EMC To Resell ADIC Tape Libraries

As part of the agreement, ADIC will also replace its current supplier of hard disks in its Pathlight VX virtual tape solution with networked storage from EMC's Clariion line.

EMC is bringing ADIC libraries in order to fill out its product line to deliver on its information lifecycle management (ILM) strategy, said Howard Elias, executive vice president of corporate marketing in the office of technology and new ventures at EMC. While disk-based storage for archiving and backup is moving into the space traditionally associated with tape, customers still have applications for which the lower service level offered by tape compared to disk, Elias said.

"Customers are saying, if you are going to do all that (related to ILM), I may just want to purchase tape through you as well," he said.

Jonathan Otis, vice president of corporate development at ADIC, said that while EMC will put ADIC libraries on its price list, ADIC will be responsible for delivery, implementation, and support.

EMC is serious about adding the ADIC tape line to its ILM strategy, said Otis. "EMC is a big company," he said. "They won't spend a lot of time on a product that won't have an impact on their business. They are not going to waste their time. They will sell it into a lot of places where customers need tap."

EMC will offer the ADIC libraries through all its direct and indirect sales channels, said Elias. "That being said, ADIC also has a very robust channel program of its own," he said.

One solution provider, who preferred to remain anonymous, was not overly enthusiastic about EMC's tape library agreement with ADIC.

EMC is selling its Centera fixed-content array and its DL300 and DL700 tape virtualization appliances directly against tape, said the solution provider

"EMC wants to sell their software and their (disk) spindles," the partner said. "Everything else is in the way. If EMC is OEMing tape, then the tape doesn't have the margin of disk and software. If you were steering that ship, which way would you go?"

In addition to the ADIC deal, EMC plans to continue selling its integrated EMC Data Manager with a tape library from Quantum, said Elias.