QUANTUM SCALAR · TPM FOR TAPE LIBRARIES

Quantum Scalar Maintenance — vendor-independent service for tape libraries and LTO drives

We service Quantum Scalar tape libraries after factory warranty and Quantum Support — vendor-independent, with OEM robotics, tape drives and components, SLA up to 24×7×4. Complete family: Scalar i3, i6, i500 (older, EOSL), i6000. Plus LTO-7/LTO-8/LTO-9 tape drives. 30 to 60 percent below Quantum list price.

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Which Scalar models we service

Quantum Scalar tape libraries are widely deployed in DACH backup environments — typically behind Veeam, CommVault, NetBackup or TSM for long-term archive and compliance storage. Four platform classes for different scaling requirements.

Scalar i3 · entry

Scalar i3 (3U to 12U, up to 200 slots, 1-12 drives)

Scalar i6 · mid-range

Scalar i6 (modular up to 9 modules, up to 1,350 slots, 24 drives)

Scalar i500 · older (EOSL)

Scalar i500 (predecessor to i6, 2007-2018, EOSL reached)

Scalar i6000 · enterprise

Scalar i6000 (up to 12,000 slots, up to 192 drives)

Tape drives

LTO-7 HH/FH · LTO-8 HH/FH · LTO-9 HH/FH (FC and SAS)

Why TPM maintenance for Quantum Scalar

Tape libraries typically run for many years in production environments — robotics are mechanically robust, tape drives can be swapped modularly. This longevity collides with Quantum's EOSL policy: Scalar i500 has reached EOSL, older i3/i6 generations are increasingly renewed at refresh-driver rates. TPM breaks this coupling.

We service all Scalar generations with OEM robotics (pickers, grippers), drives (LTO-7/8/9 in HH and FH), power supplies and slot magazines. LTO drives themselves are generically available — Quantum-specific is the robotics, where we have deep stock. We also keep i500 components despite EOSL.

30–60 %

Savings vs. Quantum Support

i500 EOSL

Robotics and components still in stock

LTO-7/8/9

Drive swaps in HH and FH

5×9 NBD

Economic SLA level for backup/archive tape

Generations timeline & TPM coverage

Per hardware generation: vendor phase (slate) and TechCare coverage window (teal) up to ~5 years post-OEM EOSL.

2007

2011

2015

2019

2023

2027

2028

Today · 2026

Scalar i500 (älter)
2007–2018
TPM until2023+
Recommended

EOSL status of Scalar generations

Scalar families have different lifecycle lengths. i500 has been EOSL since 2018, i3/i6 are active, i6000 has been sold since 2010+ with continuous updates.

Model family	Released	OEM support ends	TPM status
Scalar i500 (älter)	2007	2018	Recommended
Scalar i3 (Entry)	2015+	aktiv	Supported
Scalar i6 (Mid-Range)	2014+	aktiv	Supported
Scalar i6000 (Enterprise)	2010+	aktiv (frühe Gen EOSL)	Supported

As of 2026. EOSL data based on official vendor roadmaps and subject to change. Binding case-by-case information available on request.

What we deliver

OEM original parts

Our warehouse stocks OEM original components, including for end-of-life generations.

Onsite engineer

German-speaking technicians throughout DACH, 4-hour response time guaranteed.

Flexible SLA per system

Parts Only, 5×9 NBD or 24×7×4 — freely combinable by location and criticality.

Multi-vendor contract

One contract for Quantum and all other vendors. No more individual contracts.

EOSL tracking & reporting

Monthly SLA reports, asset overview, automatic EOSL notifications.

Quantum tools stay

Quantum tools (DXi GUI, Scalar Manager, StorNext) remain usable.

Comparison

TechCare vs. Quantum Scalar Tape Libraries

Concrete SLA tiers, OEM comparison, coverage details and source footnotes — on a print-friendly page.

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FAQ on Quantum Scalar maintenance

Which Quantum Scalar models do you service?

Complete Scalar family: Scalar i3 (entry, 3U-12U), Scalar i6 (mid-range, modular), Scalar i500 (older, EOSL reached) and Scalar i6000 (enterprise with up to 12,000 slots). Plus all LTO generations: LTO-7, LTO-8 and LTO-9 in HH and FH, in both FC and SAS configurations.

What does TPM cost for Scalar compared to Quantum Support?

30 to 60 percent savings. A Scalar i6 with 4 modules and 12 LTO-8 drives costs 14,000 to 18,000 EUR/year support with Quantum, 6,000 to 9,000 EUR with TechCare. Fully-configured Scalar i6000 higher in absolute terms. Up to 70 percent savings possible on EOSL i500.

Can you service EOSL Scalar i500?

Yes. Scalar i500 (released 2007, EOSL 2018) is still productive in many DACH backup architectures — typically behind NetBackup or TSM for compliance archives. We stock robotics (pickers, grippers), slot magazines, drive sleds and PSUs. For very old robotics components, we work with certified refurbishing partners.

Can you get LTO-7/LTO-8/LTO-9 drives?

Yes. LTO drives are available from multiple OEM manufacturers (IBM, HPE, Quantum) — we supply Quantum-certified drives in HH and FH, FC and SAS configurations. LTO-9 drives are current and well available, LTO-8 and LTO-7 as well for the installed base.

Which SLA levels do you recommend for tape libraries?

Tape libraries are typically behind backup software for nightly backup windows — 5×9 NBD is usually sufficient, a nightly outage is acceptable if the next backup window remains reachable. For compliance-critical archive libraries or productive restore scenarios, we recommend 24×7×4.

What about Encryption Key Management?

Quantum Scalar Encryption Key Manager (Q-EKM) and external key managers (KMIP-compatible, e.g., SafeNet KeySecure) run without licensing. LTO drive-based AES-256 encryption is a drive function and independent of the maintenance contract.

Can we have Scalar and DXi in the same contract?

Yes, that's standard. Multi-class contracts are our strength — Quantum Scalar as tape tier, DXi as deduplication tier, StorNext as file layer, ActiveScale as object tier, all in one contract, one point of contact, one SLA report set.

How fast do we get a quote?

Within 48 hours after receipt of your inventory list with model, number of modules and drives, and serial number.

Service performance

Real actuals Q1 2026 — straight from our ITIL ticketing.

99,2 %

Tickets resolved within agreed response time

2,4 h

Avg. first response on 4h SLA tier

88 %

First-time fix on initial dispatch

97 %

Spare part on site within 4 h, DACH depots