EMC

More than a hardware storage company, EMC's portfolio includes software and consulting services.

The storage stalwart was established in 1979 and is based in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. EMC has presence in more than 50 countries around the world and employs almost 31,000 people worldwide.

To move from purely storage into information-management, EMC went on an acquisition spree of software companies with expertise in storage management, virtualization, data protection and replication, and systems management over the last three years.

In October this year, EMC reported a fall in profit in the third quarter that ended in September, and also revealed plans to cut 1,250 staff by the end of 2007.

EMC ranks among ZDNet Asia's Top 10 fastest-growing companies for 2006/07.