Disk-to-disk keeps pressure on tape
As disk-based systems continue their incursion into backup environments, many industry pros are quick to point out that tape's role, although changed, won't be significantly reduced. Past surveys have supported that thesis, showing that tape spending held its own while disk backup systems steadily grew in popularity. The current survey, however, suggests that a more definitive shift from tape may be taking place.
Twenty-four percent of respondents indicate they plan to decrease their spending for tape systems in 2007, a fairly hefty increase over the 18% reported last fall (see graph 5, "Tape feeling brunt of disk-based backup as companies cut back on spending," at right). Perhaps even more telling is that only 33% say they'll increase tape spending vs. 47% in our previous survey. The jury is still out on tape's demise or at least its diminished role until further surveys can establish this spending pattern as a trend.
But there's further evidence that the love affair with tape may be waning. For those respondents who plan to purchase tape libraries in 2007, the average number of slots indicated is 130 vs. the 159 reported a year ago, a drop of approximately 18%. Higher capacity media certainly contributes to the lower slot count, but less reliance on tape is another apparent factor.
