Server And Systems Customers Propel Tape Storage Market

Hewlett-Packard controlled some 29 percent of tape drive volume and revenue for the 2004 calendar year, according to a report on the branded tape storage market released Monday by market research firm IDC.

IBM was ranked lower in worldwide volume with 17 percent, but the firm captured 33 percent of the market's revenue.

IDC said IBM and HP each accounted for 23 percent of midrange tape market revenue. "Suppliers in the worldwide tape market have become increasingly reliant on top-tier server and system customers as a route to market," said Robert Amatruda, research manager, IDC's Tape and Removable Storage, in a statement.

IDC noted that other key suppliers in the category include StorageTek and ADIC.