More than seven in 10 SMBs that use cloud-based storage solutions also use networked-attached storage, according to a recent In-Stat survey. While SMB NAS represents a smaller portion of the total NAS market, it is expected to grow at a much faster rate over the forecast period, with revenues reaching $2 billion in 2015, said In-Stat.
Network-attached storage is a specialized server connected to a network that provides file-based data storage services to other devices on the network. NAS systems typically have the capability to support one or more hard disk drives (HDDs), and often include features such as RAID (redundant array of independent disks) and backup/replication services for all the devices attached to the network.
"As the market has matured, the definition of NAS has taken on additional aspects," said Norm Bogen, vice president of research for In-Stat. "In particular, system management software has evolved into the most important feature of NAS adoption for several reasons, but primarily because it simplifies the user experience to set up and manage NAS products."
The research found 57.3 percent of SMB survey respondents use NAS technology products, and North America and Europe will represent 84.6 percent of the revenue opportunity for the SMB NAS market. Survey respondents that "don't use NAS" tend to have less than 50 employees.
The report, “Worldwide SMB Network-Attached Storage: Technology and Service Innovation Drive High Growth,” provides survey results and coverage of the SMB NAS market, including survey data relating to the use of NAS and cloud services, as well as an in-depth overview of the market and technology trends.
Another In-Stat report on NAS storage found the number of portable consumer electronics and computing devices in the home has grown over the last couple of years, and it will explode in the coming years. The report concluded that the need and use for NAS centralized storage will become more practical for one reason—content access.
For more, read the eWEEK article: NAS Revenues to Reach $2 Billion in 2015: Report.
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