PSS is the first company to advance CD-R technology - allowing the recorder to be shared or moved to different computers creating backups which can be read or restored from previously installed CD drives. This ability to share or move the CD-Recorder to different computers affords a quick return on investment of CD-Recording costs. The ShareStoretm CD-Recorder is an external CD reader/recorder system that is a 2X CD Writer and a 6X CD reader. The ShareStoretm ships with a variety of software applications to support mobile CD recording and CD creation as a backup solution.
The ShareStoretm CD-Recorder does not require installation of additional controller boards like other CD-R devices, but uses the standard parallel port for its connection. This unique design enables the ShareStoretm to be moved easily between computers. Backing up to a CD-Recorder has many advantages over the traditional means of tape drives or removable magnetic mass storage devices. Some of these advantages are reduced cost per megabyte, the ability to randomly access anything on the backup, the ability to execute applications right off the backup CD and the robust non-erasable nature of the CD media itself.
Mobile computing has long needed a backup solution as laptop computers are often targeted for theft, get broken or require service much more often than desktop computers due to their more demanding environments. The ShareStoretm CD-Recording solution is a very elegant mobile data integrity solution. If the laptop is lost, damaged or stolen, any DOS/Windows computer can be used to gain access to the data or applications from the previously recorded CD-R backup. This same CD-R can be used to restore the applications and data onto the laptop after it is fixed or replaced. This is without the difficulty previously associated with recording data to CDs. Its affordable price brings CD recording within reach of the vast majority of businesses using PC's in DOS/Windows mobile environments.
The ShareStoretm CD-Recorder includes everything needed for installation and custom CD recording. The compact drive, an external 6x CD reader and 2x CD recorder, requires no installation. It lets users record up to 650MB of data or 74 minutes of audio on a single CD-R disc. It also reads standard digital and audio CDs. The package includes two blank CD-R discs, the PortaSCSItm (see Byte Magazine, August 1996, volume 21., No. 8., pg. 186.) mobile interface and manuals. Bundled software allows users to perform a number of CD recording and retrieval tasks. The software includes the Easy-CD, an extension of the Windows file manager for easy file transfer to CD.
The CD-R media, packaged with the drive, and available separately, has a 100-year life, making it ideal for permanent record storage and archiving. ShareStoretm media recorded on the CD-Recorder can be read by IBM PC and Macintosh computers equipped with CD-ROM drives and appropriate software.
"The introduction of the ShareStore CD-Recorder is a significant milestone in the development of CD-Recording, it's the first CD-Recorder allowing the creation of CD-ROMs from notebook computers. The ShareStore can also be moved from computer to computer without having to install a drive or controller. This allows for the creation of a computer/node specific backup which can be used to restore data in the event of hardware failure or loss of the host. This is important because laptops often get damaged or stolen," said David Schultze, general manager of Portable Systems Solution's Subsystem Group. "There are more than 25 million CD readers installed, making CDs practically a universal media. This product allows businesses to tap the potential of this universal media in the creation and distribution of information."
In the past, recording to CD was not only expensive, it meant dealing with a number of technical considerations that made the process difficult, including drive and controller installation "under the hood". The design of this new drive, coupled with a powerful suite of easy-to-use software, brings CD recording to the field as well as the desktop where it's needed by today's PC users.
With this drive, CDs become a practical, low-cost media for a number of information storage, retrieval and distribution applications. These include the following:
For media compatibility with the large installed base of CD readers, the ShareStoretm CD-Recorder conforms to all current industry standards for recording and reading data on CDs. These include Red Book/Digital Audio, Yellow Book/CD-ROM. Green Book/CD-Interactive, Orange Book/CD-MO, and CD-WO, Orange Book/CD-R, White Book/Video CD, and ISO 9060 Logical File Formats.
US Price and Availability
The ShareStoretm CD-Recorder M.S.R.P. is $1,150 US and is expected to sell for less than $1,000 US. The CD-R media is $16 US (each) and is expected to sell for about $10 US. Both are expected to be available in October. Dealer prices may vary.
Portable Systems Solutions, Inc. has been providing mobile computing interface and interconnect solutions since 1990 and specializes in field force automation, field service and mobile computing solutions. All PSS products are based on proprietary ASIC technology, providing a sleek design and the lowest possible component count. The ShareStoretm CD-Recorder is designed for tough "Field Service" usage, the most rugged of mobile computing applications.
PSS welcomes distribution and custom OEM packaging inquiries. For additional information and mobile computing insight, compiled from years of field service, sales/field force automation and route accounting applications, see PSS' Web site at http://www.portascsi.com.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Readers who want more information may contact:
Portable Systems Solutions, Inc. 4048 E. Superior Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85040-1731 800- 340-SCSI (7274) (602) 437-9103/FAX 602-437-9860 Email share.store@portascsi.com