Flash Based Array Market

Increasing demand for low cost and high performance all-flash array products is driving global flash-based array market growth

The global flash-based array market was valued at nearly US$ 15 Bn in 2015 and is expected to reach nearly US$ 63 Bn by 2024 end. In terms of value, the global flash-based array market is expected to register a CAGR of 18% over the forecast period.

North America Flash-Based Array Market Analysis

In terms of revenue, the U.S. is projected to be the most attractive market in the North America flash-based array market during the forecast period. The market in Canada is expected to register high Y-o-Y growth rates throughout the forecast period and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 17.3% between 2016 and 2024.

In terms of revenue share, the market in U.S. accounted for a relatively high share, and was valued at nearly US$ 5,000 Mn in 2015. The U.S. market is expected to remain dominant during the forecast period.

Key Takeaways

In terms of revenue, the hybrid flash array segment is projected to be the most attractive segment in the North America flash-based array market during the forecast period. All-flash array segment is expected to register high Y-o-Y growth rates throughout the forecast period and revenue is expected to register a CAGR of 24.1% between 2016 and 2024. Hybrid flash array segment accounted for a relatively high revenue share, and was valued at nearly US$ 5,000 Mn in 2015. This segment is expected to remain dominant during the forecast period.

In terms of revenue, large enterprises segment is projected to be the most attractive segment in the North America flash-based array market during the forecast period. SMEs segment is expected to register high Y-o-Y growth rates throughout the forecast period and revenue is expected to register a CAGR of 18.1% between 2016 and 2024. Large enterprises segment accounted for a relatively high revenue share, and was valued at nearly US$ 4,000 Mn in 2015. Large enterprises segment is expected to remain dominant during the forecast period.

In terms of revenue, more than 1PB segment is projected to be the most attractive segment in the North America flash-based array market during the forecast period. Between 100 TB to 500 TB segment is also expected to register high Y-o-Y growth rates throughout the forecast period and is expected to register a CAGR of 17.1% over the forecast period.

In terms of revenue, BFSI segment is projected to be the most attractive segment in the North America flash-based array market during the forecast period. Media and entertainment segment is expected to register high Y-o-Y growth rates throughout the forecast period and is expected to register a CAGR of 20% between 2016 and 2024. BFSI segment accounted for a relatively high revenue share, and was valued at nearly US$ 1,500 Mn in 2015. BFSI segment is expected to remain dominant during the forecast period.

Market opportunities creating new revenue streams for flash-based array solution providers

Increasing need for real-time data processing 

Growing adoption of cloud computing, mobile devices, Internet of Things, cognitive systems, artificial intelligence, and machine learning is driving the need for real-time data processing in order to enable delivery of efficient services, anytime, anywhere in the shortest time possible. This real-time data processing feature is fueling demand for high performance data storage systems that are in line with the requirement of the above-mentioned technologies.

Need for innovative flash array solutions for Big Data and unstructured data

Proliferation of big data and unstructured data requires innovative storage systems to store data for long periods of time as well as offer easy accessibility. Big data and unstructured data volumes are expected to register a high CAGR over the next five years. Currently, most all-flash arrays have addressed structured data at high performance transactional processing requirements. In addition, the need for efficient storage systems for unstructured data and big data is creating potential market opportunities and resulting in leading flash array vendors developing and offering innovative solutions in the market. In March 2016 for instance, Pure Storage launched Flash Blade Array to target unstructured and big data, file-access workloads, while other vendors are yet to offer such solutions.

Analyst Viewpoint

Traditional vendors are gaining market traction

Initially, in flash array market start-ups were playing a prominent role because these enterprises introduced a new revolution in the storage market through flash-based SSD – a non-movable drive that stores data on solid-state flash memory. Start-ups have implemented new innovation in terms of technical development and this new revolution has encouraged six big storage system vendors to include flash options in their storage product portfolio to sustain their position in the market.

Market Segmentation