OAKDALE, Minn. (May 2, 2001) - Imation Corp. (NYSE: IMN) today announced the availability of Imation Black Watch Ultrium tape cartridges. Designed for network data processing, backup and archive applications, the Ultrium tape system features 15 MB/sec native transfer rate, and four cartridge capacities of 20, 60, 100 and 200GB capacity (2:1 compression) that follows a migration path extending capacities into 1.6TB. The new offering is the latest in Imation's expanding line of network and data center format tape cartridges and services that includes Imation Travan, SLR, Black Watch DLTtape, 3590E, 9840, and 9940 cartridges, and a portfolio of professional storage consulting services. "With the emergence of more complex storage networking architectures, companies are looking for flexible storage solutions that perform well in both stand-alone and automated environments," said Fara Yale, chief analyst, Gartner Dataquest. "A robust, reliable and affordable tape format with great capacity and speed is one of the ideal solutions for supporting today's data-intensive demands." Industry supports Imation offering Based on the Linear Tape-Open (LTO) open format specification, Imation Black Watch Ultrium cartridges recently passed the independent compliance verification process for Ultrium format cartridges. Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Seagate developed the open format LTO specification by combining best-of-breed tape technology. The high capacity of the Ultrium system is enabled by advanced servo-writing technology-a factory-written pattern on tape media that keeps drive heads "on track" and allows more data tracks per tape-a technology that Imation pioneered and uses on its millions of SLR, 3590, 3590E, 9840, and 9940 tape cartridges shipped annually. "Imation brings nearly 50 years of removable media development and manufacturing expertise to the new Ultrium storage platform," said Steve Ladwig, president of Imation Data Storage and Information Management. "Imation's leadership in servo writing and precision cartridge manufacturing helps the Ultrium system achieve its groundbreaking combination of high capacity, high performance and outstanding reliability. This is the first in four generations of Ultrium tape cartridges we will develop, each designed to help customers keep pace with their ever-growing data storage needs." "Imation's entry into the Ultrium-format tape cartridge market marks another major step in the growth and adoption of LTO technology and in particular, support for Seagate's Viper? family of Ultrium-format products," said Larry McMannon, general manager of Seagate Removable Storage Solutions. "Imation's reputation in the network market and their commitment to the Ultrium format further supports the format's position of becoming the midrange tape technology of choice." Unmatched cartridge reliability In response to growing concerns among users about the risk associated with storing-and the potential of losing-up to 200GB (compressed) of data per tape cartridge, Imation designed Black Watch Ultrium tape cartridges with unique features and processes that increase cartridge reliability: * Imation Black Watch Ultrium tape cartridges are manufactured with a proprietary three-piece tape spool that delivers improved tape handling for better tracking and fewer errors. * A proprietary corner snap on the door corner, typically the weakest corner of the cartridge, improves cartridge strength and helps to keep the leader pin in place. * Imation conducts a three-phase performance verification on every cartridge that leaves its manufacturing site for predictable tape performance. * A built-in cartridge memory chip-inherent in all Ultrium-format tape cartridges-allows historical usage and other information to be read without inserting the cartridge into a drive. Managing effective technology transitions. To help customers effectively manage new technology investments such as the Ultrium tape system, Imation offers a range of strategic, operational and cartridge-specific services. For strategic storage architecture recommendations, the Imation Professional Services team is trained in the latest storage networking technologies. Companies merging small networks with large, traditional tape storage libraries call on Imation to consult on adopting data center best practices, such as cartridge care and handling. And to facilitate the day-to-day operations associated with managing a large tape library, Imation offers services including colored cartridges for easier application filing, secure media destruction, and data migration. Imation Black Watch Ultrium tape cartridges come with a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects and are available through Imation-authorized resellers and distributors. The new cartridges will be featured in Imation Booth #925 at the upcoming Networld+Interop show in Las Vegas, May 8-10.