One of the biggest challenges with data protection is managing growth.  Some of the common factors that drive increasing capacity requirements include:

Intrinsic growth – Growth inherent in the environment as users create new data.

New applications – Companies implement new applications to meet changing business requirements.  These solutions could replace existing technologies or could be net new additions.  Either way, they often generate more data to protect and retain.

New data types – In today’s multimedia-centric world, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of audio, video and image files being created and protected. These files are much larger and more difficult to compress than traditional content.

Merger & Acquisition – As M&A activities occur, the acquiring entity must expand their IT infrastructure to absorb the acquired systems and processes.

The combination of these elements drives data growth and creates data backup, recovery and retention challenges.  Growth is constant and the image below (click for a larger view)  is a reminder of how data storage and protection has changed. It also brings the question: Do you want one system that can grow with your environment or many small ones that won’t?  If the latter, then how about I sell you 20 3380′s to replace your 50TB disk array?

[Editor’s Note: Jay cross-posted this at About Restore. –mrh]