Tape drives are vulnerable to excesses of dust and dirt. Heat and humidity can affect not only the tape drive, but the autoloader and tapes as well. A clean, cool, dry environment is necessary to ensure the reliability of the tape automation.
Consider tape accessibility. Some units support bins that let you add and remove tapes in bulk, but some offer only one-at-a-time access. If you frequently take tapes off-site or add expired backup tapes to the library, for example, look for an autoloader that provides easy access to the tapes.
You also need to weigh the availability of connection technology. Some autoloaders come in a fixed configuration, usually SCSI or Fibre Channel, while others have I/O slots that will let you upgrade to different forms of connectivity in the future. If your company is contemplating a SAN, whether IP or Fibre Channel, hedge your bets with an autoloader that can be upgraded to handle either option.
Security is a concern, too. Some autoloaders have locking front panels for tape access and some require passwords for control-panel access. Invest in a product with the right level of security for your organization.
And don't forget ease of use. It may seem insignificant, but if it's a pain to access the tapes, people will avoid using the autoloader. Make sure the unit can be navigated by any IT person without any special training.
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