It will take some years before the market decides what combinations of storage topologies are optimum, as vendors and customers try different approaches to melding file system, disk storage, tape storage and network technologies. Organizations should ensure that experience is gained with multiple storage approaches, including emerging clustered designs for so-called cloud computing (e.g. Google File System, EMC's Hulk/Maui, etc). Such new architectures support an always-on approach and presume failure of components such that traditional backup may not be necessary.
These technologies should be tested at all stages from application design to operational implementation. Storage needs to be organized to encourage different approaches, including outsourcing storage to third parties.