Crystal Group Partners with Brocade to Bring Ruggedized Networking Solutions to Demanding Environments

Hiawatha, Iowa, USA – Crystal Group Inc., a trusted manufacturing partner of rugged commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) custom-developed computers, displays, switches, and storage devices, announced today that it is partnering with Brocade to create a ruggedized computer networking portfolio designed for the unique and stringent requirements of demanding environments.

The agreement between the two companies will allow Crystal Group to develop and sell Brocade-powered networking solutions specially optimized for harsh settings such as those found in the military, oil & gas, mining, rail, power distribution, and communications industries worldwide.

“Brocade is known for their innovations in the networking market, and this partnership allows us to offer our customers the latest networking technology in a rugged format,” said Scott Kongable, President of Crystal Group. “Through our collaboration with Brocade, we can expand our unique networking solutions as the need in rugged markets continues to grow.”

“Large enterprises, federal agencies, research institutions and cloud service providers already rely on Brocade to help them build agile, scalable and more secure networks for the New IP,” said Siva Valliappan, Vice President of Campus Product Management at Brocade.  “Leveraging the combined capabilities of Brocade and Crystal Group, customers that require rugged versions of our networking solutions will be able to realize the benefits of efficient and robust networks.”

About Brocade

Brocade (NASDAQ: BRCD) networking solutions help the world’s leading organizations transition smoothly to a world where applications and information reside anywhere. (www.brocade.com)

Brocade is a registered trademark of Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.

About Crystal Group Inc.

Crystal Group Inc., an employee-owned small business located in Hiawatha, Iowa, USA, is a technology innovation leader specializing in both custom and COTS products for defense, government and industrial markets since 1987.  Crystal Group designs and manufactures installation-ready rugged servers, displays, networking devices, embedded systems, power supplies and storage devices that fit critical applications in demanding environmental conditions.

The company is certified to quality management standards AS9100C:2009 and ISO 9001:2008.  Crystal Group products meet and exceed MIL-STDs 810, 167-1, 461, MIL-S-901, IEEE and IEC industrial standards.  Additionally, the company offers integration services, configuration management, product life-cycle planning and 5+ year warranties.

To learn more visit www.crystalrugged.com and follow on Facebook and Twitter@CrystalGroup.