As posted on the AOL board, this study validates the retail
after market demand and the importance of this segment.
With the PC manufactures driving costs of PCs into a commodity
price range, the retail position of Zip is more important than
I had previously given credit for. Looks like the new lower
pricing is designed to take advantage of this growing segment .
Zip dominates the retail market,they are poised to take advantage
of this sub $600. segment.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
IDC Survey Reveals Attachment Rate of High-Capacity Removable Magnetic Storage Devices is Increasing
Removable Magnetic Storage Fulfills Vital Roles for Commercial and Consumer
Applications
FRAMINGHAM, Mass., March 22 /PRNewswire/ -- The attachment of high-capacity removable magnetic storage devices to PCs is increasing. However, these devices are still sold as an after-market option, according to a recent International Data Corporation (IDC) survey titled U.S. Removable Magnetic User Survey, 1998.
Ten percent of commercial respondents from the survey said at the time of purchase their PCs were equipped with a high-capacity magnetic drive such as a Zip, SuperDisk, or Jaz. However, when the same respondents were asked if their PCs are currently equipped with such a device, the response rate doubled. The survey data from consumer respondents reveals an even larger trend toward after-market sales. Approximately 8% of consumer respondents bought
their PCs with a high-capacity magnetic drive, but more than 28% currently have them.
"In the past, PC OEMs have been reluctant to build in high-capacity magnetic drives as a standard feature because of the additional cost they add," said Robert Amatruda, Senior Analyst, Tape and Removable Storage with IDC's Storage Mechanisms Research program. "This has created a burgeoning after-market for these drives." IDC believes that OEM opportunities do exist for manufacturers of high-capacity removable magnetic storage.
The U.S. Removable Magnetic User Survey, 1998 represents IDC's first formal review of commercial and consumer segments specifically designed to uncover trends in the usage of fixed, optical, and removable magnetic data storage devices. It reveals insights with regard to usage patterns of these devices.
When asked what specific brand of removable magnetic drive they have on their PCs, an overwhelming majority of both commercial and consumer respondents indicated that they have a Zip drive. The survey indicates that the most common use of Zip drives among commercial users is as a data interchange tool, as cited by close to 61% of respondents. Consumer users, on the other hand, are mostly using their Zip drive for
backup, as indicated by nearly 32% of respondents.
"High-capacity removable magnetic storage now fulfills a broad range of user needs in both the commercial/business and consumer arenas," Amatruda said. "These devices serve as a conduit for backup, archive, date interchange, and migration of data for long-term storage." IDC believes the outlook for high-capacity removable magnetic storage remains strong as commercial and consumer users continue to need incremental fast access storage.
To purchase a copy of the bulletin based on the survey, U.S. Removable Magnetic User Survey Results, 1998 (IDC #B18359), contact Sue Beauregard at 1-800-343-4952, ext. 4774 or at sbeauregard@idc.com. For more information on IDC's Storage Mechanisms Research program, please visit idc.com. IDC's Web site (http://www.idc.com) contains additional company information, recent news releases, and it offers
full-text searching of the latest available research.
About IDC
International Data Corporation is the information technology industry's most comprehensive resource on worldwide IT markets, trends, products, vendors, and geographies. IDC provides data, analysis, and advisory services to the world's leading IT suppliers as well as IS professionals in finance, insurance, entertainment, advertising, consumer goods, and publishing. IDC's research and opinions are based on the results of more than 300,000 end-user
surveys, in-depth competitive analysis, broad technology coverage, and strategic analysis. IDC is committed to providing global research with local content through its 500 analysts in more than 40 countries worldwide. Additional information on IDC can be found on its Web site at idc.com.
IDC is a division of International Data Group, the world's leading IT media, research, and exposition company.
All product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
SOURCE International Data Corporation
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