Exebyte and Ecrix to merge

Further consolidation in tape market

The tape market saw further consolidation last week, as it was announced that tape storage vendors Exebyte and Ecrix have agreed to merge.

Kieran Maloney, director of marketing for Ecrix, explained that both companies will continue to operate until the merger is completed by the end of the year, and will then operate under the Exebyte name.

"Exebyte is an established name and has a broad presence in the channel," he said.

"It will mean our combined channel partners can benefit from the additional support locations, and Ecrix's OEM partners will benefit from knowing there is less risk being involved with a start-up, since we have the name of Exebyte with us."

Maloney was unable to confirm that any new product was being developed, and added that some job losses were expected.

Bob Peyton, director of European storage research at analysts IDC, said the merger will bring both short- and long-term benefits for resellers.

"In the short term, it will give channel partners confidence that both companies will be around for longer than they might otherwise have been.

"In the long term, they will be able to build the company and plan longer product roadmaps so partners know what to expect," he said.