An integral part of BakBone Software's Storage Management Initiative, Tracer Technologies offers a full range of data management solutions for corporate file, database and video server applications. The latest addition to Tracer's XFS file system suite, the Universal Disk Format (UDF) file system, provides a standardized means for interchanging a DVD-RAM file between heterogeneous operating systems.

Tracer's MagnaVault, which includes a high-performance UNIX device driver and enhanced file system software for stand-alone DVD-RAM drives, is targeted for CAD/CAM/CAE applications, as well as graphics and video production where designers collaborate on projects.

Financial institutions, medical facilities, government agencies and other organizations that utilize data warehousing, extranets or EDI can achieve increased productivity and substantial savings by leveraging the benefits of rewritable DVD with Tracer's MagnaVault for DVD jukeboxes. MagnaVault's powerful jukebox management software makes all of the DVD-RAM discs in the jukebox appear to be mounted simultaneously. Users can browse the contents of the jukebox as if the files were on a hard drive, and can access application and database software as always, without making changes to their existing system.

Tracer's Big File System (BFS), designed to accommodate higher-capacity DVD-RAM media, offers time- and space-saving features such as disc caching and reclaiming of disc space when a file is deleted. In jukebox applications, the BFS can be used to span multiple pieces of DVD-RAM media containing a large database, training videos, conferences, etc.

"Tracer software products are used daily in thousands of installations ranging from government agencies and major movie studios to brokerage houses and educational institutions," said Jeff Saake, Group General Manager of Panasonic Industrial Company's Computer Technologies Group. "Tracer's MagnaVault data management software is designed to enhance the random access capabilities of our DVD-RAM drive, making volumes of information readily accessible across networks, between operating systems and between architectures--within seconds."

Offering a data transfer rate of up to 22.16Mb/sec, a 2MB cache buffer, and a disc capacity of 4.7GB per side, the Panasonic rewritable DVD drive provides both the performance and the capacity demanding applications require for a storage cost of only .005 cents/MB. With the drive, businesses, content developers and consumers have a single, cost-effective solution for developing, storing, editing and playing theater-quality DVD videos; adding low-cost, removable storage for presentations and downloads from the Web; and backing up Gigabytes of data and images on highly reliable, rewritable media with a 30-year data life.

"The performance and capacity improvements, combined with a very low storage cost, will make the new Panasonic DVD-RAM drives very attractive to organizations that need fast access to libraries of data, image-enhanced documents and videos," said Mike Barcus, Tracer's director of sales and marketing. "These features, plus the drive's ability to play back CDs and DVD videos, will simplify the decision to upgrade to a Tracer-supported DVD-RAM stand-alone drive or jukebox."

Featuring a web-based, point-and-click Graphical User Interface (GUI), installation of the Tracer DVD-RAM applications is simplified, and administration can be from anywhere on the Internet.

Pricing, Availability

Magna and MagnaVault are available for immediate delivery through leading VARs, distributors, system integrators and OEMs worldwide. Tracer Technologies' feature-rich data management software for UNIX and Linux operating systems supports the Panasonic DVD-RAM drive and other leading DVD Forum standard DVD-ROM and DVD-RAM drives. Platforms supported include IBM-AIX, DEC Tru64, HP-UX, SGI IRIX, Sun Solaris, and SCO UnixWare as well as other leading UNIX and Linux environments.

Panasonic Industrial Company's 4.7GB OEM DVD-RAM drive is available as an internal drive with a SCSI-2 interface (model LF-D291N) or with an ATAPI interface (model LF-D211N). . The Panasonic-branded internal drive, model LF-D201U, is available from Panasonic Document Imaging Company (PDIC) and has an MSRP of $549. DVD-RAM media, which is marketed under the Panasonic brand name, is available from several other leading manufacturers. The double-sided 9.4GB cartridge has an MSRP of $44.95. The 4.7GB single-sided media has an MSRP of $29.95. The 4.7GB bare disc DVD-RAM media has an MSRP of $24.95 and can be played back on the latest Panasonic DVD-ROM drives, as well as Panasonic's new DVD Player and DVD Recorder.

About Panasonic

Panasonic is the best known brand name of Osaka, Japan-based Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE: MC), one of the world's leading producers of electronic and electric products for consumer business and industrial use. Additional information on Panasonic and Matsushita Electric is available at www.panasonic.com.

For more information on the Panasonic DVD-RAM OEM drive and media, contact Panasonic Industrial Company, 1600 McCandless Drive, Milpitas, CA 95035; 408.945-5600, FAX 408.262-4214, E-mail berzind@panasonic.com. Or, visit the company's Web site at www.panasonic.com/oemdvd-ram. For more information on Panasonic-branded DVD-RAM drives and media, contact Panasonic Document Imaging Company, Two Panasonic Way 7D-9, Secaucus, NJ 07030 800-742-8086, www.panasonic.com/storage or E-mail marusicm@panasonic.com. In Canada, contact Panasonic Canada, Ambler Drive, Mississauga, Ontario L4W 2T3, Canada; (905) 238-2254, FAX (905) 238-2414, E-mail rkwong@panasonic.ca.

About Tracer/BakBone Software, Inc.

Tracer Technologies is a subsidiary of BakBone Software, Inc., an international storage management software company that develops and globally distributes industry-leading storage management solutions to the open systems markets, providing data protection and management solutions scalable from office to enterprise that will grow with a company's needs. BakBone's corporate headquarters is located at 10145 Pacific Heights Boulevard, San Diego, CA. 92121. Its stock is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and is included on the TSE 300 Composite, S&P/TSE Canadian SmallCap and TSE 200 indices. For more information on Tracer and BakBone products, call 858-450-9009, e-mail sales@bakbone.com, or access www.bakbone.com.

Tracer Technologies and Bakbone Software are not a part or in any way legally affiliated with Panasonic Industrial Company. Panasonic Industrial Company assumes no responsibility for the performance of or customer satisfaction with Tracer or Bakbone products. All company and/or product names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective manufacturers. Features, pricing, availability and specifications are subject to change without notice. The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein.