It is characterized by drive, system, software, and automation lines of business and applications. This document specifically looks at the business opportunity in a segment of the overall CD-systems business, that of CD jukeboxes. These are high performance, reliable network storage devices based on optical jukebox technology. CD ROM changers are based on audio mechanisms and a single drive, usually handling less than 10 cartridges. This forecast analysis does not include the changer market because they are not representative of the real demand for network-class storage systems.
Changers fit into a low-end application set and are often found on the desktop.
The 1996 forecast is expected to be flat due to the success of the changer market in displacing the Pioneer 18 cartridge system. The larger jukebox market is catching up in 1996 and filling the void. The approach to forecasting this market, beyond 1996, is based on a market penetration analysis. CD jukeboxes attach to the network behind a server. Servers form a unit of measure defining the size and scale of network services and make the best metric with which to create a tie-ratio to jukebox adoption.