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Merit Network Launches Merit Cloud Storage Service

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March 2, 2011

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Merit Network, Inc. announced today the launch of their Merit Cloud Storage Service. Merit Cloud Storage is one of many cloud-based services that enable Merit Members to leverage their trusted connection to the Merit network and eliminate ongoing capital investment costs for equipment and infrastructure.

“As a trusted and strategic resource to our Members, Merit is committed to providing services that leverage our community-based network to meet their needs beyond connectivity and collaboration,” said Merit President and CEO, Don Welch. “We are very excited to be able to provide a high-value service like Merit Cloud Storage to our Members as part of that commitment.”

Designed as a cost-effective, stress-free solution for remote back-ups, Merit Cloud Storage offers bulk storage on an enterprise-level array that is provisioned using the Openfiler virtual storage appliance.

“Members who integrate Merit Cloud Storage into their backup and disaster recovery plan will shore up IT processes and budgets,” explained Jim Moran, services manager for Merit Network. “Merit Cloud Storage can eliminate the need to purchase and maintain servers or relieve the burdens of magnetic tape, which can be time-consuming and is prone to malfunction.”

“There are significant cost savings created when Members nearsource their data storage and backup to a trusted provider like Merit rather than supporting those functions in house,” Moran said. “Merit Cloud Storage takes advantage of economies of scale and is an excellent example of Merit Membership providing value through community.”

Merit Cloud Storage is ideal for community colleges and universities, K12 ISDs, RESAs and local government offices that are connected to Merit’s network because there are no additional bandwidth charges. Bandwidth is OnNet, which means it never leaves Merit’s trusted network and avoids fees for access and transfer usage that are common in other cloud-type service providers.

Merit Cloud Storage does not charge Members transfer fees, connection fees or other hidden bandwidth costs. Members who take advantage of the Merit Cloud Storage receive a flat cost and a fixed price.

Merit never performs data mining or similar invasive practices on Member data stored using the Merit Cloud Storage service.

Members will also find value in Merit Cloud Storage because their data is stored in a consistent, highly available location that can be accessed with ease at any time. And with Merit Cloud Storage, Members can purchase the space they need now and expand at any time to accommodate future growth. Obtaining more disk space is quick and easy.

Merit Cloud Storage supports remote back up for many different forms of enterprise data, including: database and enterprise servers, directories, and project-based data. The service supports standard protocols and includes a host-based firewall that locks down access to data and content housed in the Merit Cloud Storage.

If you have any questions, please contact the Merit at [email protected] or call 734-527-5785.

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

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