Future Versions of Platform Software Will Integrate LTO-6 Archive Management
ProMax Systems said it has acquired Cache-A, the maker of archive appliances including Prime-Cache, Pro-Cache, and Power Cache. ProMax said it will continue to sell and support the Cache-A product line, but plans to integrate those archival tools more closely with its Platform software interface.
Launched in 2008, Cache-A built desktop and rack-mounted archive appliances that supported TAR as well as LTFS formats on LTO tape, and has been an effective evangelist for LTO tape as an economical long-term storage platform for media and entertainment.
"ProMax and Cache-A have worked together for many years," ProMax VP of Marketing David Carter told StudioDaily. "We started talking to them in the last three or four months about this opportunity, and it has taken shape from there. For us, it aligns very well with our strategy of improving the content-creation process. All of our technology solutions are designed around that goal and, by adding the Cache-A product family to our line-up, we're able to further extend and develop an integrated toolset for our customers."
At IBC, the company plans to show the latest version of its Platform software, which will make the first moves toward a combined ProMax and Cache-A workflow. "The goal down the line is that the Cache-A archive appliances will be managed centrally through the ProMax Platform softare," Carter said. "At IBC you'll certainly see a new interface and the potential for centrally managing those things, but we won't have the Cache-A integration down at that point."
All of Cache-A's business operations are being transitioned to ProMax, which will honor all existing Cache-A support contracts and warranties, Carter said. He said decisions have not yet been made about how many members of the Cache-A team may be kept on board following the acquisition.
"I think it's very positive news, both for Cache-A's customers and for our customers," Carter said. "We fully intend to upgrade all aspects of the Cache-A solution — not just the ProMax features, but the customer-support experience, as well. That's a great thing for Cache-A customers, and for ProMax customers this just accelerates our product-development cycle. We'll be able to deliver more effective and valuable solutions quicker than before."
