- Certified for reuse tape media offers substantial cost savings (20-50%) compared to new tape media for organizations with large tape storage needs, helping to reduce significant and growing media budget costs. - While some claim recycled tape is unreliable, proper certification processes like cleaning, testing and data erasure can ensure it performs as reliably as new tape with significant savings. - Guidelines for organizations include purchasing from reputable certifiers and using recycled tape for applications that don't require frequent rewriting, to balance cost savings with reliability needs.

1.
The Cost Savings of
Certified for Reuse
Tape Media
White Paper
E‐mediaplus (UK) Ltd
E-mediaplus © 2009 – For use by permission only

2. Re-certified Tape Media emediaplus.co.uk
Cost Savings of Certified for Reuse Tape Media
The cost of tape media is one of those significant budget line items that is causing IT directors to
comment, “How can such small pieces of tape be costing my department so much?” The truth is
these little pieces of media cost up to £50 each new and even a medium size organisation can
require hundreds of new pieces of media each year. The cause for this increase in media use is
twofold. First of all, the total amount of electronic information is growing sharply. In 2007, IDC
wrote a report called ‘The Diverse and Exploding Digital Universe that forecast the world
information growth to 2010. It has just been updated up to 2011. In 2007, the size of the digital
universe – all the digital bits of information that are in existence was estimated to be 281
Exabytes (281 Billion Gigabytes). By 2011 that number will have increased ten fold. Although not
all of it will be retained, a very large proportion will need to be stored somewhere. Secondly,
there is increasing legal and regulatory pressure to store electronic information longer. Following
the Enron and Arthur Anderson scandals, the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act requires financial audit
information be stored for five years with severe penalties for non‐compliance. The combined
impact on tape media for electronic information storage is resulting in increasing media costs and
unmanageable budgets.
WHY IS TAPE M EDIA SO POPULAR?
Why is tape media the number one choice for electronic information storage? The reasons are
that tape media is widely available, easy to use, can be easily transported and provides the lowest
cost per MB of any storage media. But even with its low cost per MB, tape media is still a major
budget cost. Certified for reuse tape media is now available for sale and offers substantially
reduced cost (20% to 50%) as compared to new tape media. (It seems that re‐certified tape
media offers an alternative to new tape media and holds the promise of reducing tape media
costs.) But there exists some debate whether or not re‐certified tape media is a viable alternative
to new tape media for the purpose of reducing cost. Some new tape manufacturers claim that re‐
cycled tape media is not as reliable and poses too many risks to be considered as a viable
alternative to new. This argument seems to be contrary to the normal practice of getting the
most from all of our resources – for example toner cartridges where re‐cycling and reuse is
common. This white paper will explore the myths that exist regarding re‐cycled tape media and
describe best practice guidelines for selecting re‐certified tape media.
Why Purchase Certified for Reuse Tape Media?
So why consider purchasing re‐certified tape media? Obviously the main reason is cost. In
today’s cost conscience business environment, using less expensive media can add up to real
savings for an organisation. Even for a typical IT department, the number of pieces of tape media
can be thousands and represent a major portion of the IT expense budget. Take for example a
SuperDLT tape that sells for £35 per tape new. Certified for Reuse tape media that sells for 20%
to 50% less, offers a savings of £12,000 to £30,000 per 1,000 tapes purchased. Obviously there is
a major cost incentive to consider re‐certified tape media. Keep in mind re‐certified tape media
can be used in combination with new tape media. For example, applications that archive data for
years with only a single pass of the media are generally quite suitable for certified for reuse tape
media. These applications may not require more expensive new tape media. This is just one
example of using re‐certified tape media and there are certainly many others. But before
2|Page

3. Re-certified Tape Media emediaplus.co.uk
considering purchasing any certified for reuse tape media, let’s examine some of the common
myths against the use of re‐cycled tape media in general.
The Myths against the Use of Re‐certified Tape Media
Tape manufacturers would have you believe that using any re‐certified tape media creates an unacceptable
risk to your organisation. Obviously there is a major financial incentive to their position. If they can reduce
(or eliminate) the sale of re‐certified tape media, then sales of new tape media would increase along with
their company profits. But let’s set aside the financial motivation behind these myths and examine the
merits of each argument against the use of re‐certified tape media. The most common arguments against
the use of re‐certified tape media are that it can expose your environment to tape errors due to
contamination, it has a limited lifespan and it has no warranty. Without question re‐certified media carries
a risk of errors as does new tape media, but provided the re‐certified tape media is handled by a reputable
tape media certification facility and all proper processes are followed, the assumption that all re‐cycled
tape media carries a higher contamination and error risk than new tape is not justifiable. Intensive
inspections, cleaning, testing and proper packaging ensure that properly certified for reuse tape media will
perform equal to new. Table one describes some common arguments against the use of re‐cycled tape
media and a response that sets the record straight.
Guidelines for the Purchase of Re‐certified Tape
New tape media is designed and engineered to perform reliably for years. In fact, you might argue that
tape media is made too well because in practice it is very uncommon for tape media to be used for its
entire life span. Rather tape media is commonly used for only a small percentage of its useful life span and
a very small fraction (5‐10 tape mounts vs. 20,000+ mounts) of its designed durability. For example, tape
media that is used for routine data protection and archival, is commonly stored on the shelf for months or
years and individual pieces can number in the thousands for a typical sized organisation. When retention
periods expire, the usual practice is for the tape media to either be re‐used in‐house or disposed of. It is
this existing supply of quality used tape media that becomes available to tape media re‐certifiers. Also,
through IT department closures, tape technology upgrades or end of archive retention periods, large
quantities of used tape media is sold to tape media dealers for re‐cycling and reuse.
Reputable tape media re‐certifiers take the used tape media and put it through a process of cleaning,
erasing, checking, re‐packaging and clearly identifying each tape for re‐sale as certified for reuse tape media.
Only after thorough testing does a piece of tape media qualify to be identified as certified for reuse tape
media. When used tape media is first received it is visually inspected for any signs of wear, cosmetic
defects, scratches, breaks or damage. Next the tape is physically cleaned and all labels and bar codes are
removed. The tape media is then completely degaussed (erased) and tested with professional grade
equipment that ensures that the tape operates at its original manufacturer specifications. Finally the tape
is re‐labelled and re‐packaged with clear identification as certified for re‐use.
3|Page

4. Re-certified Tape Media emediaplus.co.uk
Myth #1 – “Re‐certified tape media is unreliable.”
Due to the design and testing that goes into the manufacturing process, tape media is able to perform
reliably for many, many years. The majority of used tape media has been used for only a small
percentage of its useful life span and is perfectly suitable for certification for reuse.
Myth #2 – “Re‐certified tape media can expose valuable organisation data.”
Tape media always needs to be protected to prevent the loss of valuable organisation data. A reputable
certified for reuse tape dealer can completely erase all tapes onsite or can perform the work in a secure
facility and guaranty 100% data destruction
Myth #3 – “The only way to dispose of tape media is to grind it up.”
The practice of grinding of tape not only costs but it adds chemical spoilage to land fills. The better
practice that is endorsed by the U.S. Dept. of Navy is to completely erase tape using proper means and
then use the tape again. Secure data destruction, not wasteful media destruction.
Myth #4 – “Re‐certified tape media is packaged as new.”
Properly certified for reuse tape media is erased, cleaned and tested to perform like new tape media.
This includes re‐packaging the tape media with the original manufacturer labelling so that the media
type is clearly identified. A carton label is attached clearly marking the product as being re‐cycled and
each tape is identified as certified for reuse.
Myth #5 – “Re‐certified tape media will not save money.”
The costs savings of certified for reuse tape media are substantial (20% to 50%) and realized immediately
with the initial purchase. In the long‐term you can lower the total cost of managing tape media when
upgrading to new tape media types, re‐cycling old media types and avoiding destruction costs.
Myth #6 – “Re‐certified tape media has an undetermined useful life.”
Certified for reuse tape media and new tape media are the same in this regard. No manufacturer of new
or re‐certified tape can guarantee the useful life of any tape.
Myth #7 – “No single test can be performed to identify possible tape integrity issues.”
True. Reputable re‐certified tape processors submit each piece of tape media to multiple tests including
inspection, cleaning, erasure and testing before the media is re‐packaged. Tape that fails to pass these
tests is destroyed.
Myth #8 – “Re‐certified tape media is not covered by warranty.”
Any certified for reuse tape that is found to contain defects and will not perform to manufacturer
specifications will be replaced by the dealer. This is a far simpler and more comprehensive warranty than
most new tape manufacture’s “lifetime” warranties.
Myth #9 – “The potential for contamination to be introduced into your data centre…”
Properly re‐certified tape media is cleaned, tested and packaged just like new tape media and does not
introduce contamination into your data centre.
Myth #10 – “Re‐cycled tape media may result in compliance violations.”
Compliance violations that can impact tape media are a matter of IT Staff and Legal concern and involve
new, re‐used and re‐certified tape media alike.
Table 1 – Myths against the use of Re‐certified Tape Media
4|Page

5. Re-certified Tape Media emediaplus.co.uk
To understand how tape media is re‐certified, two key processes play a very important role. The first
process is called “degaussing” and involves the use of a strong magnetic field to erase the data. The second
process is called “rewriting” and involves writing a pattern of ones and zeroes on the full length of the tape
to render the original data inaccessible. Here is more information about each process.
Degaussing Process
There are typically two ways to make sure data on tape cannot be recovered. One is to degauss the media
and the other is to re‐write over the tape. Degaussing is a process that reverses the polarity of the magnetic
particles and effectively erases all the data on the tape. Some of the most common and popular tape media
can be safely degaussed. These include the 3480, 3490e, DLT and SuperDLT. (See Table two) Commercially
available degaussing equipment is used to completely erase all pre‐existing data.
Product Type OK to Degauss
DC100/1000 Yes
DC‐2XXX Yes
Travan 1,2,3 Yes
DC‐6XXX Yes
Magnus Yes
SLR‐5 Yes
DDSX Yes
DAT Yes
Mammoth Yes
AIT 1,2,3 Yes
3480 / 3490 Yes
DLT III, XT, IV Yes
SDLT 1 & 2 Yes
Table 2 ‐ Tape Media Types OK to Degauss
Rewriting Process
Bulk degaussing is not possible for all tape formats such as LTO, 9940, 9840 and 3590 tape formats. These
tape cartridges contain factory‐written servo patterns that are destroyed by the degaussing process. (See
Table Three) To erase these tape formats, rewriting involves overwriting usable data with non‐usable data,
often a pattern of ones and zeros. Rewriting is performed by re‐certifiers to render all data irretrievable.
For in‐house re‐cycling, where erasure is not needed, tapes are re‐written by default as they are reused.
Product Type Rewriting Req’d
Travan 4,5,7 Yes
SLR‐6,7 Yes
3590(J) Yes
3590E(K) Yes
9840 / 9940 Yes
9480 Yes
LTO 1,2,3,4 Yes
Table 3 ‐ Tape Media w/ Magnetic Tracking
5|Page

6. Re-certified Tape Media emediaplus.co.uk
Choosing Recertified Media
When purchasing certified for reuse tape media, it is advised to use the same precautions that
apply to any purchase. First, insist that the re‐certified tape dealer provide specifications and
warranty on the products it offers. Compare these specifications to the same for new tape media
to assure performance characteristics are compatible. Ask for references and talk to other users
who have experience with the supplier. And lastly, verify how the re‐certified tapes are identified
as being re‐certified. There should be complete documentation available and each tape marked
clearly showing that is has been completely erased and passed all tests for quality.
Checklist Item Emediaplus Response
1. Where, when and how was the used tape media acquired? Available
2. In what facility and location are the tapes received and processed? Site visit Yes
possible?
3. What are the steps taken with each piece of media before it is certified for Details Available
reuse? (request list of steps)
4. What professional grade equipment is used for degaussing? Rewriting? Details Available
Testing?
5. Are certification test results available for the tape media? Yes
6. How are the re‐certified tapes marked and stamped after testing is Details Available
complete?
7. How are the re‐certified tapes packaged for delivery? Details Available
8. Is sample tape media available for evaluation and testing? Yes
9. What is the return policy for defective media? Details Available
Yes
10. Are references available? (request list)
Table 4 ‐ Re‐cycled Tape Media Purchase Checklist
6|Page

7. Re-certified Tape Media emediaplus.co.uk
Recovering Hidden Assets
For a typical size organisation the total number of pieces of tape media can number in the
thousands and a major portion of this tape may be sitting idle and represent an opportunity to
recover the asset value. When used for data protection, tape media is commonly re‐cycled and
reused in‐house when retention periods expire, unless the tape has been stored off‐site or
forgotten. In many situations, tape media is underutilised or abandoned. Tape used for archive is
utilised for long‐term storage (years) and is commonly stored remotely for safe keeping. After
potentially years of storage, archive tape media is often not re‐cycled in favour of using new tape
media. Tape being used for long term archive is also susceptible to obsolescence due to tape drive
upgrades. Tape manufacturers are continually engineering newer tape drive technologies that can
render old tape media obsolete.
For existing tape media that has been abandoned or is obsolete, a reputable re‐certified tape media
supplier can offer a valuable service. The first option is to hire a tape supplier to inventory all of the
used tape media, clean it, and return it in “like‐new” condition. By leveraging the manpower and
expertise of the tape media supplier, old tapes can be put back into production with confidence
knowing that they are tested and certified to meet original manufacturer specifications. The cost of
re‐cycling tape media is far less than having to replace all old tape media with new tape media.
What happens when upgrading to the latest tape drive technology? Now the used tape media is no
longer is compatible with new tape drives; then the best option is to work with a tape media
supplier to trade in the used tape media in exchange for new tape media. To ensure that no
existing data on the old tapes is lost, the tapes should be processed on site or in a secure facility. A
reputable re‐certified tape media supplier can provide a certificate of data destruction ensuring that
no tapes were lost or stolen and all your data was securely destroyed. Having the confidence that
the old data will not end up in the wrong hands and gaining the value of trading used tape media for
new tape is very significant. Old and obsolete tape media that was considered worthless, or would
cost you money to be destroyed, can be turned into real value.
7|Page

8. Re-certified Tape Media emediaplus.co.uk
Case Study
In this case study a medium size organisation found itself with over 5000 used DLT IV tapes that
were obsolete because the organisation had upgraded its tape drives to the new LTO‐2 format.
Instead of trashing the tapes for no monetary value or paying to properly dispose of them, they
traded in the tape for new LTO –2 tape media. Here is the personal account from the System
Administrator:
“I had around 5000 used DLT tapes that were about ready to be trashed and I was curious. We had
moved a datacentre, changed and upgraded to LTO tape libraries and now had an overabundance of
old DLT‐IV tapes. I had given as many as I could to other departments but still had a lot of tapes left
and they were stacking up. I contacted the re‐certified tape supplier and told them I would either
sell or swap my old DLT‐IV tapes for HP ULTRIUM LTO 2 tapes. To make a long story short, the buy
and trade happened, they came on site and handled everything and even paid shipping. I ended up
reclaiming office space, getting new LTO‐2 tapes for free and getting cash back to boot. Bottom line
is I was happy with this company and the entire transaction. If you are in the same situation I was in
and need to dispose of excess tapes here is one way to do it. A trade‐in with cash back is a lot
better than land fill.” System Administrator, (name withheld).
8|Page

9. Re-certified Tape Media emediaplus.co.uk
Conclusion
Certified for reuse tape media offers a significant cost savings (20% to 50%) as compared to new
tape media of the same type. New tape manufacturers would have everyone believe that re‐
certified tape media is not reliable and poses too much risk to an organisation to be considered
useful. The truth is tape media is designed for years of reliable operation and the majority of tape
media is used for only a small portion of its useful life span. Due to IT department closures, tape
drive upgrades and expired retention periods, a large number of pieces of used tape media are re‐
cycled by reputable used tape media suppliers and re‐sold as certified for re‐use tape media. Re‐
certified tape media is perfectly suitable for all common tape applications including long term
archive applications where the tape is only written once and then stored for years.
Hundreds of IT departments, from small to Fortune 50 companies, are benefiting from this smart
alternative. When purchasing re‐certified tape media, use the same precautions as you would with
any vendor. Make certain you receive the proper assurance that the tape media has been properly
processed and fully certified for re‐use. Using quality certified for reuse tape media, you can safely
manage and stretch your total tape media budget.
E‐media Plus (UK) is your best source for all formats of new and certified for reuse data media
products ‐ DLT, SuperDLT, LTO, 3480, 3490e, 3590, 3570, TK50, 4mm‐DDS, 8mm, AIT, QIC, 9‐track,
diskettes, and more. We have a huge inventory of all brands, categories and capacities at
competitive prices. We buy up excess inventories, M&A consolidation, returns, etc. and offer
trade‐ins. . Contact us at 0844 736 5656 or visit us at www.emediaplus.co.uk.
9|Page