Storage virtualization reduces the high cost involved in provisioning storage capacity for the above-mentioned functions in the enterprise class storage. "EMC Invista is our storage virtualization product," he said. Data de-duplication become a much talked-about technology in 2008 when EMC added de-dupe backup products. Considering major vendors are still new at de-duplication, it is expected to play a major role in storage sales in 2009. Consolidation is another technology witnessing a demand, as it creates an opportunity to reduce the need for multiple hardware boxes and can leverage the option of ILM in a single storage box, thereby reducing data center footprint, power requirement, etc. From an EMC perspective, the customer segments that are more proactive in investing on storage are the BFSI, telecom, IT/ITES, government, and manufacturing due to the large volumes of information being generated in these verticals.

"With EMC India having started its operations in 2000, entering into the SMB segment is a part of our growth strategy," he added. There are no figures available on the SMB spending on storage specifically but EMC estimates that their information solution needs are growing at more than 150 percent annually. "Globalization, security concerns, economic growth, and the new age information economy is making SMBs break away from the mould. In fact the SMB segment is an important adopter of technology now," said Sahai. The EMC Velocity Partner Program encourages partners to do marketing at their level for their customers to improve their competitiveness in the market and customer retention. With the need for managing information increasing, what is required is the right product portfolio to manage growth, reduce cost and improve efficiencies in their IT infrastructures. This a huge opportunity for channel partners with technologies like de-duplication and virtualization taking the centre stage," said Sahai.