IDC's Technology Valuation Services: Storage provides core data and information for IT financing providers and product managers to understand equipment life cycles and measure risk in IT investments. This service provides technology assessments, including detailed road maps, current fair market values, and residual value forecasts for IT equipment portfolio managers, product marketing managers, sales professionals, procurement executives, and IT financing and leasing specialists. Technologies covered within this service include midrange and high-end enterprise storage from tier 1 vendors. Residual value forecasts are provided in our detailed life cycle report, and we conduct quarterly telebriefings to review market trends, product announcements, and vendor developments.

• EMC VMAX, VNX, Symmetrix, and CLARiiON storage products
• HP StorageWorks, 3PAR, EVA, and XP storage products
• Hitachi Data Systems storage products
• IBM midrange and enterprise storage products
• Network Appliance storage products
• Oracle/Sun enterprise storage products
• Quantitative forecasts of secondary market values (residual values) for specified products
• Technology assessments provided throughout the product life cycle
• Evaluation of vendor primary and secondary market strategies
• Assessment of related software licensing and maintenance practices on product secondary market prices

• EMC Enterprise Storage Life-Cycle Analysis
• EMC CLARiiON Life-Cycle Analysis
• HP StorageWorks Life-Cycle Analysis
• Hitachi Storage Life-Cycle Analysis
• IBM Enterprise Storage Life-Cycle Analysis
• Oracle/Sun Life-Cycle Analysis
• Network Appliance Storage Life-Cycle Analysis

In addition to the insight provided in this service, IDC may conduct research on specific topics or emerging market segments via research offerings that require additional IDC funding and client investment.

1. What are the forecast secondary market prices for specified equipment (residual values) one to five years into the future?
2. What are the technology, market, and competitive issues confronting the vendor for the specified equipment?
3. How will new product features impact equipment resale prices one to four years after introduction?
4. How will the increasingly global used equipment market impact used equipment prices and secondary market dynamics?
5. How will new product discounting practices impact the resale for each type of equipment one to four years into the future?

IDC's Technology Valuation Services: Storage research examines how key providers are positioning themselves to compete in the major server, storage, networking, and communications markets. This service reviews strategies, market positioning, and the future direction of several providers, including EMC, Hitachi Data Systems, HP, IBM, Network Appliance, StorageTek, and Oracle/Sun.

For IT suppliers or IT buyers doing business planning and budgeting, sales and marketing, or performance measurement, we have the custom offerings to optimize your success at every stage of your business. Our data- and content-driven approach helps you make better decisions, drive more effective marketing programs, and effectively measure your success - resulting in a greater return on your investment.

Whether you are a technology buyer or provider, IDC Insights' research translates today's global end-user requirements and trends into business opportunities for your organization. With dedicated businesses targeting energy, financial services, government, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail, IDC provides unmatched integration of global technology and vertical industry expertise to deliver industry-specific customer intelligence that gives clients a powerful business advantage.

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