Imation Helps you Find Your Data

Keeping legacy data on cartridges is a common practice. However, finding those cartridges is not always so high tech. To help you locate them without embarrassment, Imation Corp has brought forth the DataGuard rf Tape Tracking System, a data system that allows data center managers to track the location of data cartridges within their inventory. DataGuard rf uses specially designed RFID- enabled labels affixed to each tape cartridge to allow administrators to check in and check out cartridges via entry and exit workstations. The cartridges are then tracked via B&L Associates’ VaultLedger or Vertices software. The DataGuard rf system provides list and audit reporting capabilities, decreasing the amount of time data center personnel spend on managing tape libraries. The system includes passive RFID tags coupled with specially printed volume-and-serial-number or "Volser" identification labels to be applied to each tape cartridge in the data center. For security, the data on Imation’s RFID-enabled Volser labels are encrypted and each DataGuard rf label is read by Imation’s data center-based scan station. A custom designed scan station couples a reader with an antenna pad and resides within the tape processing area of the data center. The system reads each cartridge carrying an Imation Volser label with RFID and transfers the Volser number to tape management software. Imation’s DataGuard rf Scan Station is able to read up to 20 cartridges held within a storage tray or through parent/child relationship capabilities built in to Imation’s DataGuard Transport and Storage Case at the same time. The Imation DataGuard rf Mobile Scanner is a portable hand-held scanner replicating all major functions of the Imation DataGuard rf Scan Station, including audits, library inventories and missing cartridge notification. The mobile scanner reads and logs Imation Volser labels with RFID-enabled media and syncs with a transportable docking station to upload the read tapes, providing users with more flexibility to work within the data center. The device is also programmable to locate misfiled or out-of-sequence cartridges via tape management software. In coming months, Imation also expects to introduce additional functionality for the DataGuard rf system, including AGPS (assisted global positioning system) enabling of the DataGuard Transport and Storage Case, which will allow users to track the location of cases using cellular and GPS technology. Imation’s DataGuard rf tape tracking system will be generally available in April 2007.