.

Brocade is preparing a 100G Ethernet module for its NetIron MLX switch family, breaking the next LAN speed barrier in the flagship hardware line it acquired from Foundry Networks. The NetIron MLX 32, the top-end 32-port member of the MLX line, will be able to accommodate 32 100-Gigabit ports.

Read the latest SMB Blue Print Guide to quickly access your business' approach to disaster recovery. Acronis provides tips to implement an effective backup and recovery strategy, best practice advice on the areas of your business which should be protected and learn more about the true cost of downtime!

Acronis has enhanced its partner portal to provide better education for resellers. To improve the reseller experience resellers can now access webinar presentations, sales collateral, marketing campaigns, promotions, and technical updates. To educate partners, Acronis are running around one webinar per month on the improvements of the portal.

Distribution Central has launched its Partner Marketing Menu to assist its partners in the planning and execution of their marketing campaigns. Partners can select from a range of planning services, campaigns and other marketing activities, which are run by Distribution Central in partnership with Outsource. Distribution Central's marketing team will also continue to assist partners with marketing funding requests and claims. For more information, contact your local Distribution Central representative.

Distribution Central has launched its Virtual Suggestion Box and we're keen to hear from you, our partners. Send us your suggestions and feedback on how we can improve our systems, tools and services. The DC Virtual Suggestion box is located on the left hand side of our online quoting configurator - log in via Central-ID on any of our business unit website homepages.

CRN magazine has announced the second annual CRN Fast50. Building on the success of last year’s inaugural list, it’s a way to recognise the hard work and entrepreneurial success of Australia’s best and brightest channel partners. The CRN Fast50 entries are open until 17 September 2010.