Despite Winston’s Churchill’s admonition to avoid predictions until after events occur, Spectra Logic is publishing its third annual Data Storage Outlook that casts an eye on the future regarding the storage, management and preservation of the world’s treasury of digital information. Knowledge and digital data play vital roles in our global society and, with the digital world exploding at unprecedented rates, digital information must be captured, leveraged and contained for years to come. And, in many cases, must be preserved indefinitely. Predicting future data storage needs and the technologies to satisfy them may not be as exciting as downloading the latest app or playing a virtual reality game, but it is important to storage and media manufacturers, application developers, and all sizable users of data. Understanding future costs, technologies, and applications is vital to today’s planning and tomorrow’s success.