Exabyte's VXA-2 PacketLoader Sets Sales Record; VXA Products Continue Strong Growth as a New Standard in Tape Storage

Business Wire, May 17, 2004

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

FOSE 2004

BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 2004

Newest VXA-2 Autoloader Breaks Industry Barriers for Capacity,

Data Transfer Rate and Price

Continuing its momentum with the VXA product line, Exabyte Corporation (OTCBB:EXBT), a performance and value leader in tape backup, restore and archival systems, announced today that its VXA-2 PacketLoader 1x10 1U tape autoloader has become the fastest-selling automation product in the company's 18-year history, exceeding 1,000 units sold in its first 90 days of availability. The VXA-2 PacketLoader 1x10 is an ultra-compact 1U rack-mountable automated backup and restore product built with VXA Packet Technology and Exabyte's world-renowned robotics. With up to 1.6 terabytes of back-up capacity and 43.2 GB/hr transfer rate, the newest autoloader from Exabyte heralds a breakthrough in price, performance and capacity for this class of automation product. Exabyte, the exclusive provider of VXA Packet Technology, also reported deliveries of VXA-2 products have grown an average of 50 percent consecutively for the fourth quarter of 2003 and the first quarter of 2004, further demonstrating the strong market acceptance of VXA Packet Technology as the new standard for tape back up and restore for the SMB and departmental markets.

Released in mid February 2004, the PacketLoader won the prestigious Best New Technology Award for storage products at FOSE 2004 in March. FOSE is the largest IT exposition for U.S. government agencies, and the award recognizes products that demonstrate outstanding innovation in meeting this sectors specific IT needs. The VXA-2 PacketLoader has been widely recognized for setting a new standard in entry-level tape automation - allowing a large segment of government, SMBs, departmental offices and regional agencies to afford automation for the very first time.

"Exabyte's newest VXA-2 automation product targets the growing need of small- and medium-sized organizations that seek reliable data backup and restore and the greatest capacity for the price," said Robert Abraham, analyst with Freeman Reports. "With more companies turning to the efficiency and convenience of automated backup, the VXA-2 PacketLoader is on target with its 1u form factor and its overall value in terms of capacity, transfer rate, and price."

"The VXA-2 PacketLoader 1x10 1U is a landmark product, making tape automation affordable and opening the door to automated backup for thousands of companies who have growing data storage needs," said Tom Ward, president and CEO of Exabyte. "Its success in the marketplace reflects the fact that this autoloader sets new standards for capacity, speed and price for this class of automation along with the high standard of data reliability that customers expect from Exabyte storage products."

With an MSRP starting under $3,000, Exabyte's rack-mounted VXA-2 PacketLoader 1x10 1U provides more capacity for the dollar than any other automated backup and restore product on the market. Exabyte's award-winning VXA Packet Technology enables the VXA-2 PacketLoader to set a new standard in capacity, data reliability, transfer speed and price for this class of automation products. It offers ten 160 GB(a) cartridge slots for up to 1.6 TB(a) backup capacity at a transfer speed of up to 43.2 GB/hr.(a), which is at least 5x the capacity, 2x the speed and 180x the restore integrity of a comparable autoloader at a lower price. In addition, the VXA-2 PacketLoader offers a midrange feature set, including a barcode reader standard, random library operation and optional remote management. Plus, it is the only 1u autoloader with a field-replaceable drive, allowing for easy upgrades to future generations of VXA drives without the cost of buying a whole new box. Offered with either HD SCSI LVD 68-pin and FireWire 800 connectivity, the PacketLoader ships with a VXA-2 Packet Drive and includes a rack mount kit, cables, backup software and a cleaning tape - all at a price lower than many standalone tape drives.

With FireWire 800 connectivity, its outstanding capacity, and its affordable price, the VXA-2 PacketLoader 1x10 1U is ideal for Mac users and makes it possible for them to upgrade from single tape drives to a cost-effective and reliable VXA-2 automated backup solution. While compatible with all major platforms, the VXA-2 PacketLoader and Apple Xserve are perfect complements that provide a complete storage solution for Mac users with intensive data storage needs.

Exabyte tape storage products are widely available through a global network of OEMs, value-added resellers and distributors. The Company has enrolled more than 700 new VARs and secured ten new OEM partnerships for its VXA platform, including IBM, Fujitsu Siemens Computers and Apple. For ordering or more information, contact your local reseller or visit www.exabyte.com.

About VXA Tape Technology

Exabyte's award-winning VXA Packet Technology is the most significant advancement in tape storage technology in the last decade. VXA Packet Tape products offer a unique combination of greater capacity, faster data transfer rates and dramatically superior data reliability than other tape formats in its class, all at comparable prices. VXA Packet Technology, available only from Exabyte, offers far superior data reliability than any other tape technology, enabled by its innovative read/write "packet" architecture - "extreme" tested to provide 100 percent data restore. Also, the published VXA roadmap currently extends through four successive generations, consistently doubling capacity and speed every two years while holding pricing level and maintaining backward compatibility, thus ensuring long-term protection of users' investments in drives and media. VXA Packet Drives are also available in Exabyte's rugged and robust autoloaders and 430 library, designed to meet customers growing need for the efficiency and convenience of automation. VXA Packet Drives have now been selected by many OEMs, including Apple, Fujitsu Siemens and IBM, providing a definitive endorsement of VXA Packet solutions as the new standard for tape storage in its class.