Imation announces LTO Ultrium generation 3 worm cartridge

With an added focus on regulatory compliance, write once, read many, WORM technology is designed to be used with archival applications that need to ensure data is untouched during its retention period - such as financial or certification documents and emails. WORM cartridges can only be erased through degaussing, which means the data stored is secure and readily available when required.

With up to 800GB of storage capacity and a 160MB per second transfer rate, once data has been written to WORM tape, it cannot be altered. An ideal solution for businesses to store and archive documents securely, efficiently and cost-effectively, the tape's servo pattern and cartridge memory contains format information that identifies the cartridge as write once for WORM enabled LTO3 drives.

"For years companies have relied on the power of LTO Ultrium technology to provide a scalable, adaptable open tape format to help meet the growing demands of data protection", said Peter-Paul van Heesewijk, European Business Manager for Imation's Data Storage Media. "As the super tape market continues to be monopolised by LTO technology, and will be for the foreseeable future - according to Gartner, in 2004 LTO had 77 percent of the super-tape market - it is vital that adequate measures are taken to ensure the security and reliability of data and Imation's announcement of the LTO WORM cartridge is testament to this", he continued. "This ultra high capacity generation of LTO Ultrium Generation 3 tape cartridges comes as a result of Imation's new Tera Angstrom technology, a proprietary coating formulation and process that is used to manufacture new high capacity media, providing customers with the highest levels of durability, reliability and long term data integrity."

"The Imation LTO Ultrium Generation 3 WORM Cartridges is a 'write once; read many' tape cartridge," said Hatim Moqbel, Imation's Market Development Manager - B2B for Middle East and East Africa (MEEA). "It is ideal for archival applications that require data to be unchanged through its retention period. The Imation LTO Ultrium Generation 3 WORM Cartridges are now available to Imation's distribution partners."

Imation LTO Ultrium Generation 3 WORM Cartridges offer:
• Up to 800GB storage capacity (assuming 2:1 compression)
• 160MB/second transfer rate (assuming 2:1 compression)
• Compatible with WORM capable LTO Ultrium generation 3 drives (enabled by upgrade in drive firmware)
• Write once, read many (WORM) cartridges can only be erased through degaussing
• Limited Lifetime Warranty
• Long-term storage medium - up to 30 year shelf life
• Low cost, high capacity data cartridges
• Single tape drive solution for backup and WORM archiving
• Easy integration into current IT environments
• Multi-level failsafe security features