How to prevent further NAND commoditization - An iSuppli flash memory Webinar

The global economic downturn isn't helping the NAND flash market, with the per-megabyte price for the memory plummeting by 36 percent in the first quarter alone, according to iSuppli Corp.

iSuppli has slashed its 2008 NAND flash market growth forecast to 9 percent, down from 27 percent due to a weaker-than-anticipated demand outlook. iSuppli predicts the average price per megabyte will drop by 56 percent for the entire year.

The biggest challenge facing the data flash market is the lack of consumer confidence. Given that NAND-flash sales are driven by consumer demand, individuals' level of confidence is a major factor in the market.

As prices plummet, NAND technology risks being further driven into commodity status. To stave off this creeping commoditization, a reeducation of consumers might be necessary.

"In the increasingly competitive flash-storage market, a company's success will depend on its capability to create a brand name," said Dee Nguyen, analyst at iSuppli. "The success of the industry as a whole will depend on how well suppliers can educate consumers, get them to think outside of the 'flash storage device' box, and usher them to the forefront of digital convergence. Without these strategies, the industry should brace itself for further commoditization."

-- How much is the retail flash storage market being impacted by the economic downturn in the United States?
-- What challenges do suppliers and retailers face in the near term?
-- Which industry players have been most successful, and what strategies did they employ?
-- How did the flash storage card market perform in the first quarter?
-- Which supplier made or lost the most money?

Learn the answers to these and many other questions by joining Nguyen for a unique Webinar entitled: New Winners Emerge in the NAND Flash Storage Device Market Share Battle, held on Wednesday, June 11 at 8:30 a.m. U.S. Pacific time.

Attendees can call in to the Webinar to hear Nguyen's comments and can use an Internet browser to view the presentation slides. Nguyen will take questions from Webinar attendees.

www.isuppli.com