Too many Cygnets?

Cygnet has an identity crisis. Following the bankruptcy and subsequent sale of the former U.S. ATG Cygnet

(San Jose), several related companies still use the Cygnet name. ATG Cygnet (Toulouse, France) continues to use the Cygnet name, even though the U.S. ATG Cygnet was purchased following bankruptcy late last year. The purchaser, Dynatek (Bedford, Nova Scotia) adopted the name Cygnet Storage Solutions (CSSI, San Jose, http://www.cygnet.com) while maintaining the company's San Jose headquarters.

That the French ATG Cygnet continues to offer 12-in. optical storage solutions such as its VFD 16000 WORM drive adds to the confusion. The drive boasts a 96-GB capacity from a five-disc removable cartridge.

Meanwhile, CSSI markets the former company's flagship Cygnet Series 1800 WORM library. To that, DynaTek developers have added the Infinidisc CD jukebox along with its Crossfire and Replicator CD-R duplication systems.

"The Cygnet name is clearly an asset and is a key reason Dynatek acquired the company," said Wayne Augsburger, VP of marketing with CSSI. The French ATG Cygnet, however, is expected to relinquish the Cygnet name sometime in the next few months, as the firm steps up its marketing effort in the U.S.