Revolutionary Tape Software the Result of Imation Corp. Strategic Alliance

Oakdale, Minn. (Oct. 24, 1996) -- A software product resulting from a strategic alliance between Imation Corp. (NYSE: IMN) -- the new information and imaging company recently spun-off by 3M -- and PGSoft, Inc., is now being bundled with selected Travan minicartridge drives from two leading manufacturers -- Pertec Memories, Inc. (Los Gatos, Calif), and Seagate Technology, Inc. (Scotts Valley, Calif.).

The software, called "Tape-it," allows desktop users to store and access data on tape cartridges in ways similar to hard disks or floppy disks, taking advantage of tape's low cost-per-megabyte. With it, users can create a hard disk backup by simply "dragging and dropping," and open and save files to tape from any Windows 95 or Windows 3.1 application.

Pertec Memories, Inc., has been shipping Tape-it software with its MyTape 1600 Multimedia Tape Backup Drive, which can store up to 1.6 GB of compressed data on a Travan TR-2 minicartridge.

Seagate has announced that it is bundling Tape-it software with its external TapeStor 800 and external TapeStor 3200 tape drives, which can store up to 800 MB on a Travan TR-1 minicartridge, or 3.2 GB of compressed data on a Travan TR-3 minicartridge, respectively.

"The widening availability of Tape-it extends the standardization of Travan technology as the key tool for backup while giving users the power to take the technology beyond a simple data backup solution," said Ray Meifert, director, PC Markets Segment, Imation. "Tape-it takes Travan minicartridge technology many steps further by enabling users to organize and manage large files, or download data directly from the Internet or commercial online services without cluttering one's hard disk space."

"A 1995 survey conducted on behalf of 3M Data Storage Products (now part of Imation) indicated that one out of five online users surveyed had run out of hard disk space while attempting to download a file from the Internet or a commercial online service, and that downloaded file sizes were increasing," Meifert added. "Today, as digital data continues to proliferate across dozens of applications, the need for powerful data storage and management tools like Tape-it is greater than ever."

Travan technology is one of Imation's key product platforms, with applications that span its customer base in data storage, printing, graphic arts and medical imaging. Imation manufactures Travan minicartridges sold under the 3M brand and licenses Travan technology to nine of the world's leading drive makers. An estimated 4.5 million Travan drives are expected to have been sold by the end of this year.

To obtain an evaluation copy of the software, users can access the Imation web site at http://www.imation.com/tape-it and follow the instructions for downloading. Complete versions of the software can be obtained directly from PGSoft by calling 1-800-549-9001.

PGSoft develops and markets Windows software utilities that allow users to more effectively manage their desktop PCs. The company's products are marketed to OEMs and end users worldwide. The company's home page address on the World Wide Web is http://www.pgsoft.com.

Imation supplies a variety of products and services worldwide for the information processing industry, specializing in imaging applications and information storage. The business units that make up Imation had 1995 revenues of $2.2 billion while part of 3M. The company employs approximately 9,700 people worldwide and is based in Oakdale, Minn. Additional information about Imation is available on the company's website at http://www.imation.com.

Copyright 1996 Imation. All rights reserved.