This Forecast Update provides an overview of the external disk storage market by industry segment in Western Europe, based on a preliminary version of the new IDC external disk systems forecast as of the end of April 2008.

The analysis in this study highlights key changes in IDC's vertical markets forecast for external disk storage systems based on market developments observed over the last eight months; a more detailed analysis of key trends can be found in Western European Vertical Markets, External Disk Systems Spending Forecast, 2006?2011 (IDC #SS01P, September 2007).

A forecast for external disk system spending in Western Europe, over the 2006?2011 period, is provided for the following 11 vertical markets: discrete manufacturing; process manufacturing; retail/wholesale; transport; communications; utilities; financial services; business services; government; healthcare/education; other.