Iomega Introduces CD-RW Drive and
Discs for File Storage and Sharing on a CD
ROY, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June
21, 1999--Iomega Corporation, a leader in the smart, portable
storage solution market today announced its entry into the optical
storage market with its first CD-ReWritable (CD-RW) drive,
ZipCD(TM). Designed for corporations, PC enthusiasts and Internet
users, ZipCD will give users the ability to back-up, archive,
transport, share and create up to 650 MB of data on a common CD
format. For customers who appreciate the portability and ease of
use that they have come to expect from Iomega solutions, and for
any computer user who wants a new way to save personalized content
for back-up and entertainment, ZipCD is an ideal solution for
their high-capacity storage needs.
With ZipCD, companies, both large
and small, can now back-up and archive data, as well as transport
and share important files and presentations on a common CD format.
For PC enthusiasts and Internet users, ZipCD is also a fun and
useful product for saving and sharing original music, photos,
games, Internet content and more.
"We are excited to announce
ZipCD, the first optical product from Iomega," said David Gantt,
vice president and general manager of Optical Products. "Iomega
recognizes our customers' need for a high capacity storage
solution that uses a common CD format and that enhances the
Company's overall storage product portfolio. The drive will ship
with bundled software and include an animated installation tour so
customers can begin using ZipCD quickly and easily."
The internal E-IDE 4x4x24 drive
will be the first in Iomega's line of optical products. Iomega
anticipates that the drive will be priced competitively. The drive
is expected to begin shipping in the second half of 1999 at
www.iomegadirect and through Iomega's extensive distribution
network.
"The introduction of CD
writers by Iomega will have a significant impact on the optical
storage market," said David Bunzel, Santa Clara Consulting Group,
"Iomega has established a strong brand franchise and effective
distribution strategy that will help to propel its forward
momentum in this industry."
According to Santa Clara
Consulting Group, more than 14 million CD-R and CD-RW drives are
expected to ship worldwide in 1999(a). With the opening of the
Company's new Optical Center based in Longmont, Colorado, Iomega
is well positioned to tap into this growing market segment and
offer a complementary optical option to its current product line.
Product users can now pre-master and create content on their Zip®,
Jaz® and Clik!(TM) drives, and then transfer the information to a
ZipCD for archiving, portability and compatibility on a common CD
format.
ZipCD Bundled Software
Iomega brings ease-of-use to ZipCD
users by bundling a wide array of software tools and accessories.
Adaptec® DirectCD(TM) - Packet writing software enabling
"drag-n-drop" functionality
-- Adaptec® Easy CD Creator(TM) -
CD record/copy software
- Avery® Media Software - Iomega
special edition to format CD labels and jewel case inserts
- Iomega® QuikSync - Software
that executes simultaneous back-ups of active files within
user designated folders
- Adobe® PhotoShop® 5.0 LE -
Software for digital image enhancement, photo retouching, and
image compositing
- ZipCD animated installation
tour so users can begin using the product quickly and easily
Save, Edit and Share Information
on ZipCD Discs
For the first time, Iomega also
plans to sell CD-RW and CD-R discs. For users interested in saving
and editing information on a CD, Iomega plans to offer ZipCD CD-RW
Premium and Combo discs, which are expected to be available in
July. ZipCD Premium CD-RW discs are expected to come preformatted,
saving users valuable time and to be available in packs of three
at an ESP of $19.99 (U.S.). ZipCD Combo CD-RW discs are expected
to come with one pre-formatted disc and two unformatted discs and
to be available at an ESP of $12.99 (U.S.).
For users interested in saving or
archiving data that cannot be accidently erased, Iomega plans to
offer ZipCD CD-R discs in the second half of the year that will
come in a variety of colors for fun and organization.
About Iomega
Iomega Corporation manufactures
and markets the award-winning Zip®, Jaz® and Clik!(TM) drives
and disks that help people organize, manage, create, exchange and
share their important information. Used in homes, businesses,
government, education and by creative professionals everywhere,
Iomega storage solutions are the enabling technologies preferred
by millions. The Company can be reached at 1-800-MY-STUFF
(800-697-8833), or on the Web at http://www.iomega.com.
Special note: Statements contained
in this release relating to the expected availability and pricing
of ZipCD are forward-looking statements. There are number of
important factors that could cause actual events to differ
materially from those indicated by such forward-looking
statements, including market acceptance of, and demand for,
Iomega's ZipCD products, manufacturing, development and
distribution issues, product pricing, competition, intellectual
property rights and other risks identified in Iomega's Annual
Report to Stockholders for 1998 on Form 10-K, filed March 26, 1999
and its most recent quarterly reports filed with the SEC.
Iomega, Zip, Jaz and the stylized
"i" logo are registered trademarks, and ZipCD and Clik! are
trademarks of Iomega Corporation. All other products and brand
names are the property of their respective owners. For maximum
reliability, use only genuine Zip disks featuring the genuine Zip
100 or 250 symbols in your Zip drive.
- (a) Total 1998 CD-R/RW drives
shipped: 5.7 million units (3.7 million CD-RW). Source: Santa
Clara Consulting Group - January 1999.
Contact:
Iomega Corporation, Roy
Wendy Applonie, 801/332-3261
[email protected]
Investor Relations, 801/332-3542 (Analysts/Investors)
[email protected]
or
Copithorne & Bellows
Tina Wilmott, 415/975-2242
[email protected]
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