We conduct ongoing research into data storage technologies including hardware, software and services management.

FORBES: I'm a storage guy focused on Big Data

My specialties include storage technologies applied to Big Data analytics (primary), data management, virtualization, and analysis of storage infrastructure acquisition alternatives.

FORBES: I'm a storage guy focused on Big Data

Coughlin Associates provides market and technology analysis (including reports on several digital storage technologies and applications and a newsletter) as well as Data Storage Technical Consulting services.

FORBES: Tom Coughlin - Storage Bytes - Archive

But as the cloud resolves issues of data storage and management, and mobile and social technologies allow for easy and immediate information sharing, Big Data now can be crunched and shared throughout an organization, leading to better decision-making and outcomes for all sorts of enterprises.

FORBES: The Big Deal On Big Data

Another issue is that our insatiable demand for more storage leads to denser storage technologies on media that has a finite life and also leads to our using data and hardware formats that may last for an even shorter time than the media.

FORBES: Storing Information for a Thousand Years

Exponential growth in digital information and greater adoption of newer technologies like cloud computing, big data and virtualization have contributed to growth in external storage systems, and EMC will be the biggest beneficiary with its stronghold in SAN and NAS markets as well as continued growth in unified storage.

FORBES: EMC Runs To $37 On Booming External Storage Market