The EMEA external disc storage market suffered in the first
quarter of 2009, dented by the recession and volatile currency
markets.
According to data released by market watcher IDC today, revenues
across the region fell 19.1% year-on-year to $1.36bn.
"It's tough out there," said Eric Sheppard, programme director
for European storage research. "There is a currency headwind, price
erosion and lower demand."
Large projects were shelved to the benefit of lower cost iSCSIs
which grew 107% to $95m, but all other installation environments
including Nas, Fibre Channel Sans and external Das experienced
double-digit declines.
External arrays under $15,000 was the major price band that
grew, climbing 27.6% to $244m, as segments above this saw
significant falls forcing down average sales prices by 25% to
30%.
"Companies are spending money but clearly they are shifting to
lower-cost arrays, they have put the brakes on big projects," said
Sheppard.
Out of the five major vendors within EMEA, fourth placed Dell -
including EqualLogic - fared the best, with a 2.8% decline in
revenues to $137.9m.
Holding on the highest market share of 23%, EMC saw a 14.5% dip
in revenues to $294m, while the value of HP sales fell 27% to
$198.2m, IBM dropped 26.7% to $160.4m and NetApp went down 15.4% to
$105m.