M4 Data and Benchmark Tape Systems Announce Strategic Partnership

Systems Corporation (www.BenchmarkTape.com) announced today that M4 Data, Europe's largest independent data storage solution provider, will incorporate Benchmark's family of DLT products into its latest library offerings. As a library partner for Benchmark, M4 Data will offer Benchmark's DLT1 tape drive with leading price/performance metrics to its customers worldwide, providing them with a wide range of incrementally scalable automation solutions. M4 Data provides its customers with storage solutions from desktop to enterprise requirements. According to David Huntingdon, sales and marketing director at M4 Data, the Benchmark DLT1 tape drive is perfect for M4 Data's future line of DLT tape libraries. "Benchmark's DLT1 tape drive provides the right performance and price point to complement M4 Data's line of DLT tape libraries. We believe that the people behind the company and the products they are introducing will make this a successful endeavour for both of us. We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Benchmark." Lew Frauenfelder, president of Benchmark Tape Systems, describes the synergy between the two companies. "M4 Data has the qualities necessary to expand the tape library market and increase the already wide range of choices available. The OEM agreement will open up Benchmark's marketing channels worldwide. The price and performance of the Benchmark DLT1 will be a welcome fit for M4's customers." The Benchmark DLT1 tape drive offers a 40 GB native capacity (80 GB compressed) and a 3 MB/second native transfer rate (6 MB/sec compressed), providing enterprise reliability and performance at low-end server pricing. Along with leading price/performance metrics, the Benchmark DLT1 is read compatible with the DLT4000 utilizing DLTtape(TM) IV media. The Benchmark DLT1 is available in internal and external configurations. Virtually all software packages are supported. Designed with automation in mind, the Benchmark DLT1 features soft unload capability. About Benchmark Founded in May 1998, Benchmark Tape Systems Corporation is dedicated to the development of tape backup and archive systems that feature simplified design, reliability, ease of use, and exceptional performance for small to medium size computer networks and workstations at the most competitive prices in the industry. Benchmark's technology is derived from DLTtape technology licensed by Quantum Corporation, a minority investor. The company is marketing its products through multiple channels of distribution worldwide. Benchmark's web site is www.BenchmarkTape.com. About M4 Data M4 Data provides data storage solutions to the computer community. Its primary goal is to provide customers with the most cost-effective, high performance data storage solutions based on innovative design and advanced technology, customer-focused quality manufacturing, and backed by a responsive world-wide support network. M4 Data has over twenty years experience in developing and manufacturing Open Reel, 3490E cartridge tape drives, and automated tape library solutions to meet the needs of some of the most demanding customers in the world. With over 40,000 units field installed, M4 Data has the experience to effectively address all mainframe data interchange and high-speed backup requirements, no matter how demanding the application, providing connection to virtually any host platform by virtue of its multiple interfaces. M4 Data also provides comprehensive support on its products internationally through various offices and agents. The Company's fully qualified ISO9000 production facilities assure the finest quality standards. M4 Data's corporate headquarters and Research and Development facilities are located in Wells, Somerset, UK. The manufacturing facility located in Camberley, UK. M4 Data employs over 170 people with 40 of those in Research and Development Department. More information can be obtained at the web site www.m4data.com. ots Original Text Service: Benchmark Tape Systems Corporation Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: Marilyn R. Kroner of Benchmark Tape Systems Corp., (USA) 720-406-5130, mkroner@BenchmarkTape.com; Kathy Tanabe of Hi-Tech Ink (U.S.), (USA) 303-694-6411, ktanabe@hitechink.com; Keith Mason of Harvard Public Relations (Europe), 011-(+44)(0)20-8564-6360, keith@harvard.co.uk; Randy Fox of M4 Data, (USA) 307-632-9957, randyfox@sprynet.com; or Carle Churgin of Churgin Communications, (USA) 303-449-7688, churgin@churgin.com, for Benchmark Tape Systems Corporation Web site: http://www.m4data.com Web site: http://www.BenchmarkTape.com Subscribers please note that material bearing the slug "PROTEXT" is not part of CTK's news service and is not to be published under the "CTK" slug. Protext is a commercial service providing distribution of press releases from clients, who are identified in the text of Protext reports and who bear full responsibility for their contents. PROTEXT