Sphere 3D : Introduces Elite and ElitePro Virtualization Certification Program for Partners

SAN JOSE, Calif. - June 22, 2016 - Sphere 3D Corp. (NASDAQ: ANY), a containerization, virtualization and data management solutions provider and parent company of Overland Storage and Tandberg Data, today announced availability of the Elite and ElitePro certification and partner programs to empower channel partners to sell the company's desktop and application virtualization solutions. The new tiers added to the company's FastTrack channel partner program provide reseller partners the essential tools necessary for successful sales, marketing and implementation initiatives.

Sphere 3D's virtualization solutions, like its V3 family of virtual workspace products, require specific consultative and system architecture expertise that understands the nuances of desktop virtualization and best practices for installation across corporate enterprises, SMBs and Remote Office Branch Offices (ROBOs). The company's new certification tiers are designed to deliver the knowledge base required for a reseller to ensure they design the optimal virtual desktop and application performance within customers' IT environments.

Elite and ElitePro partners gain access to Sphere 3D's FastTrack partner program, which encompasses the entire portfolio of Sphere 3D products, including the Overland and Tandberg Data brands. The enhanced education and the experience of deploying and testing the Sphere 3D virtualization offerings like V3 and Glassware 2.0 based appliances in their own environments help Sphere 3D Elite and ElitePro partners scale their sales efforts. Highlights of the tiered program include:

• Elite Partner Program:
• • Exclusive partner promotions which include pre-designed VDI solution configurations for commonly seen use cases
  • Sales tools and training materials to educate partners on V3's differentiation within the market
  • Qualified sharing of leads derived from Sphere 3D's marketing efforts and those of our technology partners
  • Extra joint marketing development funds
  • Education and training programs with direct access to Sphere 3D's technical teams, and joint account calls
  • Discounted evaluation units, with special pricing to support solutions bundles delivery
  • Strategic quarterly business reviews

• ElitePro Partner Program - includes all Elite level benefits in aforementioned programs, plus
• • A V3 Architect Certification for team members to become an authorized implementer and architecture team member
  • Direct Level 1 technical support to customers
  • Note: additional technical pre-requisites and further training are required for this level of certification

'Our virtualization portfolio, combined with a focused certification program, is poised to help our channel partners win more business from both their existing customers as well as through new customer acquisition,' said Peter Bookman, global strategist at Sphere 3D. 'Building a virtualization practice has never been easier for resellers and service providers; our attention to detail and software tools provide a great entry point for those looking to capitalize on the future of cloud computing.'

Mr. Bookman continued, 'As the landscape of IT continues to evolve, becoming more complex and distributed, Sphere 3D is committed to simplifying the deployment and implementation of virtualization and data storage management solutions to enable complete Cloud experiences that are accessible to organizations of any size, whether 10 employees or 50,000. A large part of delivering on this simplification is to train and enable our partners with the knowledge and expertise they need to be successful.'

Additional Information

About Sphere 3D

Sphere 3D Corp. (NASDAQ: ANY) delivers industry renowned data management, and desktop and application virtualization solutions via hybrid Cloud, Cloud and on-premise implementations through its global reseller network. Sphere 3D, along with its wholly-owned subsidiaries Overland Storage and Tandberg Data, has a strong portfolio of brands including Glassware 2.0™,SnapCLOUD™, SnapScale®, SnapServer®, SnapSync ™, V3, RDX®, and NEO®. For more information, visit www.sphere3d.com. Follow us on Twitter @Sphere3D, @overlandstorage, and @tandbergdata.

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Media Contacts:
Eileen Elam
408-283-4734
media.relations@sphere3d.com

Nick Foot
BWW Communications
+44-1491-636393
Nick.foot@bwwcomms.com

Investor Contact:

Blueshirt Group
Michael Bishop
415-217-4968
mike@blueshirtgroup.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, unforeseen changes in the course of Sphere 3D's business or the business of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including, without limitation, Overland Storage and Tandberg Data; the timing of releases of any new or updated versions of our products;the performance and functionality of our products; the level of success of our collaborations and business partnerships; possible actions by customers, partners, suppliers, competitors or regulatory authorities; and other risks detailed from time to time in Sphere 3D's periodic reports contained in our Annual Information Form and other filings with Canadian securities regulators (www.sedar.com) and in prior periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov). Sphere 3D undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.