New ADIC Autoloader Delivers Enterprise Data Protection at DAT Prices; FastStor DLT1 Provides Technology Upgrade for 4mm and 8mm Drive Users.

Business Editors, High-Tech Writers

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 21, 2000

Advanced Digital Information Corporation (Nasdaq:ADIC) today announced the release of a new model of its seven-tape FastStor autoloader, the first to integrate the newly developed DLT1 drive technology from Benchmark Tape Systems Corp.

Designed to provide a low-cost technology upgrade path, the new FastStor DLT1 autoloader combines DLT capacity and reliability with pricing that is less than one cent per MB -- lower than many automated storage products using 4mm (DAT) drive technology.

The FastStor DLT1 is a seven-tape automated storage system with 560GB capacity (with average 2:1 compression) and 6 MB/second sustained throughput that provides a full week or more of automated data protection for client-server systems. This performance is packed into one of the industry's smallest automated storage products. FastStor is small enough to fit easily on a standard server; in rack systems, one or two can be mounted side by side in only seven vertical inches (4u). The innovative autoloaders write data in the new DLT1 format on standard DLT type IV media, but can read files written by DLT4000 drives.

"Throughout the enterprise, critical data is growing faster than the capacity of lower-end tape drives to protect it," according to Bill Britts, ADIC executive vice-president of Sales and Marketing, "and thousands of IT departments are getting caught in the squeeze. The new FastStor DLT1 provides these organizations with an alternative that provides true DLT reliability, speed, and capacity at a price that is less than products using older, lower capacity technologies. And, because it gives IT departments a week or more of completely unattended backup support, FastStor can dramatically reduce the time network administrators need to spend managing data and, at the same time, increase the effectiveness of their data protection."

The FastStor autoloader platform has established itself as one of the most successful in the industry, providing compact, reliable data protection for a broad range of distributed server environments, including remote offices, small offices, and individual enterprise workgroups. The new DLT1 FastStor model promises to make automated storage and reliable linear recording systems affordable for users of lower-end drives, including 4mm and legacy 8mm drives.

The new ADIC FastStor DLT1 autoloaders are available now from value-added resellers at a suggested list price of $4795.

About ADIC

With an installed base of more than 60,000 automated libraries, innovative storage management software, Fibre Channel Storage Area Network (SAN) solutions, and Network Attach Storage (NAS) appliances, ADIC is a leading device-independent storage solutions provider to the open systems marketplace. The Company offers a broad range of products designed to enhance organizations' ability to store, protect, manage and use their rapidly growing network data. ADIC's automated storage products are available through a worldwide sales force and a global network of resellers and OEMs, including Dell, Fujitsu Siemens and IBM. Further information is available at http://www.adic.com.

ADIC and FastStor are trademarks of Advanced Digital Information Corporation. All other product and service marks mentioned in this release are the property of their respective owners.