Imation

Imation, based in Oakdale, Minnesota, is an American global technology corporation that describes itself as a global scalable storage and data security company. The company has three core elements – Traditional Storage (magnetic tape and optical products), Secure and Scalable Storage (data backup, data archive and data security solutions designed for small and medium businesses) and what Imation calls “Audio and Video Information” solutions and products.[2]

Imation was started in 1996, when 3M spun out its data storage business. The company has undergone a divestment of non-core businesses, and according to a press release issued by Imation in February 2011, the company is investing in “four core product technology areas: Secure Storage, Scalable Storage, Wireless/Connectivity, and Magnetic Tape."[3]

The company has been involved in the development of many technological improvements in data storage, such as the introduction of the first magnetic tape in 1947, the first quarter-inch tape cartridge for data storage (QIC) in 1971 and the 3.5-inch (89 mm) floppy disk in 1984. The company now has a market presence in more than 100 countries.