Imation Corp. Announces First In A Family Of Automated Tape Library Systems

Imation Corp. Announces First In A Family Of Automated Tape Library Systems

Imation's ITL 2225 for DDS-2 Media To Be Available April 1

OAKDALE, Minn. (March 13, 1997) -- Imation Corp. (NYSE:IMN), the imaging and information company recently spun off from 3M, today announced the first model in a family of automated tape backup systems. The initial offering, the Imation ITL 2225, provides PC servers supporting from 30 to 100 clients the ability to automatically back up, archive and restore data on DDS-2 data tapes.

To be available April 1, the ITL 2225 initiates a line of Imation library storage devices to be unveiled over the next five months that will integrate Travan, MLR and DDS-3 drive technologies. The designator "ITL" stands for Imation Tape Library and will be used in the names of future products. The ITL 2225 has a suggested list price of US$8,495 and will be available with an optional barcode reader.

The Imation ITL 2225 contains robotics developed by Storage Technology Corp. (NYSE: STK) and includes a 60-day trial package of the market-leading ARCserve and InocuLAN family of backup and antivirus solutions from the Cheyenne division of Computer Associates International, Inc. A dual drive system, utilizing the latest quad-speed DDS-2 drives, enables compressed system transfer rates of more than 3 MB per second and storage capacities of 200 GB (compressed) and system redundancy.

"The Imation family of library storage systems is a natural extension to Imation's line of data storage and imaging products," said Michael Sheridan, vice president, operations, Imation. "By introducing a family of tape libraries, we will provide our customers with a range of options to match their needs, their budgets, and the data storage solution they prefer. This is another illustration of Imation's ability to deliver solutions tailored to our customers' needs."

The Imation ITL 2225 is equipped with a unique lightweight, removable carousel that holds 25 4mm DDS cartridges for backing up data in UNIX, NT and Netware environments. The unit requires no special alignment or calibration and comes with a host of self-diagnostic tools for monitoring performance. Multiple users have the ability to send backup data simultaneously to the data library system without slowing performance, and the removable carousel allows for offsite storage for added data security.

"Cheyenne and Imation are a natural fit to bring total backup solutions to the PC server market," said Wendy Petty, director of North American OEM relations, Cheyenne division of Computer Associates. "Combined, Imation's expertise in imaging and information storage and Cheyenne's leadership in storage management and antivirus software has resulted in a powerful, reliable data protection solution for server customers."

The Imation ITL tape library system allows network administrators to schedule unattended backups at various times to reduce local area and wide-area network loads while increasing storage efficiencies. Its random access capability allows users to retrieve data at much higher access rates than traditional tape backup devices.

With an easy setup procedure and little required maintenance, the ITL 2225 includes an installation guide and an instructional video. It is fully supported by Imation's global customer service team, which has a presence in more than 60 countries and offers users 24-hour support for Imation hardware, software and media.