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posted on 15 July 2008 05:21

OAKDALE, Minn., July 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Imation Corp. (NYSE: IMN - News), a worldwide leader in removable data storage, today announced its support for Sun StorageTek(TM) T10000B tape drives which provide the highest data capacity per cartridge in the enterprise tape market at one terabyte.

The Sun StorageTek T10000 tape drive format utilizes Imation's proprietary Tera Angstrom(TM) technology, a proprietary coating formulation and process enabling a terabyte-capacity tape product, with Imation's patented Precision-Tracking 'N Pattern' Servo writing technology, an ultra-precise reference pattern enabling nanometer-level tracking accuracy for one terabyte and more of data.

"Customers can protect their media investment and maximize their IT spend thanks to the backward read/write compatibility and simplified deployment and proven compatibility with Sun StorageTek enterprise tape libraries," said Tom Maiorano, senior director WW Storage Media Business, Sun Microsystems, Inc. "The integration of Sun's latest world-leading fast-access enterprise tape drive design and Imation's long-standing media expertise delivers optimized throughput with storage capacity hitting an unprecedented 1 TB."

"We have focused on the advancement of tape technology for more than 50 years and remain committed to delivering the advanced tape storage solutions that enterprise customers demand," said Subodh Kulkarni, vice president, Global Commercial Business, R&D and Manufacturing, Imation. "When we launched our Tera Angstrom coating operation in 2004, we set a goal to deliver 1 TB of native capacity in a cartridge before the end of the decade. Today we are pleased to hit that milestone as we continue to work with Sun helping customers maximize and protect their automated tape library investments."

Imation technologies incorporated into Sun StorageTek T10000 media include:

-- Precision-Tracking 'N Pattern' Servo Writing: A patented servo writing technology that creates an ultra-precise reference pattern enabling nanometer-level tracking accuracy critical for capacities of a terabyte and more.

-- Tera Angstrom Technology: Unique manufacturing processes consisting of:

o Impingement Process: High-pressure (>10000 psi) impingement jets force particles against each other, blasting apart the clusters of magnetic particles and separating them into nanometer-size elements that enable magnetic layer uniformity -- smaller particle size and more uniform distribution.
o Quiescent Drying Process: A delicate drying environment that utilizes low air velocity and magnetic coils for extremely precise particle orientation -- eliminating coating disturbances and orienting the particles precisely to allow for maximum bit density and storage capacity.
o In-Line Calendering Process: A series of rollers with an ultra-smooth finish that compress the tape surface to achieve surface smoothness measured in angstrom units.

-- Secure Cartridge Construction: A special Vertical Spool Lock secures the tape spool internally to the cartridge during out-of-drive conditions and a patented hub design provides more reliable location of the cartridge hub to the true drive tape path. Both are key to the superior cartridge performance required in data center environments.

The Sun StorageTek T10000B tape cartridge is available through authorized distributors.

For more information, please visit: http://www.imation.com.

About Imation Corp.

Imation Corp. is the only company in the world solely focused on the development, manufacture and supply of removable data storage products spanning the four pillars of magnetic, optical, flash and removable hard disk storage. With more than 50 years of data storage leadership beginning with the development of the world's first computer tape, in 2006 Imation proudly marked its 10th anniversary as an independent company.

In addition to the Imation brand, Imation Corp.'s global brand portfolio includes the Memorex brand, one of the most widely recognized names in the consumer electronics industry, famous for the slogan, "Is it live or is it Memorex?" Imation is also the exclusive licensee of the TDK Life on Record brand, one of the world's leading recording media brands. And as co-developer of Nickelodeon's Npower brand of consumer electronics, Imation helps empower kids of all ages to use the latest technology. Additional information about Imation and its brands is available at http://www.imation.com or by calling 1-888-466-3456.

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.

A singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer"(TM) -- guides Sun in the development of technologies that power the world's most important markets. Sun's philosophy of sharing innovation and building communities is at the forefront of the next wave of computing: the Participation Age. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the Web at www.sun.com.

^{[Formatted by B&F staff.]}