Co-opetition in Tape Storage: HP, IBM, and Seagate Revolutionize the Market

Strategic Insights -

World Business Review, a weekly television series, featured a panel discussion between top executives from HP, IBM, and Seagate on the topic of "Cooperate to Compete." The three tech giants have developed a new technology, Linear Tape-Open (LTO), which provides reliable data backup and has sparked a wave of co-opetition in the tape storage market. LTO technology offers a single, scalable solution for high-capacity tape drives and cartridges, accessible to any manufacturer who licenses the technology.

Key Takeaways:

  • The development of LTO technology is driven by the escalating need for high-capacity, reliable storage solutions, with storage demands growing at a rate of 40-70% annually.
  • HP, IBM, and Seagate have collaborated to create a joint specification, redefining the field for competition and providing a fresh approach to tape technology.
  • LTO technology incorporates the best-of-breed technology of each company, resulting in high-capacity tape drives and cartridges that take a scalable approach to tape storage.
  • The technology offers two distinct tape storage architectures: one for fast access and retrieval of data and another for high-capacity backup and archive solutions.
  • Co-opetition has led to the creation of 25 licensees, including Fuji Photofilm, Fujitsu, Imation, Maxell, Philips, and TDK, offering a variety of LTO-based products to customers.
  • Industry expert Bob Amatruda stated that LTO technology serves to meet the technical needs where current tape technology has fallen short, providing a reliable and scalable solution.
  • Storage Tek, a world leader in information storage and management solutions, has adopted LTO technology, which will help them meet the growing needs of their customers.

Statistics:

  • Storage demands are growing at a rate of 40-70% annually in the tape storage market.
  • LTO technology is licensed by 25 companies, including Fuji Photofilm, Fujitsu, Imation, Maxell, Philips, and TDK.
  • The LTO architecture has resulted in the creation of high-capacity tape drives and cartridges from any manufacturer who licenses the technology.
  • Customers will be able to pick and choose outstanding technology at a very competitive price due to the numerous licensees offering LTO-based products.

Sources:

  • Business Wire: "Multi-Media Productions' World Business Review Features Industry Leaders On CBS Affiliate Stations"
  • World Business Review (Program transcript)
  • World Business Review (Field Report from San Jose, Calif.)