Spectra Logic, Geyser Data Launch London Tape Archive

Spectra Logic and Geyser Data have established a significant new tape archive facility in London, marking their first European operational base. This strategic expansion offers Tape Archive Platform-as-a-Service (TAPAS) through the Geyser Data portal, providing businesses with a cost-effective and predictable solution for long-term cold data storage.

The new site, hosted within a Digital Realty facility in the London metropolitan area, addresses a growing market need for alternatives to cloud storage, which can incur substantial egress fees and unpredictable retrieval costs for infrequently accessed data. The TAPAS model leverages the inherent cost efficiencies of tape technology, offering a secure, cloud-accessible archive with transparent pricing structures. This approach is particularly attractive to organizations managing vast archives of scientific research, media assets, or regulatory compliance data.

Spectra Logic contributes its robust tape library infrastructure and archive technologies, including its cloud-optimized Spectra Cube, LTO-9 media, and BlackPearl solutions. Complementing this, Geyser Data provides the sophisticated software layer and cloud platform, enabling clients to access their archived data via an Amazon S3-compatible interface. This integration ensures a seamless user experience, bridging the gap between traditional tape storage and modern cloud accessibility.

The London deployment signifies a key milestone in the companies' strategy to scale their service ecosystem into new international markets. "Organizations are actively seeking archive infrastructure purpose-built for long-term cold data retention with predictable economics," stated Nelson Nahum, CEO of Geyser Data. "Expanding to London provides customers with enhanced geographic choice and validates the efficacy of our service model."

This move follows the successful launch of their initial TAPAS deployment in Los Angeles in November 2024, which was preceded by a beta testing phase in May 2024. The companies also have plans to launch a facility in Brazil later this year, underscoring their global ambitions in the cold storage sector. The data archive market is projected for substantial growth, driven by increasing data volumes and the need for cost-efficient retention solutions. Industry analysts predict the global data archiving market to reach tens of billions of dollars in the coming years, with tape technology playing a crucial role in sustainable and economical long-term storage.

Nathan Thompson, CEO of Spectra Logic, highlighted the importance of reliable infrastructure for service providers. "As demand for long-term data retention escalates, providers require dependable infrastructure to support regional archive services. Our tape library platforms and S3-compatible archive technologies form the bedrock for these deployments, offering a proven foundation for scalable cold data archiving." The company's ongoing commitment to innovation, including support for LTO-10 technology and advanced optical switches, further solidifies its position as a leader in data storage solutions.