LAS VEGAS,NV,APRIL 7,2003 – Z--force,Inc.,the inventor of the “file switch,” today
announced a reseller relationship with Rorke Data,a subsidiary of San Jose-based Bell Microproducts,Inc.(Nasdaq:BELM),and a leader in SAN,RAID and Archive storage solutions for the digital post-production,broadcast,prepress and medical imaging industries. As a Z-force “Platinum Reseller Partner,”Rorke Data plans to utilize the Z-force file switch to build specialized,scalable,high-performance and cost-effective NAS Array solutions for the rich content,imaging and broadcast markets.The two companies believe that the digital content marketplace is clamoring for a content storage and delivery solution that can improve profitability while consolidating storage assets in an easy-to-manage file-based infrastructure. As a result of the announced reseller relationship,customers of Rorke Data can now access an ideal solution for their NAS-based storage needs.

“For certain storage environments,NAS is the incumbent technology,” said Joe Rorke,,vice president of marketing,Rorke Data.“Many customers either have isolated islands of existing NAS,or are looking for better overall performance from their existing NAS infrastructure. Z-force enables our customers to unleash the potential of their NAS products,creating a unified, high-speed,aggregated storage environment.Our agreement with Z-force will enable us to even better serve these customers,making NAS an ongoing infrastructure option.”“Rorke Data is the leading reseller for one of our largest potential vertical markets,the creators and distributors of data-intensive,digital content,” said Duke Lambert,,vice president of sales,Z-force,Inc.“Their role as a Z-force partner will help us accelerate our momentum, evangelizing the move from proprietary,big-box NAS solutions to scalable,low-cost, high-performance NAS Arrays.”

As a Z-force Platinum Reseller Partner,Rorke Data will build and market NAS Arrays using Z-force file switches and industry-standard NAS devices and provide technical channel training and post-sales support.Rorke Data joins Rackable Systems 1 as one of Z-force ’s first resellers. Z-force is currently engaging with a number of resellers who build solutions targeting key vertical markets.The reseller program includes two certification levels: Platinum Reseller Partner:Resellers who build and market NAS Arrays,train staff and their channel,carry inventory and provide post sales support ll :Rese er Partner Resellers who help Z-force to identify sales opportunities and manage the sales process Companies interested in joining the Z-force reseller program should inquire via email to: sales@z-force.com

About Z-force
Z-force,Inc.’s new "file switch"technology is revolutionizing network attached storage (NAS) by bringing incrementally scalable performance,capacity and manageability at dramatically reduced price points to NAS.Z-force was founded in 1999 and has offices in Laguna Hills,Calif. and Santa Clara,Calif.For more information,visit:www.z-force.com .

About Rorke Data
Rorke Data is a full digital storage solutions provider with expertise in Fibre-Channel RAID,SAN, DVD,tape and optical libraries,Unix,NT and Mac environments,high bandwidth networks,digital asset and document management,and engineering and maintenance services.Founded in 1985, Rorke Data,together with its European subsidiary,Rorke Data Europe,located in Emmen,The Netherlands,is composed of six divisions:Medical Archive Applications,Audio/Video,Prepress, Imaging,Document Management,Engineering and Installation Services.More information aboutRorke Data can be found at www.rorke.com.Rorke Data is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bell Microproducts,Inc.(Nasdaq:BELM).

See related press release from Z-force,Inc.issued today (www.z-force.com).

For more information, contact: Rorke Data, Inc., 7626 Golden Triangle Drive, Eden Prairie, MN
55344; 800/328-8147 or 952/829-0300; fax: 952/829-0988; website: www.rorke.com.

Back to New Releases