New agreement helps reduce the cost and complexity of migration for customers moving to the new IBM z10 Mainframe as support for mature ESCON technologies on the host is phased out.

Dorking, Surrey, – September 8th, 2008 – Data-Shield Ltd, a leading provider of maintenance, support and migration services with a focus on legacy and specialist equipment has announced an agreement with Optica Technologies to help major IBM mainframe customers in the UK protect investments in ESCON technologies as part of System z consolidation and upgrade initiatives.

Data-Shield will deliver Optica’s innovative Prizm technology to facilitate multi-channel FICON to ESCON (and Bus/Tag) conversion on S/390 and System z mainframes. Optica’s Prizm is an important strategic component for customers making IBM System z investments. Prizm enables customers to leverage the full value of FICON on System z to simplify the infrastructure without impacting access to mature applications supported by mature ESCON devices.

“We currently work with a number of large enterprise customers who have extensive investments in infrastructure built around ESCON peripherals, which they either need to keep in place or migrate carefully,” comments Cliff Hutchings, Technical Director for Data-Shield, “As support for ESCON is phased out, Optica’s market timing with this product is perfect and together with Data-Shield’s many years of expertise in mainframe networking, our partnership is a natural fit. We look forward to providing a valuable service to a number of large IBM mainframe customers across the UK.”

Data-Shield offers a range of FICON migration services to help customers manage the process effectively while avoiding the disruption and cost of upgrading the entire infrastructure to FICON. “ESCON peripherals will not go away over night; customers have simply invested too much in applications, printing pools and communication networks,” comments Hutchings, “and through our expertise and new partnership with Optica – we are able to deliver a realistic and highly cost effective migration strategy to these organisations.” Alongside migration, Data-Shield offers a range of optical testing services, tape encryption and device extension solutions for customers with FICON, ESCON and Bus/Tag requirements.

“Data-Shield enjoys a great reputation for technical excellence and customer service. They have built a set of high-quality relationships with mainframe customers in the UK,” said Michael Dailey VP of Worldwide Sales for Optica. “Our partnership with Data Shield will help us deliver better value to IBM mainframe customers across the region and ensure that our technologies are implemented in the correct way to deliver the most value.”

Optica Technologies, a privately held corporation, is headquartered in Louisville, Colorado with sales and marketing offices in Ohio, Minnesota, Texas, New York and London. The company has been developing, producing and marketing high-quality computer connectivity and security solutions since 1967 and is a recognized leader in the mainframe market.