SSD-Agnostic Cache Software Accelerates Windows Server Storage Performance on NetApp Storage Systems

SANTA ANA, Calif., July 18, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- sTec, Inc. (NASDAQ: STEC), a leading global provider of solid-state storage solutions, announced that sTec® EnhanceIO™ SSD Cache Software has been tested and validated by NetApp for integration with NetApp® storage systems in Windows Server environments. EnhanceIO is among the industry's first solid-state drive (SSD)-agnostic caching software. This validation enables customers utilizing NetApp storage systems to have access to proven performance-enhancing caching software for their Data ONTAP® infrastructure. For specific configurations supported, please check NetApp's Interoperability Matrix (IMT).

"Our compatible server caching partners are part of an ecosystem of tested and validated solutions that help to enhance the performance and predictability of mission-critical applications," said Tim Russell, vice president, Data Lifecycle Ecosystem Group, NetApp. "Partner solutions, such as sTec's EnhanceIO software for Windows Server, can extend the benefits of virtual storage tiering to the enterprise server level, improving application responsiveness and increasing overall system throughput."

"sTec's unwavering goal of accelerating applications in data centers and cloud-computing systems demands alignment of our enterprise-class solid-state storage solutions with those of fellow industry leaders such as NetApp," said Zack Mihalis, vice president of product marketing and management, sTec. "Achieving validation for EnhanceIO helps assure that those applications realize maximum reliability, performance and efficiency in NetApp environments."

EnhanceIO SSD Cache Software is designed to help users easily create, configure and analyze existing storage environments with cost-effective scalability. It provides non-disruptive, fast and consistent caching that greatly improves application performance while reducing latency with improved data integrity. The software includes many features that can all be accessed via a graphical user or command-line interface that also displays additional statistics and analytics to deliver increased productivity. EnhanceIO is ideal for database, "big data" and virtualization applications, where the software provides nonintrusive performance enhancement by fluidly integrating into existing storage infrastructures and increasing input/output (I/O) levels.

EnhanceIO was developed to simplify management of NetApp and other enterprise storage systems, and its functionality is winning fans. Due to the popularity of the software's Profiler feature, that component is now also available separately for free and unlimited use. Profiler empowers IT managers to optimize storage by identifying a caching strategy for specific data center workloads, boosting performance and maximizing existing solid-state or rotating-disk storage hardware investments.

For more information

http://solutionconnection.netapp.com/stec.aspx

www.stec-inc.com/products/enhanceio-ssd-cache-software/

About sTec, Inc.

sTec, Inc. is a leading global provider of enterprise-class, solid-state storage solutions designed for the ever-growing performance, reliability and endurance requirements of today's advanced data centers. The industry's first company to deploy solid-state drives (SSDs) into large-scale enterprise environments, sTec offers the industry's widest range of solid-state storage solutions, which protect critical information for major business and government organizations worldwide. Headquartered in Santa Ana, California, sTec also serves the embedded and military/aerospace markets with SSDs for industrial and rugged environments. For more information, visit www.stec-inc.com.

sTec, the sTec logo and EnhanceIO are either registered trademarks or trademarks of sTec, Inc. in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks or brand names referred to herein are the property of their respective owners.

NetApp, the NetApp logo, Go further, faster, and Data ONTAP are trademarks or registered trademarks of NetApp, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including those statements concerning the benefits, capabilities, performance, and cost savings from the incorporation of sTec's EnhanceIO SSD Cache Software into NetApp storage systems, including NetApp's Data ONTAP infrastructure, running on the Windows Server environment; success of sTec's solid-state solutions in accelerating applications in data centers and cloud-computing systems; the benefits, capabilities, and cost-effectiveness of incorporating sTec's EnhanceIO SSD Cache Software into existing environments, including database, "big data," and virtualization applications; customer response to, and adoption and utilization of, sTec's EnhanceIO SSD Cache Software; and the benefits and capabilities of sTec's EnhanceIO SSD Cache Software Profiler feature. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current expectations. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements are detailed in filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, made from time to time by sTec, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and its subsequent Current Reports on Form 8-K, which are available on the Investor Relations section of sTec's website at www.stec-inc.com. The information contained in this press release is a statement of sTec's present intentions, beliefs or expectations. sTec may change its intentions, beliefs or expectations, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, from sTec's assumptions and otherwise. Except as required by law, sTec undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date thereof, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

sTec, Inc.
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