OCZ Technology Group (OCZ)

OCZ Technology Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCZ)

OCZ Technology Group, Inc. ("OCZ") Founded in 2002, San Jose, CA-based OCZ Technology Group, Inc. is a leader in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of high performance and reliable Solid-State Drives (SSDs) and premium computer components. OCZ has built on its expertise in high-speed memory to become a leader in the enterprise and consumer SSD markets, a technology that competes with traditional rotating magnetic hard disk drives (HDDs). SSDs are faster, more reliable, generate less heat and use significantly less power than the HDDs used in the majority of computers today. In addition to SSD technology, OCZ also offers high performance components for computing devices and systems, including enterprise-class power management products as well as leading-edge computer gaming solutions.
 

Founded in 2002, San Jose, California-based OCZ Technology Group, Inc. has built on its expertise in high-speed memory to become a dominant player in the manufacturing and distribution of solid state drives (SSDs), a disruptive, game-changing technology that is replacing traditional rotating magnetic hard disk drives (HDDs). SSDs are faster, more reliable, run cooler, and use significantly less power than the HDDs used in the majority of computers today. In addition to SSD technology, OCZ also offers high performance components for computing devices and systems, including enterprise class power management products and industrial power accessories

A Foundation for Leadership

OCZ Technology was founded by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts, and our commitment to that end-user group has not digressed. Entering the memory market in 2002, OCZ was built around the determination to manufacture the very best high-speed memory for overclockers. In this pursuit, OCZ became the first manufacturer to make dual channel optimized memory kits available to the public, which originally took advantage of NVIDIA's Twinbank, or Dual DDR architecture, found in their nForce chipset. Over the last decade, we have maintained that thirst for innovation and performance leadership in multiple categories including power management and solid state storage.

Commitment to Excellence

Today, OCZ, a member of JEDEC, is a leader in the design and manufacture of SSDs for both the consumer and enterprise markets and continues to be a front-runner in the industry. OCZ has also transformed the enthusiast and gaming power supply market, designing a high performance line of power supply units (PSUs) over the course of the last five years that achieved hundreds of accolades from top industry press. PSUs have become a significant hub of innovation and milestones for OCZ. Most notably, our Z-Series was the first 80 Plus Gold certified PSU to hit the market.

In 2007, PC Power & Cooling was brought into the OCZ Technology Group, forming a well-rounded, highly innovative organization that placed the company at the forefront of enthusiast and industrial grade power management. PC Power has produced many pioneering products including the first CPU cooler, the first PC heat alarm, the first independently-regulated PC power supply, the first redundant power system, the first NVIDIA certified SLI supply, the first One Kilowatt computer power supply, and the first power supply with its own certified test report.

Paving the Way to the Future

In recent years, OCZ has expanded beyond memory and power supplies, being one of the first major consumer brands to bring solid state drives to the market in a mission to spark mainstream adoption over traditional hard drives. Putting an end to the acceptance of slower, less reliable storage options, OCZ set out to deliver affordable, premium high-performance SSD solutions. OCZ was the first manufacturer to implement the renowned performance of the Indilinx Barefoot controller in their SSD solutions with the ground-breaking Vertex Series, which paved the way for a surge of "me-too" solutions. Determined to remain innovative, OCZ developed two unique SSD series, Vertex Turbo and Agility, focused on higher performance and greater affordability. Furthermore, OCZ's concern with SSD performance degradation spawned its quest for the "garbage collection" and TRIM support found in OCZ SSDs today.

With fortitude unlike any other company, OCZ continues to lead the way for this burgeoning technology. SSDs have the potential to revolutionize our everyday computing experience or even an entire business' productivity and OCZ is dedicated to making them even better, faster, and more reliable. Our latest and next generation of SSDs are designed with both the consumer and enterprise market in mind, forming a distinct company philosophy of affordability and quality that goes into both product lines.

Our Goals

At OCZ we have one primary goal, and it is to make sure that every customer is 110% satisfied. Every employee at OCZ is dedicated to accomplishing this goal. Our product management and engineering teams are constantly developing the fastest and best performing products. Our marketing department ensures all the information needed to make an informed purchase is available and presented in an easy to understand format. The technical support department constantly studies and tests the latest hardware to be as informed as possible to help you with any issue you may have. Our customer service department is filled with customer satisfaction fanatics who will refuse to let you be disappointed.

Customer Service

We offer competitive, industry-leading warranties on our complete lineup of SSD, PSU, and DRAM products. We back this warranty with friendly, courteous staff that is willing to answer any question. OCZ Technology is in tune with the needs of enterprise, enthusiasts, and mainstream consumers alike, because we are just like you. We seek motivated, qualified applicants, who already have a firm grasp, and a passion for the PC. Our global support team diligently works to provide unparalleled service, and our renowned support forums can be referenced at anytime.

Investment Highlights

• Geographic and product diversity - addresses multiple markets with multiple brands (OCZ, PC Power & Cooling)
• Addresses High-Performance and Server, Enterprise and Consumer markets
• Ability to customize SSD solutions in a complete spectrum of interfaces for Enterprise/OEM clients
• History of technological leadership in multiple market segments (memory, power management and storage)
• Award Winning Products and Solutions that are recognized by the leading trade press

OCZ Technology Group, Inc. (OCZ) is a provider of high performance solid state drives (SSDs) and memory modules for computing devices and systems. In addition to its SSD and Memory Module product lines, the Company also designs, develops, manufactures and distributes other high performance components for computing devices and systems, including thermal management solutions and alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) switching power supply units (PSUs). The Company offers its customers flexibility and customization by providing a range of solutions, which are interoperable and can be configured alone or in combination to make computers run faster. Through its diversified and global distribution channel, it offers more than 450 products to 376 customers, including retailers, online retailers (etailers), original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and computer distributors. In February 2010, OCZ divested its Hypersonic Personal Computer (PC) Systems product lines. In March 2011, the Company acquired Indilinx Co., Ltd.

Solid State Storage and Other Flash Memory Based Products

OCZ designs and manufactures flash memory products in a range of forms and capacities. Its range of flash storage products come in a variety of formats and interfaces. The Company's SSD products are used in computers, servers and industrial equipment that require increased speed, lower power consumption and or increased reliability. Its solid state storage products are available with a range of interfaces including PCIe, SATA, PATA, USB, IE 1394, SAS and mini PCIe and in various form factors, including 3.5 inch, 2.5 inch, as well as card based and external (pen drive based formats). It also manufactures Secure Digital (SD) cards meant for use primarily in consumer applications, such as digital photography.

DRAM Modules

The Company offers a lineup of Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) memory modules utilizing a range of DRAM technologies from legacy double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM) to DDR3 SDRAM devices. These modules encompass a range of form factors and functions including dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs), small outline dual in-line memory modules (SODIMMs), and very low profile (VLP) DIMMs and mini-DIMMs for space-constrained blade server, or 1.75 inch thin computing server, and networking applications. These memory modules come in configurations of up to 244 pins, which is the number of pins that plug into a motherboard, and densities of up to 8 gigabytes (GB). The Company also accommodates custom module designs based on OEM requirements.

Power Supply

The Company manufactures power supplies that are designed to power computers and industrial devices while maintaining interoperability, adhering to industry standards and increasing output efficiency through design. Its power supplies are designed to operate at higher temperatures and under more demanding internal conditions with stricter load regulation than is required under normal circumstances.

Thermal Management

OCZ designs, manufactures and sells various computer related thermal management products that sell through substantially the same sales channel as other OCZ products. These products take advantage of OCZ developed technology and concepts in order to deliver products that its customer base requests.

The Company competes with STEC, Inc., Fusion I/O, Mtron Storage Technology Co., Ltd., Intel Corporation, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Kingston Technology Corporation, SanDisk Corporation, Crucial Technology, Micron Technology, Inc., Corsair Memory, Inc., Antec, Inc., Thermaltake Technology Inc. and Enermax Technology Corporation.