ADIC Makes $7 Million Strategic Investment in @Backup; Secure Online Data Protection Leader Chosen as Internet Data Services Partner

Business Wire, August 2, 1999

REDMOND, Wash./SAN DIEGO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 2, 1999--

Advanced Digital Information Corporation (Nasdaq:ADIC) today announced a $7 million investment in @Backup(R), an industry leader in secure online data protection, remote storage, and data access services.

In addition to providing capital, the investment is expected to result in development of products and services to expand both companies' roles in the market to manage and protect electronic information using Internet-based technology.

"The Internet is helping create an explosion of data. But it also offers new options for managing and protecting electronic information, especially for mobile users, remote offices with limited IT resources, home offices, and wired consumers," commented Peter van Oppen, ADIC Chairman and CEO. "@Backup has earned a leading position in this online data management market. It has developed key proprietary technologies that help solve bandwidth and network traffic challenges and established important relationships with key players, including Toshiba and Dell. This investment marks much more than a venture opportunity for us; we plan to work actively with @Backup to develop new data protection solutions for our worldwide customer base."

"ADIC is a premier provider of corporate data protection solutions, with top-notch technical expertise, a proven service infrastructure and extensive channel," said Gary Sutton, @Backup CEO. "We'll use this strategic financial infusion and partnership to increase awareness and ubiquity of our current service and to develop new offerings that will continue to keep @Backup well ahead of the Internet's exploding data access and storage curve."

About @Backup

Founded in 1995, @Backup is the nation's leading online data management company. Featuring bank-level security, @Backup provides automatic off-site storage for all types of computer data, protecting users against hardware failure, theft, disaster or human error. The @Backup service is designed as a safer, more reliable and convenient alternative to traditional backup methods, such as zip drives or magnetic tape.

About ADIC

With more than 45,000 automated tape libraries installed as well as a suite of innovative software solutions and Storage Area Networking (SAN) products, ADIC is a leading global provider in the growing market to manage and protect information in computer networks. Marketed under ADIC, ADIC/GRAU and OEM partner brands, including Dell, Exabyte and Unisys, the Company's automated tape libraries are available with DLTtape, D2, half-inch, AIT, 4mm and 8mm tape technologies and are supported by leading backup and storage management software products for Windows NT, UNIX and MVS operating systems. The Company's own storage management tools include AMASS(R) direct data access software which provides network users shared access to information stored in automated libraries. A pioneer in marketing products for Storage Area Networks, ADIC offers Fibre Channel routers and tape libraries with direct Fibre Channel connectivity. Further product information is available via the Internet at www.adic.com

ADIC, AML, AMASS and FibreReady are trademarks of Advanced Digital Information Corporation. @Backup is a registered trademark @Backup, Inc. AIT is a trademark of Sony Corporation. DLTtape is a trademark of Quantum Corporation. All other product, trademark, company, or service names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.