Storage user groups help storage IT pros find other users of storage hardware or software to learn from and troubleshoot with. Membership in the UK-based groups listed here usually includes events or meetups throughout the year, as well as online forums and other benefits like resource materials or discounts. Topics of discussion for these UK storage user groups include specific products in storage management, data backup, data deduplication and more.
EMC Networker user group (Visit the user group website)
The EMC Networker group recently formed for UK professionals using EMC's backup and recovery
products. Their first meeting in September covered topics like product integration, cloning with
Networker, Avamar deduplication processes and moving towards self-service backups with automated
configuration. User attendees and the Networker and Avamar engineering teams from EMC gave
presentations. EMC user group membership includes online updates and quarterly newsletters. An
exclusive, technical Networker-centric event will be held every year where EMC representatives
share updates and provide training for members. Group is sponsored by EMC.
Contact: Paul Denton
HP user group (Visit the user group website)
The UK HP user groups counts more than 2,000 members and offers events, an online technical
journal, a help-line, software library and hobbyist licenses, along with discounts on purchases.
The Ping! journal includes news, tips and security bulletins. The HP user group also hosts webinars
and seminars, plus they partner with training companies to offer member discounts. Membership
starts at £195 per year for an individual and up to £995 for corporate and HP partner memberships.
The online journal and hobbyist licenses are extra.
Contact: Bracknell-based administration team, 01344 362929
IBM Tivoli user group -- Scotland (Visit the user group website)
The Scottish Tivoli user group aims to meet two or three times a year for sharing experiences and
catching up on new Tivoli developments. Meeting agendas include discussions on local case studies
and product demos.
Contact: Hugh Levey
IBM Tivoli user group – UK (Visit the user
group website)
The UK Tivoli user group is an independent group that meets several times a year and focuses on
storage, configuration and applications and performance and availability. This storage user group
charges a £500 company membership fee per year.
Contact: Angus Jamieson, Linda at 01189 784148 or tivoliusergroup@lscs.uk.com
Netapp user group (Visit the user group
website)
The NetApp storage user group welcomes IT managers, architects and technicians for knowledge
sharing and events around all aspects of NetApp's products, including storage systems, automation
and management software, and data management. The NetApp user group committee plans meeting agendas
around current trends, using NetApp customer and expert input.
The group's meetings are often attended by a NetApp services and support director. Discussions focus on solutions and ideas. Members can also get discounted web-based NetApp university training courses. The group is an independent organization, with membership annual fees of £500. That covers one company with up to three members attending meetings. Local government and university memberships are £299.
Contact: Linda at 01189 784148 or netappusergroup@lscs.uk.com
Email Alerts
This was first published in January 2011
