Tandberg Data offers RDX customers free iPad 2

Storage vendor hopes to drive channel sales of recently acquired disk technology with promotional incentive

Storage vendor Tandberg Data is aiming to boost UK sales of its recently acquired RDX disk platform with a channel programme designed to help partners lure in new customers.

The vendor has been selling RDX under licence from competitor ProStor since 2006 but acquired the rights to the kit earlier this year. To help fuel sales, Tandberg Data is running a promotion until the end of next month allowing its resellers to offer all end users buying an RDX QuikStation a free iPad 2.

The vendor claims the Apple device's web browser will allow customers to manage their removable disk automation process. For end users purchasing a single-drive RDX product, Tandberg Data will give them a free QuikStor dock for every three cartridges they buy.

Graham Paterson, EMEA senior vice president at the storage vendor, said: "It's great that we have put in place these incentives to create further momentum around the RDX platform. It is even better that we can link in the customer giveaway with iPad 2 (pictured) technology that can then act as the management platform for backup devices. We hope that as many partners as possible will embrace these offers."

Tandberg Data works in the UK through distributors Micro Peripherals (Micro-P), Northamber and CMS Peripherals. Simon Barnard, general manager of technical sales at Micro-P, claimed allowing resellers to position the technology with a free dock is "the perfect way to introduce end users to RDX".

"There are still a lot of companies out there struggling with old DAT and AIT tape drives and RDX offers a way to upgrade and get the benefits of disk-based backup while keeping the ability to remove the media for safe off-site storage," he explained.