Rumors have been circulating for a couple of weeks that Ampex Corp. had been courted by a potential suitor to acquire defunct MicroNet Technology. Today Fantom Drives, a division of BNL Technologies, confirmed it’s the one — the company announced the acquisition of MicroNet Technology’s assets, patents and copyrights.
Long time video maker Ampex shut down MicroNet in February, citing mounting losses. Irvine, Calif.-based MicroNet was a long-time provider of Mac-compatible storage systems. The company’s products included the SANcube X-stream, a storage area network product that won the 2000 Macworld Editor’s Choice Award for best storage system.
Fantom Drives plans to keep the MicroNet brand and product line alive. The company will maintain “distinct product offerings” under both the MicroNet and Fantom Drives brands.
“Offering a greater selection of products while remaining focused on our core competency of bringing state-of-the-art storage solutions to market represents an exciting opportunity,” said Fantom Drive senior Vice President Ivan W. Halperin.
Fantom Drives has also resumed warranty service and technical support for MicroNet customers, who can reach Fantom at 800.321.4427. Fantom Drives director of tech services Ryan J. Stern said that MicroNet customers’ warranties would remain intact.
The first MicroNet employee to join the new team is, perhaps not surprisingly, Gary Bart. He’s MicroNet’s former director of North American sales, and he led a rally of former MicroNet employees who sought to save the company after Ampex shut it down.
Fantom’s product line includes RAID systems, FireWire drives, USB storage, DVD-RAM and CD-RW offerings, CD duplication systems and other products. For more details, visit Fantom Drives’ Web site.