IDC ranks HP top in tape storage market

NEW DELHI: According to International Data Corporation (IDC) India, HP leads

the market in tape storage in both revenues and shipments. It accounted for a

share of 27.8 per cent by value in overall tape storage in the first half of

2001 (January-June) while Compaq and Tandberg were at the number two and three

position with 18.5 per cent percent and 14.5 per cent, respectively.

IDC segments tape storage into standalone tape drives which are either placed

internally in the server or are externally attached to the server. Standalone

tape drives includes technologies such as DDS Drives, SLR Drives, DLT Drives,

LTO Ultrium drives and Travan Drives. Automated tape systems are mechanical

cartridge handlers, capable of taking back up without human intervention. This

includes products such as Autoloaders and Libraries.

The report additionally estimates the Magneto-optical business. HP India

dominates the 5.2in form factor drive segment and is the only player present

directly in the market. The 5.2in MO constitute 60 per cent of overall drive

shipments currently used by niche segments such as movie production, hospitals

and pre-press, which require secure storage of niche amount of data.

"Our leadership position in the tape storage market is a reflection of

our customers confidence in our offering", said HP India, Marketing

Manager, Network Storage Solutions Avijit Basu. "HP has been growing in

market share of tape storage since the beginning of 2001 owing to our exhaustive

range of products, easy availability and competitive offers in the market

place", he added.