Vision Solutions has announced that Microsoft Corp. veteran Robert J. Herbold has joined its board of directors.

Herbold, a top Microsoft executive and author of several business books, is managing director of the Herbold Group, LLC, a business consulting organization. He retired as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Microsoft Corp. after joining the firm in 1994. As chief operating officer for nearly seven years, Herbold was responsible for finance, manufacturing and distribution, information systems, human resources, corporate marketing, market research, and public relations. During his tenure, Microsoft experienced a four fold-increase in revenue and a seven-fold increase in profits.

"Bob is a widely respected executive and his broad experience and relationships with high-profile companies will add great insight to our team," said Nicolaas Vlok, president and CEO of Vision. "We are very excited to have attracted a board member of his caliber. With his wealth of operational expertise, he will prove invaluable as we enter our next phase of growth and address new challenges."

Herbold also worked for Microsoft as executive vice president in the areas of government, industry, and customers.

"I welcome Bob and look forward to working with such an exceptional industry leader," said Marcel Bernard, Vision board chairman and operating partner of Thoma Cressey Bravo. "He brings a new dimension to our team and to Vision Solutions as a whole."

Prior to joining Microsoft, Herbold spent 26 years at the Procter & Gamble Co. During his last five years with the firm, he served as senior vice president of advertising and information services where he was responsible for the company's worldwide advertising/brand management operations as well as all marketing-related services such as media and television program production. He also was responsible for management information systems and market research on a worldwide basis.

The Herbold Group is a consulting business focused on strategy and profitability issues, with deep expertise in operations and marketing. Herbold is a recognized expert on business operations and has served on the boards of several major corporations. He was appointed by President Bush to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Herbold, who is credited with bringing a sense of discipline to a young Microsoft Corp., is also the author of several business books including, "The Fiefdom Syndrome: The Turf Battles That Undermine Careers and Companies-And How to Overcome Them," published by Doubleday in 2004, and "Seduced by Success: How the Best Companies Survive the 9 Traps of Winning" published by McGraw-Hill in March 2007.

Said Herbold of his new appointment: "Vision Solutions is an incredibly dynamic organization, and I'm excited to join such a remarkable leadership team. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to working with this exceptional group of talented people and contributing to Vision Solutions' success."

Vision Solutions, Inc. is the world’s leading provider of information availability software and services for Windows, Linux, IBM Power Systems and Cloud Computing markets. Vision’s trusted MIMIX® and iTERA™ high availability and disaster recovery brands support business continuity, satisfy compliance requirements and increase productivity. Affordable and easy-to-use, Vision products are backed by certified worldwide 24X7 customer support centers and a global partner network that includes IBM (NYSE:IBM), HP (NYSE:HPQ), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), VMware (NYSE:VMW) and Dell (NASDAQ:DELL). Privately held by Thoma Bravo, Vision Solutions is headquartered in Irvine, California, USA with offices worldwide. For more information, visit visionsolutions.com, search for VSIChannel on popular social networks or call 1 800.957.4511 (toll-free U.S. and Canada) or 801.799.0300.