Hitachi Data Systems to Showcase Latest Application Optimization Softw

    Business Editors/High-Tech Editors
    Storage Networking World Spring 2005

    SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 2005--

    Company to Take Center Stage with Press Dinner, Demo of Latest
    Advancements in Storage Virtualization and Executives Delivering
    Perspectives on Storage Industry

    Hitachi Data Systems Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT), today announced the introduction of several initiatives centered around its Application Optimized Storage(TM) solutions at Storage Networking World (SNW) Spring 2005 in Phoenix, Arizona from April 12-15, 2005 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort.
    Hitachi Data Systems is committed to the development and support of Application Optimized Storage, an integrated hardware, software, and services solution framework. Solutions based on this framework enable organizations to further optimize their storage infrastructures based on the requirements of their business applications; more closely aligning their business and IT objectives. At this year's SNW conference the company plans to announce significant news and discuss updates to its Application Optimized Storage strategy including several enhancements to its Hitachi HiCommand(R) software suite.
    In addition, the company is hosting an exclusive media dinner on Wednesday, April 13th, at 7:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time, which will include Hitachi Data Systems and Sun Microsystems executives along with analysts from the Enterprise Strategy Group. To participate, accredited members of the media should contact qdaly@blancandotus.com.
    Hitachi Data Systems will also demonstrate the industry's latest storage virtualization capabilities in the SNW Interoperability Lab. The demonstration will showcase virtualization advancements in data management and security environments. Hitachi Data Systems will also be participating in the SMI-S scripted demos both as a client (using HiCommand Storage Services Manager) and a provider (using HiCommand Device Manager); supplying storage infrastructure support to other theme areas; demonstrating SAN segmentation and interoperability using SAN "islands"; and providing subject matter experts to the virtualization hands-on lab.
    "The Hitachi TagmaStore(TM) Universal Storage Platform makes possible, for the first time, large-scale virtualization across heterogeneous storage, including systems from EMC and IBM. We're extremely excited to show how customers can leverage these virtualization capabilities to more efficiently and cost-effectively manage their data at this spring's Storage Networking World. The demonstrations underscore Hitachi Data Systems' strategy of moving toward the development of interoperable solutions for both hardware and software to operate peacefully within enterprise infrastructures," said Pierre Raymond, director, software product design, Hitachi Data Systems. "The SNW events provide us with an unmatched opportunity to demonstrate these solutions to IT managers, storage architects, and infrastructure professionals, which re-enforces our commitment to providing a global enterprise-wide storage solution."
    Two Hitachi Data Systems executives are also speaking at the conference. Hitachi Data Systems' participating executives are as follows:

-- Hu Yoshida, CTO IT Storage Management: Application Optimized Storage - Bridging the Gap Between Business and IT Wednesday, April 13, 2005, 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. Location: Pinnacle Peak 2

-- Eric Hibbard, senior director, Data Networking Technology Security Tutorial Track - Storage Security I, II, & III Wednesday, April 13, 2005, 2:10 - 4:45 p.m. Location: Pinnacle Peak 1

    About Hitachi Data Systems

    Hitachi Data Systems leverages global R&D resources to develop storage solutions built on industry-leading technology with the performance, availability and scalability to maximize customers' ROI and minimize their risk. By focusing on the customer's perspective as we apply the best hardware, software, and services from Hitachi and our partners, we uniquely satisfy our customers' business needs.
    With 2,900 employees, Hitachi Data Systems conducts business through direct and indirect channels in the public, government and private sectors in over 170 countries. Its customers include more than 50 percent of Fortune 100 companies. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.hds.com.

    About Hitachi, Ltd.

    Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company, with approximately 326,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2003 (ended March 31, 2004) consolidated sales totaled 8,632.4 billion Yen ($81.4 billion). The company offers a wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors, including information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems, consumer products, materials and financial services. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.hitachi.com.

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CONTACT: Hitachi Data Systems Tony Hynes, 408-970-4836 tony.hynes@hds.com or Blanc & Otus Public Relations Quinn Daly, 415-856-5152 qdaly@blancandotus.com

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA ARIZONA JAPAN INTERNATIONAL ASIA PACIFIC TRACK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE SOFTWARE TRADESHOW PRODUCT SOURCE: Hitachi Data Systems Corporation

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