March 14, 1997 11:00 AM ET
StorageTek, Imation at work on new storage platform
By James Gruener

Storage Technology Corp. and Imation Enterprises Corp. this week signed an agreement to co-develop a new data storage platform for users of Windows NT, Unix and mainframe applications. The new combination tape drive/cartridge hardware will be compatible with StorageTek's existing automation systems and allow data storage across a number of operating environments, StorageTek officials said. The platform is expected to allow for future advancements in capacity, transfer rates and access time, and will be compatible with StorageTek's hardware, officials from the companies said. Product details, pricing and availability have yet to be announced. Separately, StorageTek officials announced this week at Internet World in Los Angeles a new online storage plan called I Drive. I Drive will allow users to purchase secure and highly accessible data storage from an ISP (Internet service provider) for a monthly fee, company officials said. Access to stored data could be through an Internet or intranet. By the third quarter, StorageTek officials said, they hope to sign an agreement with one or more ISPs to market the online storage systems to users. ISPs will charge a monthly fee for storage used. Imation, based in Oakdale, Minn., was recently spun off from 3M. It can be reached at www.imation.com. StorageTek, based in Louisville, Colo., can be reached at www.storagetek.com. Copyright(c) 1997 Ziff-Davis Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff-Davis Publishing Company is prohibited. PC Week and the PC Week logo are trademarks of Ziff-Davis Publishing Company. PC Week Online and the PC Week Online logo are trademarks of Ziff-Davis Publishing Company. Send mail to PC Week