Overland Storage and Sphere 3D Partnering

Delivering functionality of hardware, OSs, and applications via cloud to any device
Overland Storage, Inc. in partnership with Sphere 3D Corporation, developer of Glassware 2.0 technology, developed an integrated solution that delivers the functionality of hardware, OSs, and applications via the cloud to any device.

The combination of Overland's storage solutions, including its SnapScale, and Glassware 2.0 virtualization solution, will enable mobile device users the functionality of any software program or application on any device, anywhere, eliminating the application limitations, data management and security problems for enterprises created by the BYOD phenomenon.

Mobile users that need productivity applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and collaborations, specialized software for CAD, magnetic resonance imaging, software development, video production or customized legacy applications can now experience full application functionality via the cloud.

Business users cannot truly be productive while on the go without access to the full functionality of the business programs they utilize every day. Additionally, security issues arise for enterprises when data is downloaded to an unsecure personal mobile device, or transferred to cloud solutions out of the enterprise's control, each of which presents critical concerns around the ever-growing BYOD phenomenon. When utilizing the Overland Storage cloud or appliance coupled with Glassware 2.0 technology, mobile business users will be able to access the applications they want, along with the corporate data they need, without any data ever leaving the security of the enterprise.

"BYOD has achieved broad acceptance with 89% of organizations allowing their employees to use their own mobile devices for work purposes, and in just six countries (U.S., U.K., Germany, China, India and Brazil) the number of BYOD devices is expected to double to 405 million by 2016 from 198 million in 2013," said Eric Kelly, president and CEO, Overland. "This Sphere 3D partnership has been a part of Overland's strategy for over a year and is key to delivering on our vision of providing a global distributed enterprise architecture that would give us access to one of the fastest growing markets."

"We are excited to combine our virtualization technology solution with Overland's storage expertise and to expand our offering beyond the consumer to address the substantial enterprise opportunity," said Peter Tassiopoulos, CEO, Sphere 3D. "Overland has been an innovator in storage for more than 30 years, and this partnership gives us access to their robust channel of thousands of resellers in 60 different countries and an installed base of more than 450 thousand."

As part of this strategic partnership, Overland and Sphere 3D have entered into a supplier agreement whereby Sphere 3D will procure its cloud infrastructure solutions from Overland, as well as a technology agreement which grants Overland the licensing rights for the enterprise market.

In addition, Overland will assume an equity stake in Sphere 3D and Kelly will join the Sphere 3D board as its chairman.