SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- NetApp (NASDAQ: NTAP) and Verizon Enterprise Solutions today announced a collaboration to re-architect traditional cloud-based storage models to deliver NetApp Data ONTAP as a virtual storage appliance (VSA) for Verizon Cloud clients. The software will deliver on the promise of software-defined storage, adding additional deployment and management flexibility for clients implementing Verizon Cloud Compute and Verizon Cloud Storage.

Data ONTAP becomes part of a software-defined infrastructure management layer that adds NetApp enterprise-grade efficiency, data protection and availability on top of Verizon’s high-performance cloud infrastructure. Integrated features will also provide seamless data management across multiple clouds based on Data ONTAP, which abstracts physical storage into a set of Storage Virtual Machines and delivers IT services to application owners while improving operational and IT resource efficiency. Together, NetApp and Verizon are simplifying and enabling more efficient management of data and workloads as enterprises implement hybrid cloud models.

Businesses are embracing new technologies and service delivery models that make information technology more efficient and valuable. Verizon’s focus is to bring the full power and functionality of enterprise-class technology to the cloud. When delivered with Data ONTAP as a VSA, the new Verizon Cloud offers a rich set of enterprise capabilities to new clients and sets the standard for storage appliances delivered as virtual functions through the cloud.

NetApp Inc. (Nasdaq: NTAP)

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ)