AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwire - Feb 21, 2012) - Crossroads Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: [ CRDS ]), a global provider of data protection solutions and services, and Fujitsu Frontech North America, Inc. (FFNA), a leading provider of IT-based business solutions, formed a strategic alliance for FFNA to sell a branded Fujitsu-Crossroads StrongBox® tier-3 data vault.

Fujitsu and its extensive worldwide channel now offer "StrongBox powered by Fujitsu" within their NuVola Private Cloud Platform^™ solution. StrongBox is a tier-3 data storage solution that provides online, all-the-time random file access that reduces costs by up to 90 percent. It stands as the industry's most cost-effective answer to ever-growing data storage requirements. The NuVola Private Cloud Platform is Fujitsu's appliance-based solution built with class-leading Fujitsu storage and server products, and paired with advanced software tools and utilities that transform business critical processes by leveraging private cloud computing power, security and scalability.

StrongBox powered by Fujitsu will also provide organizations the first enterprise-level private cloud solution that leverages Linear Tape File System (LTFS) technology, combining the unparalleled scalability of tape with the speed and accessibility of disk.

"The StrongBox powered by Fujitsu appliance breaks new ground in the category of tier-3 data storage by providing class-leading performance, administration and management that utilizes LTFS," said Vic Herring, vice president of sales and marketing at FFNA. "StrongBox offers immediate ROI for organizations whose tier-3 storage strategy must meet high-performance requirements, be agile enough to seamlessly scale, all while being deployed on our NuVola Private Cloud Platform."

"Crossroads is extremely pleased to announce its strategic alliance with Fujitsu, one of the world's top IT companies," said Rob Sims, president and CEO of Crossroads Systems. "With an organization the size of Fujitsu offering and utilizing StrongBox, it underscores the solution's unique capabilities and the impact it can have within the industry. By integrating StrongBox within Fujitsu's portfolio, we significantly expand the possibilities of how tier-3 data is managed using the LTFS standard, all while reducing cost and increasing the reliability of data vaults."

About StrongBox
StrongBox is a tier-3 data storage solution that makes tape as easy to access as disk, while keeping archives accessible and reducing costs by up to 90 percent. StrongBox stands as the first enterprise-level solution to leverage Linear Tape File System (LTFS) technology, combining the unparalleled scalability of tape with the speed and accessibility of disk. StrongBox is the industry's most cost-effective answer to ever-growing data storage requirements, seamlessly scaling for today, while future-proofing for tomorrow through a non-proprietary, file-based and fully portable storage system.

StrongBox presents itself as a standard NAS target with the ability to mount CIFS/NFS shares. No agents, backup software or application modifications are required, and organizations gain a persistent view of all files on tapes stored in the library. StrongBox currently supports both HP and IBM LTO-5 tape drives and libraries. LTO drives and libraries from other manufacturers are currently being qualified. Visit [ www.crossroads.com/products/strongbox ].

About Fujitsu Frontech North America Inc.
Fujitsu Frontech North America Inc. brings innovative technology from Japan and, with its partners, develops powerful front-end solutions that shape how society interacts with big data. Fujitsu Frontech North America Inc. is headquartered with operations and solution development at 27121 Towne Centre Drive, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610. For more information about Fujitsu products and services, call 800-626-4686 or visit: [ www.fujitsufrontechna.com ].

About Crossroads Systems
Crossroads Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: [ CRDS ]) is a global provider of data protection solutions and services. Crossroads offers organizations proactive data security, intelligent storage connectivity, high performance, and significant cost savings. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Crossroads holds more than 100 patents granted and pending and has been honored with numerous industry awards for innovation in data protection and storage. Visit [ www.crossroads.com ].

Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements that relate to the business and future events or future performance of Crossroads Systems, Inc. and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause its actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Words such as, but not limited to, "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "targets," "likely," "will," "would," "could," and similar expressions or phrases identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about Crossroads Systems' ability to implement its business strategy, including the transition from a hardware storage company to a software solutions and services provider, its ability to expand its distribution channels, its ability to maintain or broaden relationships with existing distribution channels and strategic alliances and develop new industry relationships, the performance of third parties in its distribution channels and of its strategic alliances, uncertainties relating to product development and commercialization, the ability to obtain, maintain or protect patent and other proprietary intellectual property rights, technological change in its industry, market acceptance of its products and services, future capital requirements, regulatory actions or delays, competition in general and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those described herein. Forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management's beliefs and opinions at the time the statements are made. Crossroads Systems does not intend, and undertakes no duty, to update this information to reflect future events or circumstances.

©2012 Crossroads Systems, Inc. Crossroads and Crossroads Systems are registered trademarks of Crossroads Systems, Inc. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All specifications are subject to change without notice.