Features - Storage Innovations:

PROMICRO AND AVAIL FUSE DISK AND TAPE FOR DATA PROTECTION

Promicro Systems, in partnership with Avail Solutions, has introduced a cost-effective backup appliance that provides businesses with advanced data storage, backup and recovery capabilities. Promicro has combined its ProStore network-attached storage (NAS) server with Avail's IntegrityT backup software and automated tape library, providing the benefits of both disk- and tape-based data protection in one seamless package.

The ProStore Backup Appliance offers an abundant 360GB of storage capacity, high-speed throughput with Intel processors, 10/100 Ethernet ports, three PCI slots and up to six IDE drive bays in a compact 2U form factor. The integrated 8-cartridge automated tape library transfers up to 640GB of compressed data at 6MB/s, contributing to fast backup and restore. A powerful backup and recovery feature set is provided by Avail's Integrity data protection software, including dynamic resource allocation, GUI-based monitoring, remote administration, and managed replication and protected data migration. The ProStore Backup Appliance allows users to achieve economical data storage and protection, especially for small companies and departmental users.

Preconfigured to retain backed-up data for up to four days on the NAS unit, the ProStore Backup Appliance can then migrate the data to the tape unit, where it will be retained for up to two weeks. All parameters are user programmable, providing a flexible solution for businesses' specific requirements. In a restoration situation, data is always retrieved from its most readily available location, whether on the NAS server or the tape unit, and sent directly to the requesting client.

"When it comes to storage and backup, the combination of disk and tape technologies provides businesses with the best of both worlds," said Jeff Haynes, president, Promicro Systems. "We are very pleased to have partnered with Avail Solutions, a proven innovator in the field of data protection, to introduce a value-based backup appliance to the market."

"We are delighted to have Promicro Systems as a partner," said Mark Armstrong, president of Avail Solutions. "Their experience in the server appliance market along with their reputation in servicing their customers makes them an ideal source for this low-cost, high feature, backup appliance."

Pricing and Availability

The backup appliance is available for immediate delivery by calling 866-PROMICRO. Starting price is $7,999.

About Promicro Systems

Promicro Systems is a leading provider of high performance computing solutions for a wide range of markets, including enterprise, entertainment, life sciences, petrochemical, education and government. Specializing in Linux-based servers and clusters, Promicro Systems delivers innovative technology and superior integration services with a focus on time-to-market and return-on-investment.

The company is the winner of the Intel Premier Provider Award for Greatest Intel Server Sales and Growth in 2001. Other product offerings include the NetPC, storage systems, workstations, and KVM solutions. For more information, please visit the company's Web site at www.promicro.com.

About Avail Solutions

Avail Solutions is a software development firm specializing in products aimed at the data protection and storage management market. The company is privately held and financed, and is managed by a team of industry veterans that have worked together on previous successful storage software endeavors.

Avail Solutions was founded in 1998 and has its corporate office in the Northern San Diego County area of Southern California.