Report: Backup tape cartridge sales dropped in 3rd quarter of 2011

A market research firm reported this week that sales of backup tape cartridges fell by 4% during the third quarter of last year, with the industry bringing in about $178.2 million from cartridges in that period.

According to Santa Clara Consulting Group, which provides research on the removable data storage market, those sales fell below the firm’s predicted sales figure of about $190.2 million during that time.

The research firm also reported that LTO format tapes were the majority of sales during the third quarter, with more than 89 percent, or nearly $158.9 million. The report also noted that LTO-5 sales were up by 12 percent – (LTO-5 also made up more than one-third of sales) – and LTO-4 made up nearly half of tape sales. Remaining sales of LTO were from earlier generations of the format, and are expected to decline, according to the report.

HP led the LTO market with 32 percent of sales, followed by Fuji and IBM, according to the report.