Data Storage Corporation a leader in cloud storage and cloud computing with over 11 years' experience in providing IaaS and SaaS solutions insuring disaster recovery, business continuity and compliance, and ABC Services, Inc. ("ABC"), a certified IBM IT solutions provider, announced the formation of a joint venture creating Aegis Technology Services.

The new company will combine ABC's industry-leading managed services expertise in IBM iSeries/AIX v7 with technical support and datacenter operations expertise from Data Storage Corporation. This combined know-how will enable mid-market firms built on IBM hardware platforms to deploy new levels of reliable and cost effective computing and high availability solutions, leveraging the cloud and the benefits of the Infrastructure-as-a-Service ("IaaS")/hosted model. According to a report recently published by the research firm IDC (Worldwide and Regional Public IT Cloud Services 2012-2016 Forecast), global spending on public IT cloud services is expected to reach the $100 billion milestone in 2016 as a result of companies starting to migrate their operations to the cloud services model. Based upon current trends, it is estimated that as much as 65% of the 60,000 SMBs currently using IBM Power Systems (iSeries/AIX) will move to a hosted services model over the next decade.

"The creation of a new managed services venture focused on serving the unique needs of organizations built on IBM hardware and software is another important milestone in the continued growth and expansion of Data Storage Corporation,"said Chuck Piluso, chairman and CEO at Data Storage Corporation. "Having successfully built a robust network of data centers incorporating best-of-breed software and hardware solutions, staffed by a talented team of dedicated technical support professionals, Data Storage has created the ideal growth platform. With our unmatched ability to custom design a client's complete IT infrastructure from data storage and protection, compliance to business continuity, we are enabling SMB customers in sectors ranging from healthcare, finance, professional services and government, to embrace the full power and flexibility of the cloud."

Thomas Kempster, president of ABC Services was quoted, "ABC Services and Data Storage Corporation have benefited from a strong relationship through the years. I look forward to a future of building infrastructures that will support the mission critical environments of our customers."

Aegis Technology Services is already in the process of establishing operations including the purchase of new IBM's Pure Systems architecture, IBM Power HA server hardware and the formation of the executive management and business development teams. As part of the joint venture agreement, Peter Briggs, Executive VP at Data Storage Corporation and founder of Safe Data, acquired by Data Storage Corporation in 2010, has been named Managing Partner. With over 20 years of experience in IBM System i(iSeries,AS/400) High Availability services gained at both Safe Data and Data Storage Corporation, Peter brings unmatched industry experience and deep relationships to the new venture.

"The opportunity ahead of us to move many IBM mid-market clients to cloud based Infrastructure-as-a-Service model is tremendous," commented Peter Briggs. "The adoption of cloud computing across the small and mid-sized business marketplace is gathering momentum as the many benefits of the platform becomes clear. With a current IBM customer count of over 400 and a tremendous technical team behind us, we are well positioned to capture a significant piece of this emerging market."