Maxtor is set to launch a new alternative to NAS appliances next month, offering a quick installation and storage solutions for small businesses. The Maxtor Shared Storage solution features a single hard drive with an external housing and a 10/100-Mbps Ethernet port that can be easily connected to a home or small-business network, according to Paul Streit, senior manager of branded marketing at the company.
This device provides cost-effective shared storage for users looking to enhance their data backup and archiving capabilities, with list prices starting at $300 for a 200-Gbyte model and $400 for a 300-Gbyte version. Maxtor plans to make the solution available through retailers, direct marketers, and distributors like Bell Microproducts and Ingram Micro, giving solution providers the chance to better assist their small-business clients.
Streit highlighted the potential for the Maxtor Shared Storage solution in various settings, such as a small graphics shop seeking network capabilities for printing and storage needs. “VARs are called upon to add a much broader set of capabilities than customers can handle themselves,” he noted.
Brian Lisse, owner of Madison Computer Works in Wisconsin, expressed enthusiasm for the Maxtor solution, identifying several small-business accounts that could benefit from it. While he believes the price may be steep for home users, Lisse sees it as an ideal backup device for small businesses.