The primary function of the storage system is to reliably store the files and database of the company and allow rapid retrieval by multiple users. For most enterprises, storage choices can be evaluated in terms of availability-that is latency and transfer rate, and cost per megabyte. However, the SME faces a much greater challenge in managing the growth of its storage capacity, which may be rapid but will always be unpredictable. For this reason the SME will look for a storage solution which can start small but can scale easily.

with the ability to add storage quickly and easily in small or large modules with minimal disruption to the system while maintaining the same level of accessibility and cost per megabyte. While the large enterprise will plan for a growth in capacity of 20-50 percent per annum, the SME must plan for a growth from zero percent to 200 percent or more per annum.