COM And C.O.L.D. Today And Tomorrow

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COM to COLD Transition - COLD Services

COM And C.O.L.D. Today And Tomorrow

If the outlook for COM is healthy, then by comparison growth projections for C.O.L.D., particularly using CD-ROM media, are nothing short of phenomenal. With the major software manufacturers now producing almost all new application programs and technical documentation on CD-ROM, it is fast becoming the "de-facto" standard for data distribution within the computer industry. Indeed, within 18 months Microsoft's President Bill Gates predicts that every computer manufactured will be equipped with the capability of reading CD-ROM and will have at least one CD-ROM drive.

As a result, everyone will be able to read and access CD-ROM. What does CD-ROM represent for physically shrinking the storage space for data? Recall that telephone book size 2,000 page report discussed earlier which would fit into a few microfiche. A single CD-ROM can hold about 100 of these reports or over 200,000 pages of information, the equivalent of 10 four-drawer filing cabinets. Imagine a wall of paper that fits into your hands. Obviously, the business potential is enormous.

According to one industry source, electronic imaging is currently growing at a rate of over 40% per year. A recent Rothchild Survey projects the number of "optical disks recorders", i.e. C.O.L.D. system users, will triple within two years and exponentially increase be a factor of 20 within five years. Indeed, the growth potential is nothing short of spectacular.