EMC Unveils Low-Cost Data-Storage Product

EMC Corp., which became the world’s dominant data-storage firm selling pricey refrigerator-sized machines, unveiled a low-cost product designed for storing archived digital information such as X-rays, canceled bank checks and corporate e-mail.

EMC’s Centera product is being launched as the market for high-end data storage has turned into a vicious price war.

EMC is not giving an official revenue estimate for Centera, but some company insiders are saying it could potentially generate as much as $1 billion in revenue over the next 18 months.

Centera software and hardware costs about $210,000 and comes with five usable terabytes, or enough capacity to store and protect 625,000 X-rays.

Hopkinton, Mass.-based EMC’s flagship Symmetrix device costs more than $1 million, storing information that constantly changes such as a bank account balance.

EMC shares fell 1 cent to close at $9.12 on the New York Stock Exchange.