Iomega wireless African price reductions

Catering to a rapidly growing demand from the small and medium enterprise market, Iomega, a global leader in data storage, recently announced the release in SA of the new Iomega NAS 100d entry-level network-attached storage (NAS) server.

Now at an even lower price point through the Datashuttle channel.

Available in 160GB and 250GB capacities, Iomega`s NAS 100d servers feature wireless network capabilities and offer flexible, easily expandable network storage for small business and home office networks in a form factor small enough to be run on an office desk.

"Today, everyone, no matter how small the business, wrestles with the problem of securing critical data," said Robert Kennedy, Account Manager for Iomega in SA. "With the new NAS 100d server, Iomega is not only introducing an easy-to-manage and reliable network storage device designed for a small budget, we`re also giving users the flexibility of built-in wireless access and archiving capability."

Iomega is looking to exploit the huge market opportunity for entry-level NAS servers, with 5 million `under $5 000` servers forecast to ship this year worldwide and 1.6 million `under EUR4 100` servers forecast to ship this year in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, according to Gartner.

Robin Burke, Research VP for Gartner (EMEA), believes there is a definite market for vendors of entry-level NAS appliances coupled with real end-user needs for easy-to-install and use NAS appliances - not only to increase internal system storage capacity, but, also to provide convenient multiple operating system file storage.

"Many SMEs have a mixture of platforms with Windows for applications, MAC OS for graphics and Unix for workstations," says Burke. "Affordable entry-level NAS can go a long way to solve their compatibility needs."

NAS servers act as storage appliances on a computer network, giving Windows, Mac, Unix and Linux PCs a storage and backup location as well as simplifying file sharing, backup and recovery in mixed computing environments. The NAS 100d server has the added convenience of wireless 802.11b/g networking capability for even greater flexibility in small networks.

Built-in wireless 802.11g support, backwards compatible with 802.11b, allows for wireless network traffic between a network and the NAS 100d server at up to 54 megabits per second. All wireless connections can be secured using the WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) protocol for robust protection against unauthorised access.

Iomega`s NAS 100d server is a universal plug-and-play device, so setup is fast and painless. Just connect the server to an available port on a router, switch or hub. Then use a Web browser to log in and configure the device. After configuration, the NAS 100d server is instantly available to all users on that network, with no need to run a separate setup tool on each client PC.

The Iomega NAS 100d server is designed inside and out for simpler network storage. The compact desktop package operates at a quiet 42.1dB, or less than the sound level of a typical desktop PC (48dB). Users can install, configure and manage it without wading through confusing and complicated operating procedures.

It is compatible with Windows, Unix, Linux and Mac OS X environments, and it can deliver instant access to shared storage via a wireless or standard Ethernet network. Altogether, the NAS 100d server provides a complete "network storage in a box" solution for small office/home office users, branch offices and workgroups.

Each NAS 100d server includes award-winning Iomega Automatic Backup software, a complete client backup solution that supports multiple networked PCs. Iomega Automatic Backup software installs in minutes and makes the process of backing up completely automatic.

Users can set Iomega Automatic Backup software to do backups without user input. They simply select the files and folders they want protected, and the software takes care of the rest, without depending on them to push a backup button or run a backup program. Restoring a file from the Iomega NAS 100d server is just as easy-just drag and drop.