No. 3: Sun Microsystems Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW)
This was a table setting year for Sun. It revamped its storage line with new midrange and enterprise SAN systems, beefed up its software, added NAS, and received a potential boost from the Hitachi Data Systems (HDS) TagmaStore high-end SAN that it resells (see Sun Sings New Storage Song, Megatrends Demos Virtualization, Sun Beefs Up Software Support , and Sun Streamlines Storage ). But it has yet to see positive financial results (see Sun Storage Slumps). Suns most recent storage revenue was down 9 percent from last year, and IDC figures show Sun losing SAN market share. If Sun cant turn its storage fortunes around in 2005, it probably never will.
No. 2: Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ)
After storage sales bottomed out in mid-2004, HP took steps to correct the problems (see HP Plots Storage Comeback). CEO Carly Fiorina made management changes and beefed up storage staff by 25 percent (see HP Storage Slammed). But even she admits HP faces a long struggle in getting back on track. HP storage revenues increased 16 percent sequentially last quarter but were still down 9 percent from the previous year (see HP Storage Down, But Improving). HP could benefit if the SMB market picks up for storage, because thats the companys traditional strong spot and it has new low-end NAS and SAN offerings. And its reseller deal for Hitachis TagmaStore should help on the high end. But theres no indication that sales of HPs troubled midrange Enterprise Virtual Array (EVA) systems are improving.
No. 1:
McData Corp. (Nasdaq: MCDTA)
The biggest storage M&A story of 2004 was one that never happened -- the consolidation of SAN switch companies. If McData struggles next year, you can expect it to be gobbled up. McData spent 2004 integrating technology from its 2003 acquisitions of Nishan Systems and Sanera Systems, and losing market share to Cisco and Brocade Communications Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: BRCD). (See SAN Switch Year-End Summary, McData Merely Mediocre, and McData Goes on Offensive.) Now, its ready to roll out new switches across the board, but it may be too late to win back share. If so, McData could be McToast.
Dave Raffo, Senior Editor, Byte and Switch
By combining resources and expertise, the AI-Enabled ICT Workforce Consortium will offer a blueprint for how industries can adapt to an AI-dominated future.
IT leaders should heed the guidance of cybersecurity insurance providers who think businesses should prioritize security education, incident preparedness, regular internal audits, and ongoing vulnerability scanning and patching.
There are many network courses that can address your present job's priorities and help you gain the needed skills to keep pace with industry changes and new technologies.
