Reactive Group has acquired Arraid, based in Phoenix, Arizona. Arraid is a manufacturer of replacement data storage solutions for ageing disk, tape and floppy drives on legacy computer systems. With the takeover Reactive Group intends to revamp the Arraid range of replacement drives with solid state disk technology.
“The acquisition of Arraid significantly expands our existing ‘Through Life Support’ capabilities with regard to ageing, obsolete and end-of-life disk, tape and floppy drives on legacy computer systems,” said James Hilken, director of the Reactive Group. “Through Life Support is a phrase increasingly used for equipment that is in the later stages of life but still needs to be maintained and kept fully operational.”
Ageing, obsolete and end-of-life disk, tape and floppy drives are generally the weakest links in legacy computer systems due to their mechanical nature and the failure potential of their moving parts. Arraid’s products are used extensively in both commercial and Government markets in a range of applications including defence, process control, semiconductor manufacturing and others. Typically, customers have incurred large investments in unique or non-portable software running on legacy computer systems which the original manufacturers (e.g. DEC, Encore, Honeywell, IBM, Wang, etc.) are no longer able or willing to support.
“Arraid’s replacement drives extend the life of critical legacy computer systems, protecting valuable system software and reducing downtime. Additionally, they eliminate maintenance headaches and media problems as well as reduce operational costs,” concluded James Hilken.