New York, N.Y. (June 18, 1996) -- A free version of a new minicartridge software product resulting from a strategic alliance announced last year between 3M and PGSoft, Inc., is now available to users via the Internet, 3M announced today.

3M is offering copies of the product, called "Tape-it Lite," to users without charge. Tape-it Lite is a subset of the complete, full-feature product "Tape-it for Windows 3.1." Users can download the sample version of the software, designed for use with Windows 3.1, by visiting the web site of Imation Corp., the new imaging and information company to be launched by 3M on July 1.

To obtain the software, users can access the Imation web site's Tape-it section and follow the instructions for downloading. Designed to be compatible with 3M's Travan minicartridges, "Tape-it Lite" includes the basic features of Tape-it for Windows 3.1.

Tape-it for Windows 3.1, the complete version of the software, can be obtained directly from PGSoft for $59 by calling 1-800-549-9001. Users who obtain Tape-it Lite from the Imation web site and register their copy will be able to purchase Tape-it for Windows 3.1 for $49. PGSoft provides English-language support for Tape-it Lite, and instructions for accessing the support are included with the software.

"Tape has been and continues to be the media of choice for backup/restore applications on the desktop," said Ray Meifert, PC Segment Team Leader, 3M Data Storage Products, St. Paul, Minn. "Now, Tape-it takes Travan minicartridge technology many steps further by enabling users to transport large files, or download data directly from the Internet or commercial online services without cluttering one's hard disk space."

With Tape-it for Windows 3.1, users can also create a hard disk backup by simply "dragging and dropping," and open and save files to tape from any Windows application, Meifert added. Tape-it for Windows 3.1 allows 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.

Tape-it, for the first time, assigns a drive letter to tape devices on a user's Windows 3.1 system. Beginning in August, the Windows 95 version of Tape-it will be available.

"With the increasing popularity of the Internet and multimedia computing, the desktop PC user needs a fast, inexpensive, reliable way to store and manage vast amounts of data," said Gary Gysin, vice president of marketing and sales, PGSoft, Inc. "Tape-it is an ideal tool for any user dealing with large files that wants to store and access these files using low-cost, high-capacity minicartridges in the same way they use floppies or a hard disk."

PGSoft, Inc. develops and markets system software extensions and applications that allow users to completely manage their desktop PCs. The company's products are marketed to OEMs, end users and developers worldwide.

3M is the world's leading supplier of branded, removable media for data storage applications. On July 1, 3M's data storage business will become part of Imation -- the new information and imaging company being spun-off from 3M. Imation, which will be an independent, publicly held company with revenues of $2.25 billion (1995 figures), will be headquartered in Oakdale, Minn.

Copyright 1996 Imation. All rights reserved.