IDC's Storage Mechanisms: Tape service forecasts the market demand for tape drives and automation systems worldwide. The service helps storage component manufacturers understand the ever-changing market conditions affecting market demand. IDC focuses on delivering a combination of timely tactical market information and long-term strategic analysis to give customers a balanced view of the market.

This service covers the following segments of the tape market:

• Tape drives
• Tape libraries and automation

Throughout the year, this service will address the following topics:

Tape drives and automation:

• SLR
• DDS/DAT
• 8mm/AIT
• DLT/SDLT
• LTO
• Half inch

Our research addresses the following issues that are critical to your success:

1. How will market share shifts affect supplier strategies?
2. What factors drive demand for tape storage devices?
3. Can new removable storage technologies displace tape?
4. What factors will define new product success?
5. How can new tape mechanisms enable future storage architectures?
6. Do OEM customers dictate features and functions of tape storage peripherals?
7. What impact will the increased use of low-cost disk, VTL appliances, and VTL software have on the tape market?
8. What impact will removable hard disk drives (R-HDDs) have on tape drive shipments?

IDC's Storage Mechanisms: Tape service examines how storage tape manufacturers are positioning themselves to compete in the drive and library markets. This service reviews the strategies, market positioning, and future direction of several providers in the tape market, including HP, IBM, Imation, Dell, Maxell, NEC, Overland Storage, Qualstar, Quantum, Sony, Spectra Logic, Sun and Tandberg Data.

This service focuses on the following core research. In addition to the insight provided in this service, IDC may conduct additional research on specific topics, or emerging market segments, via research offerings that require additional IDC funding and client investment.

This study examines the worldwide five-year market opportunity for tape drives. It gives insights into technology transitions and vendor execution of new products.

This study examines the worldwide five-year market opportunity for tape libraries and automation. It gives insights into the factors driving demand for tape libraries and subsystems.

IDC offers a complete market intelligence solution customized to meet your business requirements. The array of products and services available to you includes:

• The opportunity to have your specific questions answered through personal interaction with industry experts who cover the topics and markets in your service
• Around-the-clock access to our market intelligence on idc.com, IDC's personalized Web experience
• A view of the market's future with 12 months of continuous intelligence about its direction and the reasons behind it, along with actionable advice for taking advantage of existing and emerging opportunities
• Special client discount pricing on purchases of research from other services
• Complimentary admission to IDC's annual Directions conference, where you'll hear our latest forecasts and network with IDC analysts and other industry professionals
• Complimentary invitations to monthly executive telebriefings, interactive forums designed to provide you with insights about research and strategies directly from IDC analysts

To find out how our flexible packaging options can meet your specific business needs, please contact your IDC sales executive.

As a privately held company, IDC believes that our customers are our primary constituency. A large percentage of every revenue dollar is reinvested back into our products, including more analysts, more geographic coverage, and extensive primary research.

Our steady growth over the past 10-plus years reflects our commitment to investing in our customers.