Features - Storage Innovations:

OKAPI SOFTWARE LAUNCHES AFTER SIX MONTHS IN STEALTH

Six months after its formation, Okapi Software launched what it calls "the simplest iSCSI in storage." The company's first products, called iStorage Controllers (iSC) and its proprietary ipKEY -- iSCSI on a key the size of a thumb -- are now available on systems starting below $5,000. These products will, said Okapi's founder and iSCSI pioneer, John Matze, "silence the skeptics that would rather not see iSCSI succeed."

Matze said Okapi is working with several large companies in order to forge a unified vision for the future of IP SAN. "Reviews under way could lead to an increase in the visibility of iSCSI and IP SAN as well as for additional products Okapi will release in the coming months," said Matze. Okapi is currently shipping the iSC110 and iSC220 iStorageControllers.

Okapi sees the enterprise as being very attracted to both the premise and promise of IP SAN and it has made it a mission to provide an iSCSI solution that delivers on both. Capitalizing on IT managers' in-house storage expertise and the widespread use of LAN/Ethernet infrastructure and IP-based networks, Okapi developed its iStorageControllers as the model for an affordable and easy-to-install way to "prove" iSCSI storage.

Management Team Includes Well-Known iSCSI Visionaries. Okapi also announced its executive management team, comprised of seasoned industry veterans. On the team are:

• John Matze, president & CEO. Matze has almost 20 years of experience in the storage industry and is one of the original architects of the IETF standard for the iSCSI protocol. Matze has held executive positions with VERITAS Software where he designed and developed new technologies and products based on SCSI over IP. He was also CTO at StoneFly Networks in San Diego.
• Bob Farkaly, Chief Marketing Officer. Farkaly is a seasoned data storage industry executive and a well-known specialist in IP SAN and iSCSI storage networking. Since the early 1990s, he has led numerous launch and marketing programs for companies advancing Fibre Channel and IP SAN solutions. Companies in his portfolio include IBM, Raytheon Corporation and the Robert Bosch Corporation.
• Ross Rattray, vice president Sales. Before joining Okapi, Rattray was founder and president of Technical Support Solutions, a leading IT consulting group that partnered with IT executives at Oracle, Seagate Software and BMC Software, among others. He has held senior management positions with Control Data, Ceridian, Ziff Davis and Cardiff Software.
• Mike Reider, vice president Engineering. Reider's more than 15 years experience in high-tech include his own IP storage company, Stache-IT in San Diego, which was bought by StoneFly Networks. He joined StoneFly and was responsible for iSCSI development programs. Reider has participated, since its inception, in iSCSI-standard interoperability testing at the University of New Hampshire' Interoperability Lab (IOL). (Note: Further details on Okapi's management team are available on the company's Website at: www.okapi-software.com.)

"Okapi will cut a clear path through the iSCSI jungle to make IP SAN a reality," said CMO Bob Farkaly. "Our 12-month roadmap includes extensions to our iStorage Controllers, as well as other high-value products that deliver a broad range of storage services using IP SAN." He said the company's unique ipKEY "will be the delivery vehicle for the IP SAN of the future."

About Okapi Software

Founded in February 2002, Okapi Software's mission is to deliver easy-to-install, easy-to-manage iSCSI solutions for affordable, everyday IP storage. The company is located close to San Diego in Poway, CA. The company's founder and president & CEO, John Matze, is one of the original architects of the IETF's iSCSI standard.