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It is interesting how often the phrase “Failing to plan is planning to fail” proves itself right. We have had customers invest tens of thousands of dollars into new tape library automation systems, fly in an install engineer, then go to fire up the system only to be stopped by the lack of a $15 sheet of barcode labels. Automated tape library systems have come a long way, but still require barcode labels for the automated robotic arm to properly identify and pick each specific data cartridge.

After more than 12 years in this business, I still hear about rush emergency barcode label orders needing overnight delivery in order to get a brand new tape library system up and running. Seems that all the bases were covered in specifying the power, interfaces, media, and more, but the simplest of things fell through the cracks and caused the entire process to grind to a halt.

In the data storage business, when backup and recovery windows are tight and new systems such as large automated tape library systems are installed, make sure to take the time and learn from the lessons of others in the industry, that no details are too small to overlook. Plan to succeed and plan to take advantage of your new investments as quickly and as painlessly as possible. While you’re at it, keep in mind that you also have two choices; stock off the shelf barcode labels with limited numbering sequences, or custom tape barcode labels with unique location identifiers or even data set identifiers to help make your backup processes and compliance processes more thorough. You have the control to make your project better than expected.

Don Wilcox
dwilcox@dataspan.com
 

Added on 02/13/2012

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