Simple, Affordable Network Storage Solution Safely Stores Music, Movies, Photos and Data for Shared Access

SAN JOSE, CA, March 22 /CNW/ - Hammer Storage, a division of Bell Microproducts Inc. (Nasdaq: BELM), one of the world's largest value-added distributors of storage and computing technology, today announced the release of myshare(TM), its latest network storage solution. The first offering in a well-rounded family of network storage products, the 1 terabyte (TB) myshare is available now with an MSRP of $499 at select retail stores, online retailers, and directly from Hammer Storage at www.hammer-storage.com.

The launch of myshare comes at a time when consumers are increasing their usage of hard disk drives to store not just data files, but also photos, movies, and music. myshare provides a simple and safe solution for storing an assortment of content that can be shared throughout the home or anywhere, anytime over the Internet.

Perfect for the consumer and SOHO (small office/home office) market, myshare is the ideal new resident in today's digital home. Designed to foster sharing, myshare enables users to share digital content within the home and between different computer platforms including PC, Mac, and Linux workstations. Content once trapped in an individual computer is now readily available to all those connected to the home network. Once plugged into myshare, USB printers and storage devices including memory sticks can also be easily shared over the home network.

"Digital home storage needs are growing exponentially, and this trend is creating a real demand for affordable, simple network storage solutions that offer ease-of-use that is similar to that found in common household appliances," commented Jerry Kagele, Bell Microproducts' president of North American distribution. "The myshare family of products gives consumers the peace of mind that is associated with knowing that their irreplaceable digital media files are securely stored, protected and accessible whenever, wherever they like."

Outside the home or office, myshare has the ability to offer remote access via the Internet and all content stored on myshare can be accessible no matter where the user is so long as they can get onto the web. Additionally, for those wishing to selectively share folders containing photos or movies or other digital data with family and friends, myshare enables them to do so.

When connected to a wireless router, myshare allows laptop users to now access content or print without plugging in. Users can also back-up their files, photos and other data to myshare for easy, centralized access.

Ease-of-use features include a completely preconfigured appliance populated with hard disk drives and set-up with folders so users can simply plug myshare into a router and begin storing and sharing immediately. While other network storage devices require that software be installed on each computer, myshare does not. A one button feature copies files from another storage device or digital camera directly into a myshare folder. As a network storage appliance, myshare can be accessed regardless if the computers are on or not. myshare plugs into the network through a gigabit interface and conveniently sits under any home router or switch, eliminating the need for externally attached storage, add-on internal disk drives, removable media, print servers and remote storage.

myshare comes complete with RAID levels 0, 1 and JBOD to provide protection choices, such as mirroring data. Content on myshare is secured from Internet intruders with SSL certificates and can be configured with multiple user and group permissions. For small businesses with a domain server, myshare can tie into the domain, thus enabling the use of the same password and access that is already in place.

Created to fill a void in the consumer and SOHO markets which are seeing storage capacities and user access to this content rising, myshare is a storage appliance for today's consumer. Recognizing that consumers have become increasingly comfortable with multiple media types, including data, music, video and photo, Hammer Storage is offering myshare to meet all of the storage needs of today's consumers and digital homes.

Kagele summarized that, "myshare is shared storage made easy and affordable for any home or small office."

The myshare 1TB is the first member of the myshare family to be made initially available by Hammer Storage. myshare is backed by a one year warranty and comes with two SATA II hard drives along with two USB ports to centralize printers and external hard drives. To learn more about myshare, please call 1-800-237-0840 or go to http://www.hammer-storage.com .

About Hammer Storage
Hammer Storage is a division of Bell Microproducts, one of the world's largest storage-centric distributors, and is committed to providing its customers with the most cost effective, scalable and easy to use network storage solutions available. Partnering with leading edge manufacturers and technology providers to bring the latest in storage solutions to the market, Hammer Storage offers an array of storage options that deliver superior solutions to real business challenges for the consumer, SMB and enterprise markets.

Product offerings from Hammer Storage include: the Desk Hammer Series, the Pocket Hammer Series, the DVD Series, the Hammer Z-Series, the Hammer N-Series and the Hammer G-Series. More information can be found at www.Hammer-Storage.com .

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