With digital technology on the rise, data is quickly becoming the central core of an enterprise’s value. Data is what guides companies to make consumer focused decisions in order to improve products and services in a competitive market. Data destruction is not usually top of mind for most organizations. That’s why realizing the potential security and financial risks companies face by not properly destroying their data is detrimental to future success.

The proper steps must be taken to prevent data breaches and ensure your customers’ and organization’s sensitive data has been completely disposed of. In order to get a better understanding of why protecting your data is important, let’s explore data destruction behavior and its impact.

Impacts on Your Company

With improper data destruction practices, some of the negative consequences your company could potentially face include:

  • Loss of customer trust
  • Negative company reputation
  • Financial damages & liability
  • Possible government action and sanctions

The cost of proper data destruction is minimal compared with the potential costs of someone accessing your personal data. According to Protiviti, a global business consultant firm for Fortune 1000 and 500 companies, “One in three companies lack policies for information security and data encryption.” Having a secure data destruction process is crucial. Much of the time, sensitive data ends up in the hands of IT employees without the proper procedure to properly dispose of critical information. Hackers are aware of this common issue and are readily available to steal your enterprise’s crown jewels.

Many companies are migrating to the cloud and may relocate their data centers every few years, leaving servers full of private information. Just as any other company, data centers must make sure they plan ahead for data destruction processes in order to stay within the set budget and with minimal operational interruptions for their clients.

For proper data destruction practices, make sure you take electronics to a reliable third party service if your organization does not perform data destruction services in-house. To prevent your company from external data leaks, make sure you are properly destroying old storage media or hire someone who is trusted to do it for you efficiently and eco-friendly like Big Data Supply, Inc. Our processes meet or exceed all laws, acts and compliance regarding data destruction such as HIPPA, Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), Department of Defense (DOD) and more.

Conclusion

Here at Big Data Supply, Inc., we offer an eco-friendly e-waste recycling program for all tape formats and brands. We comply with multiple laws regarding consumer data including HIPAA, FACTA, SEC, and more. Contact us today and we’ll take care of your data destruction needs no matter how large or small.

We Buy New and Used Servers - Send us a List!

We Buy New and Used Servers - Send us a List!

If you’ve found yourself wondering what exactly you are going to do with one or more of your used servers, you aren’t alone. We at Big Data Supply are constantly in touch with customers who aren’t quite sure what they should do and help them to make the best decision.

The beauty of today is that there are more options than you may be aware of… but first thing is first. The number one concern of all organizations should be the security of the data within a used server. Before you go chucking a server in a dumpster or donating it to an organization, it is vital that you destroy all data.

Not only can your data get into the wrong hands, you can face huge fines and negative recourse if you aren’t carefully following industry standards for data destruction. This leaves you with the task of taking inventory of all the data that needs to be destroyed and making sure you have the means to destroy the data.

This is where we often come in for organizations…

Our team works to make sure that all data found on servers is completely eradicated. Beyond data destruction, we buy servers for top dollar. Rather than throwing away a server that you paid a small fortune for, you have the power to recoup some of your initial investment.

We recycle all reusable servers and then make them available to other organizations. This is good for a number of reasons including —

- Your servers won’t end up in landfills or be incinerated (sending horrid toxins into the environment).
- Perfectly good used electronics don’t go to waste.
- It’s simply the eco-friendly thing to do.
- You walk away with cash or credit!

The beauty of selling your used IT equipment like old CPU, used desktops, used laptops and used GPU to Big Data Supply is that you don’t have to worry — at all. Our recycling process is streamlined, and we do everything within our power to make the experience painless.

If for some reason you don’t choose to recycle your used servers and decide to throw them away, it all goes back to data security. It is essential that you find a way to completely eradicate all data.

Have questions about your servers or data storage infrastructure? We’d be happy to help. Please give us a call or shoot an e-mail our way.

Info@BigDataSupplyInc.com | Toll Free 800-905-7329 | Local 949-679-6633

Sony has upped the ante for magnetic tape by developing a version that can store up to 185 terabytes of data. This is more than 74 times that of traditional magnetic tapes!

The company has made this possible thanks to the ability to utilize sputter deposition. If you aren’t familiar with the concept, it’s quite scientific. Ions are shot onto a layer of polymer film substrate, which produces layers of tiny magnetic crystal particles on a smooth surface.

This is quite amazing, as the more particles that fit into magnetic tape, the more data that can be stored over time.

Put in more simple terms, what Sony has accomplished is so massive that its new tape may rival and even surpass top digital technologies. Imagine — one single Sony tape will offer 74 times the capacity of a traditional data tape and 3,700 times a single Blu-Ray disc.

While in theory these tapes could be used by individuals, Sony is targeting organizations that need to store large amounts of data.

There are also a few reasons we happen to love LTO-6 — Known as the LTO Ultrium 6 Tape, each cartridge can hold up to 2.5 native and 6.25 compressed data. It also boasts of 160 MB/s native and 400 MB/s compressed transfer rates.

1. It is affordable and economical over time.
2. Data tape can be recycled and reused.
3. It’s very stable.

Sony and other developers of LTO tape see the writing on the wall. They understand that organizations are continually tasked storing massive amounts of data on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. The cost of digital-only storage is skyrocketing — making tape more relevant than ever.

Want to learn more about Sony (or other brands) tape? We would love to answer your questions and help point you in the right direction. Give us a call or drop us an e-mail.

Contact us today: Info@BigDataSupplyInc.com | Toll Free 800-905-7329 | Local 949-679-6633

Magnetic tape happens to be one of the oldest and most reliable recording technologies ever created. It uses a spool of linearly oriented tape that is composed of several layers, including a magnetic layer, that passes under a read-write head to record binary bit info into tracks.

As time has progressed, tape cartridges have improved by leaps and bounds. Newest versions, such as the LTO-6 can be used much like disks. Data can be written and retrieved faster than ever.

Another key discovery was IBM and Fujifim’s discovery and use of barium ferrite (BaFe). It is a relatively new tape media coating technology and magnetic particle that lends to tape’s reliability, stability, and efficiency.

While there are several types of tape available, LTO tape is quickly emerging as the leader of the pack. Small, medium, and semi-large organizations are continuing to adopt LTO for data archiving and more.

According to Fujifilm, the past 12 years have seen more than 4 million LTO tape drives and nearly 200 million cartridges shipped. The LTO-6 boasts of 6.25 TB of compressed capacity and an impressive transfer rate of 400 MB/sec.

Beyond LTO tape, other popular tape formats include Oracle’s Sun/STK tape drive and cartridge (for huge organizations), the T10000C (which is much faster than LTO tape and hold quite a bit more data), and IBM’s TS1140 (which rivals Oracle’s Sun/STK in both speed and cost).

Why Tape is Not Dead

Tape isn’t dead for a number of very relevant reasons:

1. It is cost-effective. Disk only solutions tend to be much more expensive.
2. It is reliable. Tape is the most data storage medium on the market.
3. It lasts for 30 years and more. When stored in a stable environment, you can be sure that tape will last for decades.
4. It can’t be hacked. Disks can be hacked and are susceptible to bugs, while tape is stored offline and can’t be touched — unless of course a tape gets into the wrong hands.
5. Tape is recyclable.

Experts are still predicting that tape will play a much larger role in the near future. Organizations are learning the hard way that data can be wiped from disks and lost from the cloud. Backing up data on tape is a must.

Want to learn more about tape? Drop as an e-mail with your questions and we’ll answer!

Contact us today: Info@BigDataSupplyInc.com | Toll Free 800-905-7329 | Local 949-679-6633

We Buy New and Used Data Tape Media. LTO, 3592, AIT, QIC, ETC...

We Buy New and Used Data Tape Media. LTO, 3592, AIT, QIC, ETC...

Each and every day, we are approached by organizations and individuals who are wanting to sell used data tape cartridges. Their decision to do so is usually motivated by a few factors.

1. 100% Data Destruction
2. Complete Chain-of-Custody
3. An auditable reporting process for compliance
4. Eco-friendly
5. Recoup a part of initial investment

The beauty of tape is that it can be used time and time again. Unfortunately, the majority of tape users either aren’t aware of this fact or don’t know where to turn to for recycling.

Our customers love working with us for a number of reasons, including:

• We are very easy to work with.
• We arrange everything. — making sure tapes are picked up, evaluated, expunged of data, and ready to be used again.
• We pay top dollar.
• We help them meet regulatory standards for data erasure.

Simply put, we take all the stress out of the process.

To gain cash for your used tape, here’s how it works:

1. Take an inventory of the tapes you want to recycle.
2. E-mail or call us with as much info as possible on your inventory: Format | Version | Brand | Quantity | Condition
3. We’ll provide a quote.
4. We’ll arrange for shipment.
5. We’ll erase, test and inspect your tapes to make sure they are recyclable.
6. We’ll send you a check or issue a credit for IT equipment of your choice.

Our job is to completely relieve our clients of all worries and frustrations surrounding the recycling and data erasure process.

Have questions about selling tape? We’ll be happy to answer them all and help make the process amazingly easy.

Drop us an e-mail or give us a call to get started!

Info@BigDataSupplyInc.com | Toll Free 800-905-7329 | Local 949-679-6633

One the biggest challenges for organizations in the digital age is finding smart and creative ways for disposing of used technologies — especially with the never ending stream of data being created on a regular basis.

Wildly enough, a California Berkley Study found that 93 percent of all newly created information stored on planet earth is digital. Each year the amount of digital information across the globe is doubling. This translates to all sorts of disk drives and tape out there jam-packed with data, much of which is governed by various regulatory bodies.

Depending on the regulatory body (HIPPA, Gramm-Leach-Bliley, Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), etc.), there are rules surrounding the disposal of tape and disk media. It is important you pay close attention to data disposal regulations, while outlining a plan that will best suit your needs.

The following are some recommendations, we feel you should consider:

Recycling
First and foremost, we recommend looking into recycling. Sadly enough, a very small percentage of tape is recycled each year (less than 3%). This doesn't make sense on many levels. Having tape removed and physically destroyed can be costly and toxic to the environment.

It can cost between $2 and $5 per tape to have them destroyed, while recycling can be quite be lucrative and is completely secure.

For example, our new and used tape buyback program provides top dollar (up to $50 per used tape) for tape that can be reused by other organizations/individuals.

Data Eradication & Dumping Tape
If you plan to dump data-filled tapes, it is important you think deeply about how you will eradicate all data. In today’s world, one of the worst things you can do is throw used tape into dumpsters. You never know who will gain access to your data.

Also, before getting rid of old tape, you should definitely consider taking an inventory of what is on them. This can be quite time consuming, but you never know what you may be throwing away and how costly lost data can become.

One of the true benefits of our recycling program is that we must completely wipe all tapes clean before we make them available for resale. This translates to huge savings for organizations.

Use Tape Incineration as a Last Resort
We don’t recommend tape incineration for a number of reasons. Yes, it does eradicate all data, but it releases toxins into the environment. It’s often unfortunate because perfectly good tape is incinerated, when it could be reused again.

Want to learn more about tape recycling and data disposal? We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have. Drop us an e-mail or a call, and we’ll get you pointed in the very best direction!

Contact us today: Info@BigDataSupplyInc.com | Toll Free 800-905-7329 | Local 949-679-6633

Tape's Not Dead! Always Buying and Selling Data Tape Media. New and Used.

Tape's Not Dead! Always Buying and Selling Data Tape Media. New and Used.

Because of the advent of the Cloud and the popularity of disk for data storage, LTO tape has at times been overlooked and underestimated.

The following some leading LTO tape myths:

1. Tape Is Dead

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Tape is alive and thriving. This has much to do with the fact that tape a tape-only data structure infrastructure is very expensive and can be unstable. Also, the Cloud is still new territory that comes with some risk.

Tape isn’t dead for several reasons, but mainly because it provides a very stable medium for daily data backups. A growing number of organizations have realized the hard way what happens when disks fail them.

2. You Can’t Use LTO Tape Like a Hard Drive

The newest versions of LTO, the LTO-5 and LTO-6 have LTFS. This makes tape look like and work like a hard drive, which speeds up the process of saving, finding, and retrieving data.

It is true, however, that earlier versions of LTO tape don’t have this capability. This doesn’t make earlier tape cartridges ineffective. They still are amazingly stable and can be stored for 30 years and more.

3. Tape Is Going to Die Off in the Near Future

This is a big myth. The LTO Consortium actually has big plans, as it seeks to develop tapes with massive amounts of storage space. As energy prices continue to rise and organization’s data sets rise exponentially, the consortium intends to create new generations of tapes that will hold gargantuan amounts of data and boast of lightening-fast data transfer speeds.

Beyond the above three myths, it is important to reveal a handful of other truths:

- LTO holds even more value because it can be recycled.
- Plus, organizations can sell used tape and regain some of their initial investment.
- Stability makes it ideal for assuring that industry regulations for data storage are met.

Looking to buy new or used tape? We can help! Please either call or email our team, and we’ll help you gain access to the best pricing on the market.

We can also answer any questions you may have about tape.

support@BigDataSupplyInc.com | Toll Free 800-905-7329 | Local 714-647-9000

Send Us Your Old Gear... We Send You CASH!

Send Us Your Old Gear... We Send You CASH!

It’s a common story -- years go by and inevitably you find yourself staring into a sea of used tape cartridges that will never be looked at again, and you don’t quite know what to do when them. You consider throwing them into the dumpster or hauling them off to a dump.

These two options aren't the best for a number of reasons. Of course, there’s the chance that the data you've stored over the years could be fished out of a dumpster by your competitors or a crook looking for valuable data to steal.

Secondly, dumps and landfills are already filled with massive amounts of toxic e-waste that isn't doing the earth or our future generations any favors.

And thirdly, you may be missing out on a handful of cash by not recycling your LTO-2, LTO-3, LTO-4, LTO-5, LTO-6, 3592, and other tape formats.

At Big Data Supply, we are working with organizations of all sizes and individuals to let the world know that most used tape and numerous other technologies are perfectly good and should be recycled. Unfortunately, only a very small percentage (about 3%) of tape cartridges and related technologies are recycled.

This is why we buy tape, disk array, tape libraries, and a multitude of other technologies for top dollar.

Here’s how it works:

1. Drop us an e-mail or call us and provide our recycling team a list of technologies you want to sell.
2. We’ll make you an offer.
3. You sign-off on our purchase, and we’ll arrange for shipment.
4. Once we receive your recycled goods, we’ll make sure they work and send you a check for all items in good shape.
5. All tape cartridges will be degaussed and the data completely erased. (Certificate of Data Destruction Provided Upon Request)

Once your goods are recycled/refurbished, we then make it available for our clients.

By selling used tape and other data center technologies, we then help growing and thriving organizations keep their costs down. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.

Want to sell tape or other technologies as soon as possible? Give us a call or send us an email, and we’ll get started!

Whatever you do, think twice before throwing perfectly good technologies into landfills. We can all work together to make a difference!

Info@BigDataSupplyInc.com | Toll Free 800-905-7329 | Local 949-679-6633

We Buy New and Used Data Tape Media. LTO, 3592, AIT, QIC, ETC...

We Buy New and Used Data Tape Media. LTO, 3592, AIT, QIC, ETC...

Happy 2014! At Big Data Supply, we are amazed that the New Year has arrived so quickly. As the year unfolds, we will bring you all sorts of interesting facts, ideas, and stories surrounding data tape media.

To begin, we would like to share the importance of e-waste recycling. With only 3 percent of tape cartridges being recycled throughout the U.S., it is vital that organizations begin paying attention and taking action.

By choosing to recycle in 2014, your organization can:

• Keep perfectly good data hardware out of landfills.
• Greatly reduce the amounts of toxic gases from being released into the air. via incineration.
• Provide growing organizations the opportunity to purchase recycled goods and save money.
• Gain positive public relations for caring for the environment.
• Pave the way for a better future for today and tomorrow’s youth.

Plus, you can gain instant cash for selling new or used data tape media and other hardware. In fact, Big Data Supply pays top dollar for all tape cartridge formats including (but not limited to):

IBM 3592 JA, 300GB, 18P7534, 18P9271, 18P9263
IBM 3592 JB, 700GB, 23R9830, 23R9815, 23R9811
IBM 3592 JC, 4TB, 46X7452, 46X7452L, 46X7452LI
LTO-3, 400/800GB - All Brands
LTO-4, 800/1600GB - All Brands
LTO-5, 1.5/3TB - All Brands
LTO-6, 2.5/6.25TB - All Brands
8mm VXA X23, V23, X17, X10, X6, Exabyte or IBM
8mm VXA Cleaning Exabyte, IBM - New
SLR-5, 4/8GB - All Brands
MLR-1, 13/26GB, 16/32GB - All Brands
MLR / SLR Cleaning - All Brands New
4mm 170m DDS-5, DAT72 - all brands

We also pay top dollar for used disk array, tape libraries, peripherals, telecom equipment, and more.

Companies of all shapes and sizes rely on our team to make sure that all data is completely eradicated from tapes, helping them comply with regulations as set forth by SOX, Sarbanes-Oxley, SOX, and HIPAA.

We’ll make sure you are always 100% compliant with all regulations, while providing you instant cash for all of your new and used equipment.

In today’s world, there is no reason that organizations shouldn't take advantage of e-waste recycling programs. It’s a win-win for all parties involved.

Have questions or want to get started as soon as possible? Call or e-mail our recycling team and we can get started!

Info@BigDataSupplyInc.com | Toll Free 800-905-7329 | Local 949-679-6633

“Declines in the sales of tape media are decreasing and the death of tape has been postponed - indefinitely,” writes Chris Mellor of The Register.

According to recent numbers published by the Santa Clara Consulting Group, in the third quarter of 2013, cartridge sales hit $141.73 million. LTO accounted for a whopping 95 percent of revenue.

When looking at the LTO media type breakdown per version, they are as follows:

- LTO-4 - 38 percent of all units sold
- LTO-5 - 37 percent of all units sold
- LTO-3 - 13 percent of all units sold
- LTO-6 - 8 percent of all units sold
- LTO-1 and LTO-2 - 3 percent of all units sold

The brand breakdown (in terms of popularity) has HP with 31 percent of the market share, followed by Fuji and then IBM.

Trailing behind LTO tape cartridges, the second most popular technology is DDS/DAT at $4.9 million. DLS, DLT-V, AIT, and QIC sales were on the low end of the spectrum.

The following chart shows that magnetic data media sales did drop from 2008, but in Q3 of 2013 sales have leveled off. Mellor suggests that the number may rise gradually due to the use of archival tape used in the cloud and alongside disk. This spells good news for magnetic data media in the coming years.

Santa Clara Group Tape Media Sales

Declines in tape media sales are decreasing.

Want to learn more? We can answer all of your questions and help you save both time and money. Please either call our offices or drop us an e-mail.

We are currently purchasing new and used, all brands and formats. Yes, we buy used tape. Our data destruction processes exceed all standards for data destruction for DOD, GLBA, SOX, HIPAA, FACTA, ETC. Not only will you recoup some of your initial data storage costs, selling your data media for reuse is also the most environmentally conscious solution to ending the life of your tape media.

Don’t shred the tape, shred the data!

Contact Us: Support@BigDataSupplyInc.com | Toll Free 800-905-7329 | Local 714-647-9000

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