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Data Strategy, Inc. Becomes a Merit Community Supporter

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June 23, 2010

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Merit Network, Inc. today announced that Data Strategy, Inc. of Grand Rapids has accepted an invitation to become a Merit Community Supporter.

Merit Community Supporter is an invitation-only program based on Merit’s core values: Integrity, People, Innovation and Community. Merit has extended invitations to companies that share these core values, stated Elwood Downing, VP of member relations, services and communication.
Data Strategy logo
According to Downing, “a Merit Community Supporter is more than just a sponsorship program; the program will form a bridge between organizations selected and the Merit Member Community.” Merit’s Membership is made up of higher education, K-12 school systems, Libraries, governmental agencies, healthcare and other nonprofit leaders in the state. Collectively, they are the heart-beat of Michigan’s technology engine.

“One of the goals of having Merit Community Supporters is to ensure that our members are able to attend Merit Member Events, including the Merit Member Conference. These events offer an opportunity for the IT leaders in our state to collaborate, network and stay current on today’s new technologies. In today’s difficult economic climate it is difficult for many of our Members to send their staff to professional learning events and attend technical conferences. It is our goal to assist our Member organizations as they navigate through ever shrinking budgets and staff reductions.”

Earlier this month, Merit announced another partnership with Data Strategy to assist Merit and its Members in the launch of Merit’s new MeritLicensing-VMware Program. Data Strategy, a VMware partner and expert in virtualization, has already begun working to assist Merit Members with their virtualization needs.

Don Welch, president and CEO of Merit Network, stated “Data Strategy, Inc. was invited to become a Merit Community Supporter, because they share our core values. We are happy to expand on our partnership with DSI to offer virtualization professional services to our Members, and welcome them as a Merit Community Supporter.”

About Merit Network

Merit Network Inc., is a nonprofit corporation owned and governed by Michigan’s public universities. Merit owns and operates America’s longest-running regional research and education network. In 1966, Michigan’s public universities created Merit as a shared resource to help meet their common need for networking assistance. Since its formation, Merit Network has remained at the forefront of research and education networking expertise and services. Merit provides high-performance networking and IT solutions to Michigan’s public universities, colleges, K-12 organizations, libraries, state government, healthcare, and other non-profit organizations.

For more information: www.merit.edu

About Data Strategy, Inc.

Data Strategy, Inc. is a privately held company established in 2004 that provides comprehensive consulting services, assessments, and implementation of solutions and services to help companies meet their IT needs. Its clients include a number of healthcare, finance, and education organizations, whose unique requirements for privacy, security, and access are addressed through Data Strategy’s delivery of tailored solutions. Data Strategy’s unique level of expertise in virtualization technology is demonstrated through its participation in advanced VMware Lighthouse Programs, an invitation-only program for select partners who demonstrate advanced proficiency in VMware technology, configuration architecture, and lab environment implementation. Data Strategy is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with additional locations in Troy, Columbus and Chicago.

For more information: www.data-strategy.com

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