Compact libraries to generate $35.3 mln in Asia-Pacific in 2009

According to IDC, compact libraries are expected to achieve the greatest growth in the regional branded tape automation market in the next 4 years. Compact libraries are tape automation systems that support two to three tape drives and 21-30 cartridges. Sales of compact libraries are projected to reach $35.3 mln in 2009. This translates to a 2004-2009 Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.6%. IDC predicts that 2009 will see $109.4 mln worth of transactions in the small library segment. This would account for 38.1% of the market, forecast to total $286.9 mln by 2009.

In 2009, China is forecast to register the highest market share in revenue terms tape automation among the APEJ countries, accounting for 25.6% of total sales, followed by Australia at 19.1% and Korea at 12.7%. In terms of unit shipments for the region as a whole, IDC expects 13,965 units of tape automation products to be shipped in 2009. This represents a 2004-2009 CAGR of -2.4%. Autoloaders are projected to retain the majority share in this market (8,187 units), followed by small libraries (3,102 units) and compact libraries (1,903 units).