EMC Gets VTL Software To Call Its Own

September 26th, 2006: Among its other recent acquisitions of RSA and Network intelligence, earlier this month EMC quietly took over virtual tape library (VTL) software specialist NearTek.

EMC has made no official announcement of the acquisition to date, however, NearTek has posted an announcement on the front page of its website that states “On September 1, 2006 EMC acquired NearTek’s leading edge VTL technology.

“We wish to thank all our employees and customers for helping make this strategic acquisition possible. The company, following this acquisition, will cease operations.”

EMC currently uses FalconStor’s VTL software in conjunction with is Clariion VTL, making its plans for NearTek’s Windows-based technology somewhat of a mystery. EMC executive vice president and chief development officer Mark Lewis has, however, confirmed the acquisition. Speaking to storagesearch.com, Lewis called the purchase a "tactical buy" providing the company with a backup set of technology.

As far as tactics go, EMC could use its new to at the least put the squeeze on its relationship with FalconStor. At the least it’s an indication that EMC thinks VTL technology is important enough to keep a trump card up its sleeve.

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