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US-based storage vendor, Isilon Systems, is looking to grow its channel base following the appointment of Michael Burnie as country manager.

Burnie previously helped EMC and NetApp start-up their Australian operations. He is now aiming to build up the credibility of the Isilon brand locally. The company went public last year and had been mainly focusing on North America and Europe but is now turning its attention to the Asia-Pacific.

Isilon produces clustered storage systems for the enterprise market. Its modular IQ products are built upon its OneFS software and available to customers on a "pay-as-you-grow" model.

"I have been out of the market for four years. I've done my research and spoken to people and I think we have phenomenal opportunity with Isilon," he said. "My first goal is to get around and see customers and find out if they have any issues and solve their problems."

Burnie said he would like to recruit integrators and resellers that are focused on storage to its partnership program.

"We will only be selling through the channel," he said. "I think it's important for us to establish really good partnerships and a channel network. If we do it right, there will be no need to go direct. But I don't want to add on partners unnecessarily."

Burnie said the company was initially looking at the Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Perth markets.

"Moving forward we will increase staff as we need to support our channel and customer base," he said. "I'll be very happy to be in a situation where we need to recruit staff because that is a sign that we are growing."