Imation Pushes RDX at 1TB, Like Tandberg

Imation Corp. announced the introduction of a 1-terabyte native capacity cartridge to its line of Imation RDX removable disk cartridges. The RDX system is designed to provide small and medium-sized businesses with easy and reliable backup, data security and expandable storage.

"The Imation RDX solution addresses the need for cost-effective, scalable storage for small and medium businesses," said Subodh Kulkarni, chief technology officer and senior vice president, Imation. "With RDX, users leverage the benefits of speed, instant access, and reliability of disk combined with the ruggedness, removability, and offsite storage capabilities of tape. Now, with a full terabyte of capacity and complete forward and backward compatibility between cartridges and docking station, RDX is ideal for SMBs that must keep up with ever-increasing data storage requirements."

The introduction follows Imation’s March announcement that the company has extended its license agreement with ProStor Systems to manufacture, market and sell RDX removable hard disk systems through 2020. Imation, a founding member of the RDX Storage Alliance, has also made a $5 million investment in ProStor Systems, which provides industry-leading solutions for the cost-effective, long-term storage of digital information and is the inventor and licensor of RDX technology.

Imation’s RDX solution includes a high-capacity, rugged and removable 2.5-inch hard disk drive cartridge and a docking station with USB and SATA connections. Offering complete data protection with easy and reliable backup, data security and expandable storage, RDX removable hard disk drive cartridges are available in 160GB, 320GB, 500GB, 640GB, 750GB and 1TB capacities. The docking station and cartridges are fully forward and backward compatible.

Imation’s RDX system combines robust RDX technology with award-winning Retrospect software to make protecting data even easier. The software installs in minutes and delivers fast backups, accurate restores and file disaster recovery with minimal manual effort or expertise. Retrospect features government certified 256-bit AES encryption ensuring that sensitive data remains secure.

Pricing and Availability
Imation RDX cartridges are available through authorized distributors at a suggested retail price ranging from $149.99 to $599.99, depending on cartridge capacity.

Comments

Tandberg Data also revealed in July 1TB RDX cartridges, based on 12mm 2.5-inch HDD, at a lower individual price, $485.

A comparable storage system designed by Imation, Odyssey, with different HDD cartridges up to 250GB, continues to be advertized on the company's web site, even if it has been complete failure - like Quantum GoVault.

Now the ProStor's technology has a near monopoly in these docking stations.

But we have never understood the reason of its success. Big guys are also selling them, like Dell, HP and IBM, with comfortable margins. It's much less expansive to use one or more standard external HDDs to get about the same functionalities at much cheaper prices. Why do we need a dock? Probably old users like it because it appears and is handled like a removable tape that was supposed to be the standard in backup for many years, and at a lower cost compared to DAT/DDS or LTO drives. A success based on psychological attitudes?