Storage networking group seeks more members

An association promoting storage networking among IT managers plans to increase its education and certification efforts in 2008, according to its new vice-chair.

“There’s still a lot of people who don’t know about the organization and the benefits,” said Ron Carson of SNIA Canada, the northern wing of the Storage Networking Industry Association.

It also hopes to hold seminars next year in cities it hasn’t hit yet, including Halifax and Winnipeg. Sessions are often run in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa.

The organization counts 25 vendors and a half dozen system integrators or resellers among its members, he said, but wants to increase that number. There are also some 20 end user members.

Among the companies not represented on its board, Carson added, is EMC, which is the largest storage manufacturer. Until the beginning of the year EMC had someone on the board, Carson said, who was not replaced when personnel in Canada shifted.

Carson’s full-time job is manager of knowledge services at Ottawa system integrator Nova Networks.

SNIA’s goal is to promote storage networking technologies in part through a number of educational events throughout the year and by overseeing what Carson calls “vendor-neutral” exams and certifications for those who design or sell storage networks.

The certifications are a way employers and customers can verify that staff have competence in certain storage technologies, he said.

The recently-chosen board for 2008 will be headed by John Cardoulis, brand manager for IBM Canada’s storage systems and technology group; Carlo Spalvieri of Pillar Data Systems; Wayne Hogan of Hewlett-Packard Canada; Nolan Evans of Richmond Hill, Ont. infrastructure consultant FlexITy Solutions; Kevin Mann of Sun Microsystems Canada; Bill Bowerman of CGI Group and Chuck Wright of Diversified Business Communications Canada.

Would you recommend this article?

Share

Thanks for taking the time to let us know what you think of this article!
We'd love to hear your opinion about this or any other story you read in our publication.


Jim Love, Chief Content Officer, IT World Canada

Featured Download

Howard Solomon
Howard Solomon
Currently a freelance writer, I'm the former editor of ITWorldCanada.com and Computing Canada. An IT journalist since 1997, I've written for several of ITWC's sister publications including ITBusiness.ca and Computer Dealer News. Before that I was a staff reporter at the Calgary Herald and the Brampton (Ont.) Daily Times. I can be reached at hsolomon [@] soloreporter.com

Featured Articles

Cybersecurity in 2024: Priorities and challenges for Canadian organizations 

By Derek Manky As predictions for 2024 point to the continued expansion...

Survey shows generative AI is a top priority for Canadian corporate leaders.

Leaders are devoting significant budget to generative AI for 2024 Canadian corporate...

Related Tech News

Tech Jobs

Our experienced team of journalists and bloggers bring you engaging in-depth interviews, videos and content targeted to IT professionals and line-of-business executives.

Tech Companies Hiring Right Now