BCC Launches First iSeries 15K RPM Disk Drive; World's Fastest Disk Drive Dramatically Improves Performance of iSeries ERP, CRM, SCM and Collaborative Computing Applications.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 23, 2001

A few highpoints of BCC's 15K Extender(TM)Disk Drive (15K EDD)

    --  4GB, 8GB, 17GB and 35GB capacities

    --  Up to 177% faster than IBM(R)'s top-end 10K RPM disk

    --  Unparalleled performance at up to 177 OPS per drive

    --  BCC's own FAST(TM)Technology reduces average seek times to
        just 1ms

    --  7x24 installation and on-site service provided

    --  5-year product warranty

    --  Only 15K RPM drive on the market -- priced same as IBM's 10K
        alternative

BCC Technologies today announced their 15K RPM Extender(TM) Disk Drive (15K EDD). By integrating record-breaking 15K hard drive assemblies (HDAs) and utilizing BCC's patented Fast Access Storage Technology (FAST(TM) Technology), the 15K EDD delivers the greatest number of Operations Per Second (OPS) of any AS/400(R) or iSeries(R) disk subsystem.

"The 15K EDD, provides the enhanced performance necessary to power IBM's portfolio of high performance iSeries servers," reported David Breisacher, founder and CEO for BCC Technologies Inc. "In business where every second counts, the 15K EDD can dramatically improve response times."

The 15K EDD can be configured at 4, 8, 17 and 35 GB capacities. These new drives incorporate IBM's latest technology breakthroughs in reliability and performance, making them ideal for mission-critical iSeries applications. Average seek times on BCC's 15K EDD are as low as 3.4 millisecond (ms), and these are further accelerated to 1ms using BCC's FAST(TM) Technology.

"When compared to processor and memory technology, disk drives are slow devices. When your disk drive is the performance bottleneck, it doesn't matter how powerful your processor is or how streamlined your application software runs," explained John Gimpl III, vice president, sales of BCC Technologies. "Our 15K EDD attacks the iSeries disk performance bottleneck with an OPS rating of up to 177, average seek times as fast as 1 millisecond, rotational latency of 2 milliseconds, and a spindle RPM speed of 15K. This power permits the iSeries to keep up with the most sophisticated ERP, CRM or SCM solutions."

BCC disk performance is strengthened by sustained media transfer rates of up to 49 MB/second and maximum data transfer rates reaching 61 MB/second, supported by large 4 MB multi-segmented cache buffers.

BCC's FAST(TM) Technology can double or triple the 15K EDD's performance, using BCC's Intelligent Partition Controller (IPC(TM)) to restrict the movement of the drive actuator to the outer 1/3 of the cylinders. This reduced actuator movement will decrease average seek times by up to 68 percent and will improve sustained media transfer rates by up to 35 percent. With FAST Technology, overall performance of the 15K EDD is improved by more than 55 percent.

BCC's 15K EDD family incorporates several key technologies, all of which aid drive stability. Most noteworthy are: (1) fifth-generation Giant Magneto-Resistive (GMR) head technology that doubles performance and increases areal densities up to 13.2 Gbits/square inch; (2) highly efficient No-ID(TM) sector formatting, enabling more data to be stored per disk; (3) additional data protection measures through Predictive Failure Analysis(TM) to signal potential drive problems; and (4) Drive-TIP(TM) to monitor drive temperatures and decrease malfunctions.

Other reliability enhancements on-board the 15K EDD (which also exist in the earlier generation BCC 10K RPM Extender Disk Drives), include more powerful actuator motors, active damping, spindle motor bearings, load/unload technology and glass substrate platters to enhance dependability and prolong drive life.

According to Breisacher, the 15K EDD family is another landmark in BCC's commitment to produce peerless iSeries storage products. "We are unwavering in our focus to provide our customers with storage solutions that will advance their enterprising edge, at the same time satisfying even the tightest IT budget."

Breisacher continued, "With a top-end OPS rating of 177, the new 15K EDD family offers by far the best-in-class drives for the iSeries."

    Pricing and Availability and Support

    1. Prices range from 0.14 to 0.33 cents per MB.

    2. Availability is scheduled for third quarter of 2001.

    3. Installation and 7x24 on-site service is provided by BCC
       ServiceOne(TM).

About BCC Technologies

BCC Technologies, founded in 1989 with corporate headquarters in Irvine, is a leading manufacturer of computer storage solutions for the iSeries, AS/400, Unix, Linux and NT platforms. The 15K EDD family fulfills BCC's commitment to provide the highest performance and value for the iSeries community. Tape subsystems and enterprise-wide libraries are configured with LTO, AIT, and DLT technologies. BCC's products are marketed directly and through BCC Authorized Resellers (BARs) accessible through the company's Web site at www.bcctech.com.

    Media Relations Contact
    Joel Gordon, Media Relations -- [e-mail]

    Editorial Contact
    David Breisacher, CEO/Chairman -- [e-mail]

    BCC Technologies Inc.
    15331 Barranca Parkway
    Irvine, CA 92618
    949/453-7600 -- 800/598-9910
    949/453-7601 Fax
    www.bcctech.com -- [e-mail]

    15K EDD -- Hyperlinks

    --  15K EDD Micro-Site -- http://www.bcctech.com/15k/index.html

    --  15K EDD Photo, 3MB Zip, TIF File --
        http://www.bcctech.com/15k/15kphoto.zip

Trademarks: BCC, Extender, FAST Technology, Maxback, ServiceOne, BCC Concurrent Save and Ultimate are trademarks of BCC Technologies Inc. in the United States and other countries. AS/400, iSeries, Drive-TIP, No-ID, Predictive Failure Analysis, IBM, Magstar, OS/400, RS/6000, Ultrastar are registered trademarks or trademarks of IBM corporation in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.