A high-end storage system’s total cost of ownership (TCO) is like an iceberg: the vast majority of costs are hidden from view.

Comparing systems by looking at obvious factors, like capacity and box price, may be easier. But taking a fuller look at the factors impacting IT budgets over a system’s lifetime will yield a more accurate TCO assessment and, ultimately, a more informed decision as to which system is truly more favorable to the company's bottom line.