FRAMINGHAM, USA: The worldwide storage software market experienced a slight increase in year-over-year growth in the fourth quarter of 2009 (4Q09) with revenues of $3.09 billion, representing 0.5 percent growth over the same quarter one year ago, as well as 6.3 percent growth from the previous quarter (3Q09). This is according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Storage Software Tracker.

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Michael Margossian, associate research analyst, Storage Software at IDC, said: "The storage software market was able to increase in typical fourth quarter fashion, with all top six vendors showing positive growth from the third quarter."

"Data protection and recovery was once again a strong market with the top four vendors showing growth from a year ago. IBM had the strongest year-over-year growth with revenues up 19.3 percent from the fourth quarter of 2008, while EMC enjoyed the greatest gains over the third quarter, a 13.1 percent increase, with the help of strong hardware growth," Margossian adds.

"Sequential and year-over-year growth has returned for storage software, suggesting the market has started to show signs of recovery, said Laura DuBois, research director, Storage Software.

"Another sign that bodes well for the segment is that, as storage consumes larger portions of IT budgets, driven by the exponential growth of data, the need for storage management and efficiency increases. Into 2010, storage capital investments are aimed at making more efficient and reliable use of data, data storage, and data management resources," DuBois adds.

EMC led the overall market with 23.7 percent revenue share in the fourth quarter of 2009. Symantec held onto the second position with 17.5 percent revenue share, while IBM finished in the third position with 13.2 percent revenue share.

Top 5 Vendors, Worldwide Storage Software Revenue, Fourth Quarter of 2009 (Revenues are in Millions)

NetApp finished in the fourth position with 7.9 percent revenue share while HP and CA rounded out the top five with a statistical tie with 3.9 percent and 3.8 percent revenue share respectively.

For the full year 2009, EMC led the overall market with 22.7 percent revenue share. Symantec held onto the second position with 17.9 percent revenue share, with IBM finishing in the third position with 13.5 percent revenue share.

NetApp finished in the fourth position with eight percent revenue share, along with CA rounding out the top five with four percent market share in 2009.

Top 5 Vendors, Worldwide Storage Software Revenue, Full Year of 2009 (Revenues are in Millions)

Notes: Starting in Q2 2007, IBM is reported as the combined entity of IBM and Softek.

Notes: Starting in Q2 2007, IBM is reported as the combined entity of IBM and Softek.