To: robert elmasian who wrote (6884 ) 12/29/1997 9:38:00 PM From: Gus Read Replies (1) | Respond to
DLT and tape industry news...Unit Shares Shifting Eight-millimeter libraries again captured top volume position in the tape library market,commanding a 43% share of 1997 unit shipments, up 2% from the previous year. This position should be bolstered in future years thanks to added 8-millimeter demand generated by AIT and Magstar MP libraries. DLT models surged to a 36% share of this growing market, up an impressive 11% from 1996, aided by recent increases in capacity and performance. DAT libraries continued to hold third spot, at 10%, and grew in total volume, but tumbled from their 19% share of the 1996 market. According to Abraham, "Delays in availability of DDS-3 drives and incursions by DLT libraries, plus the future impact of AIT and QIC libraries, have caused a substantial lowering of our projection for DAT libraries in future years....." Revenue Rankings Quite Different The much higher prices commanded by half-inch cartridge tape libraries propelled them to a wide lead in industry revenues. These models accounted for the majority of library revenue, at 57%, even though this figure dropped from a dominating 76% in 1996. "Large capacity, high transfer rates, and fully standardized media and interchange formats account for the popularity of these products," observed Abraham. A shift to smaller configurations will constrain revenue growth, however. businesswire.com freemaninc.com
