IDC's Worldwide Global StorageSphere Taxonomy, 2026

This IDC study defines and provides a framework for analyzing the installed base of storage capacity, the amount of the installed base of storage capacity that is utilized, and the portion of the installed base that is available for storing data for any given year."Storage economics are shifting as organizations balance performance, cost, resilience, and AI-enabled value," says Adam Wright, research manager for IDC's Global DataSphere and StorageSphere. "The 2026 Global StorageSphere taxonomy provides an outline to classify storage technologies and help decision-makers understand what drives capacity growth and where strategic investment is required."