Plasmon UDO to help future proof optical storage
Plasmon UDO to help future proof optical storage
Optical storage provider Plasmon is set to release new storage technology that will allow its users to almost triple their storage capacity without having to replace their existing Plasmon optical storage libraries.
The key to the major increase in capacity is the new UDO (ultra density optical) drive, which is scheduled to be shipped next month. While current optical drives on the market use infrared laser technology, the UDO utilises a blue laser, which has been used by consumer electrical manufacturers and is now being used to develop archiving solutions, enabling a quantum leap in optical storage density from 2.7 gigabytes per sq. inch to over 7.4 gigabytes per sq. inch.
"We had hit the wall where (red laser) technology was concerned when it comes to increased capacity," says Michel Locquergnies, International Sales Director at Plasmon.
Helping organisations meet the demands made by regulators surrounding the retention of electronic records was a key driver in creating the next-generation technology, according to Locquergnies.
"Our current focus is very much on electronic archiving, especially for organisations that need to retain records for a long time, such as insurance companies or the medical profession. The financial scandals at Enron and WorldCom also brought the issue of email retention sharply into focus. Email archives are also being used more and more in court cases as evidence."
As UDO uses the same form factor as the current optical storage technology, users looking to upgrade can do so simply by replacing a few components and inserting new drives, thus avoiding technology obsolescence and protecting investments.
Despite the fact that the first UDO drive to hit the streets is almost three times as dense as the next best device on the market at present, Plasmon has no intention of resting on its laurels, with the company having already stated its roadmap for further performance enhancements.
"This first generation that is coming out now contains 30 gigabytes per disk. The next generation, which will contain 60GB per disk, will come out in the next 18 to 24 months, while the third generation, which will be out within the next three years, will hold a minimum of 120GB per disk. This is very important, as IT managers need to see a plan so they know its not here today, gone tomorrow technology."
Helping Plasmon introduce UDO to the Australian market is long time distribution partner Austor.
"We have been partners with Plasmon since 1992 and are the only company in Australia whose engineers have been factory trained by Plasmon," says Austor Managing Director, Lachlan MacDonald. "We have seen the different phases and the building up of the installed database of clients here in Australia across a variety of vertical markets. UDO is a technology that will give these users the longevity they are looking for."
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