Imation to distribute Sun StorageTek LTO Ultrium data cartridges in India through Neoteric

Imation India Pvt. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Imation Corp. (NYSE: IMN), a leading global developer and marketer of branded offerings that enable people to capture, save and use digital information today announced that it shall distribute Sun Microsystems’ StorageTek™ Linear Tape Open (LTO) Ultrium data cartridges in India through its national distributor neoteric informatique ltd. This announcement is in accordance with the global distribution agreement signed between Imation and Sun Microsystems.

According to Mr. Sandeep Popli, Head – Sales & Marketing, Imation India Pvt. Ltd., “Today's 24x7 business environment requires more data backups in a very limited period of time. Sun StorageTek’s LTO Ultrium technology is the most economical yet high performance solution for midrange tape automation. Besides, users can choose from a variety of products, Sun StorageTek delivers the performance and the capacity they need.”

“The ability to store 800 GB on one cartridge without compression (1.6 TB with compression) reduces their media and hardware investment, whilst accommodating data growth. Limited backup windows process more information in a very short time. Dynamic rate matching and dual mode compression enhance tape-drive performance and product lifetime,” adds Mr. Popli.

Sun StorageTek LTO Ultrium data cartridges provide higher capacity levels to handle more data in less time which also means that users need to buy and maintain fewer cartridges thereby reducing the overall cost. They are ideal for use in your archiving, backup and restore and disaster recovery applications. LTO Ultrium data cartridges have high data integrity and longevity so that data may be securely retained over its archived life. Backup and restore activities are accelerated because more data is processed in less time with fewer tape mounts and dismounts. This also improves the overall automation efficiency.

The cartridge memory minimizes access time to files for faster restores. A non-contract, 4 KB cartridge memory allows storage of historical usage records, indexing and high-speed data searches by the drive (8 KB for LTO Ultrium 4). Besides, Sun StorageTek LTO Ultrium data cartridges are compatible with the tape drives from all three of the manufacturers of LTO Ultrium devices. The LTO Ultrium 4 and LTO Ultrium 3 specifications include the ability for WORM (Write Once Read Many)-enabled and non-WORM-enabled drives to co-exist and provide users with a secure means of storing data to meet compliance regulations.

The LTO Ultrium 4 systems will introduce for the first time to midrange tape storage, the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256-bit algorithms to keep data secure. The hardware-based AES 256-bit encryption capability of the new Ultrium 4 format offers a higher level of security during data storage and when transporting sensitive information.

The product portfolio includes LTO Ultrium 2, 3 and LTO Ultrium 4 data cartridges besides the Cleaning cartridges and the LTO Ultrium 3 WORM as well as the LTO Ultrium 4 WORM cartridges. Sun has tested LTO Ultrium media for inter-compatibility between applicable drives and StorageTek libraries. This means high investment protection for all Sun LTO customers. Not to forget the fact that each generation of LTO Ultrium media has a different colour for easy identification. LTO Ultrium 3 WORM and LTO Ultrium 4 WORM have two toned colour.

Other features that make Sun StorageTek LTO Ultrium deliver exceptional performance and become user’s choice include highly reliable metal particle media, which improves the long-term magnetic stability of the media for archival applications; a unique dual-coating process and an improved substrate for greater durability and stability thus delivering very low error rates, even under changing environmental conditions; stable data reading and writing performance for high-density recording and archiving delivered via a PEN base film with dimensional stability; and a precise, timing-based servo technology, which means superior tracking accuracy to minimize data loss and facilitate tape performance levels.

On the national distribution arrangement with Imation, Mr. Popli elucidates, “Imation shall leverage on neoteric informatique’s pan-India reach as it has more than 36 sales & service offices, 4 hubs and warehouses in almost all states. This includes the B & C class cities which have been generating immense demand in the recent past. Besides, Neoteric provides excellent service support and exceptional supply chain management facilities that are of immense benefit to Imation.”

Neoteric has extensive reach of more than 7200 channel partner strength in more than 350 cities, which include value-added resellers (VARs), system integrators (SIs), corporate partners, retailers and other categories of channel under its fold; thereby reaching out to customers even in remote locations. Besides this, marketing and communication, vertical wise product focus, retail and online business focus are some of the value adds for Imation which differentiate neoteric informatique from others.

About Imation

Imation is a leading global developer and marketer of branded offerings that enable people to capture, save and enjoy digital information. Imation’s world-class portfolio of digital storage products, audio and video electronics, and accessories reach customers through a powerful global distribution network. The result is a company with strong commercial and consumer businesses and continued long-term growth and profitability that creates shareholder value. Imation Corp.'s global brand portfolio, in addition to the Imation brand, includes the Memorex brand, one of the most widely recognized names in the consumer electronics industry and the XtremeMac brand. Imation is also the exclusive licensee of the TDK Life on Record brand, one of the world's leading recording media brands. Additional information about Imation is available at www.imation.co.in