Benchmark Unleashes ValuSmart Brand with Industry-First Half-High DLT Tape Drive

ValuSmart Tape 80 Extends DLT Standard

Benchmark Storage Innovations, Inc., the source for unique storage innovations that manage and protect customer data, today announced the next phase in the company's evolution as a leading developer and innovator of storage solutions. In conjunction with the launch of a new brand called "ValuSmart TapeÔ", Benchmark announced OEM deliveries of its ValuSmart Tape 80, the industry's first half-high DLT tape drive. The ValuSmart Tape 80 is the newest member of its ValuSmart Tape family, which includes Benchmark's current DLT1 tape drive.

The ValuSmart Tape 80 half-high drive further establishes the industry-leading reliability, capacity, and performance found in the widely available DLT1 drive. Its groundbreaking compact design features 80 GB compressed capacity and 6 MB/second compressed transfer rate. The ValuSmart Tape 80 is read-compatible with the DLT1, DLT4000, and utilizes DLTtape TM IV media. Quantum's Super DLTtape will back read data written on the ValuSmart Tape 80, extending DLT scalability throughout the entire enterprise.

"The formation of the ValuSmart Tape family is an important step in Benchmark's storage solution approach," said Lew Frauenfelder, CEO and president of Benchmark. "The half high ValuSmart Tape 80 leverages the reliability of DLT technology with additional value-oriented components, such as scalability. It's an essential element to the escalating requirements dictated by the growing data explosion."

The trend in the industry toward slim servers and higher capacity hard drives makes the ValuSmart Tape 80 a true necessity in Dell's DLT PowerVault family of products," said Damian Cook, general manager of storage platforms, Dell Storage Systems Group. "ValuSmart Tape is a natural extension of the DLT standard with scalability that provides customers with a robust and dependable solution for all their data storage -- from Benchmark's ValuSmart Tape line through Quantum's Super DLTtape technology."

"HP looks forward to leading the effort to deliver a spectrum of products that meet the changing needs of customers," said Gil Merme, general manager, Hewlett-Packard Company Network Storage Solutions Organization, marketing operations. "Benchmark's half-high ValuSmart Tape 80 allows HP to fulfill the needs of customers seeking linear reliability at an entry-level price."

The Benchmark ValuSmart Tape 80 will be available through Benchmark's OEM partners, its Web site and e-tail channel in early summer. Benchmark's e-tail partners are CDW, Insight, MicroWarehouse and PC Connection. The full-height DLT1 product will continue to be available from Benchmark, and its OEM and e-tail partners.

"Companies that focus on the ‘three p's' of price, performance, and packaging will continue to prevail in the tape market," said Fara Yale, chief analyst, Computer Storage Service, Gartner Dataquest. "Eventually any company eager to address the value tape segment must continue to deliver on these values."

"Benchmark's ValuSmart Tape 80 is a compelling alternative to prevailing tape drive technologies" said Bob Amatruda, research manager at IDC "ValuSmart Tape 80 offers the capacity of DLT at a much lower priced entry point."

ValuSmart Tape Family

Benchmark ValuSmart Tape 80
The ValuSmart Tape 80 features DLT technology's first half-high, 5.25-inch form factor and offers 80 GB of compressed capacity and a 6 MB/second compressed transfer rate. Now storage servers or workstations can be backed up on one single tape cartridge housed in the server itself. Its soft unload capability was designed specifically for automation. Along with leading price/performance metrics, the ValuSmart Tape 80 offers organizations a clear migration path because it is read-compatible with the DLT1, DLT4000, and utilizes DLTtape TM IV media.

About Benchmark
Founded in May 1998, Benchmark Storage Innovations, Inc. is dedicated to developing tape and storage solutions that feature new levels of scalability in industry-standard DLT technology. Enhancing a proven design, Benchmark's products deliver exceptional reliability and winning price/performance. Benchmark markets its products and services through multiple channels and strategic partners worldwide, including OEMs like Dell Computer Corp. and Hewlett-Packard Company. Benchmark offers innovative products and services by delivering proven storage management solutions in the e-business marketplace.

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