SONY ADVANCES SMALL BUSINESS STORAGE INITIATIVE WITH AIT DESKTOP AUTOLOADERS
Automated Backup Solutions Store up to 2 TB in a Compact Desktop Design
ANAHEIM, Calif. (SWC, Sony Booth #501), May 6, 2003 - Sony Electronics is helping small businesses automate their backup processes with a family of convenient Advanced Intelligent Tape ™ (AIT) desktop autoloaders. The sleek StorStation ™ autoloaders are the latest in a line of small business storage solutions intended to make regular backup a reality in small offices and corporate departments.
One AIT-1, AIT-2 or AIT-3 drive and eight tape cartridge slots are housed in the new solution (model LIB-D81) to store more than a week's worth of high-capacity backup without daily manual tape changes. The tapes can be easily loaded and unloaded through the front door, and collectively feature native capacities from 280 to 800 GB.
At just eight inches high, the autoloader is only slightly larger than a standalone drive, allowing for simple placement on a desktop or atop a server. It incorporates a user-friendly front panel with a message display and diagnostic lights to make backup easy even for those without IT training.
"Sony's AIT desktop autoloader removes the intimidation from backup for small offices, which are at grave risk of losing data without a solid process and solution in place," said Steve Baker, vice president for tape storage solutions at Sony Electronics' Business Systems and Solutions Company. "By selecting an eight-day automated solution, such as the Sony LIB-D81, small business users can benefit from fewer tape changes, reduced errors and space efficiency."
"Sony is addressing data-protection needs of small businesses with a cost-effective group of AIT tape autoloaders," said Robert Amatruda, research manager at International Data Corporation (IDC). "AIT autoloaders offer small business users a strong value proposition."
To support the transition from DDS to AIT, Sony's LIB-D81 autoloader includes a complimentary copy of NovaStor Corporation's TapeCopy v2.0 Library Edition tape conversion and duplication software, which enables users to transfer data from any other tape format to AIT. The solution is certified with most of the popular backup software applications for seamless use.
For easy placement, the new autoloader is very compact, at eight inches high, six inches wide and 13 inches long. It can be simply connected to a server or desktop through an Ultra SCSI port.
Like all Sony AIT autoloaders, the new desktop models have backward read/write compatibility with all previous generations of AIT cartridges.
Specifications for Sony Desktop AIT Autoloader
LIB-D81/A1 - Incorporates one AIT-1 drive and eight cartridge slots. Native capacity of up to 280 GB (728 GB compressed) and native transfer rate of up to 4 MB/second native (10 MB/sec compressed).
LIB-D81/ A2 - Incorporates one AIT-2 drive and eight cartridge slots. Native capacity of 400 GB (1 TB compressed) and native transfer rate of 6 MB/second native (15 MB/sec compressed).
LIB-D81/ A3 - Incorporates one AIT-3 drive and eight cartridge slots. Native capacity of 800 GB (2 TB compressed) and native transfer rate of 12 MB/second.
Orders for the Sony LIB-D81 autoloaders can be placed beginning this month. They can be configured with an AIT-1, AIT-2 or AIT-3 drive, with estimated street prices of $2,900, $3,500 and $5,600, respectively. The new backup systems will be available through commercial distributors, value-added resellers (VARs) and system integrators. Sony currently offers a three-year limited warranty and optional onsite service support and enhancement programs with all of its branded storage solutions.
Based in San Jose, Calif., the Storage Solutions Division of Sony Electronics' Business Solutions and Systems Company markets storage solutions through OEM, commercial and industrial distributors, retailers and resellers. For additional information about Sony storage products visit www.sony.com/news or www.storagebysony.com.
