preface "exa-" as it refers to the data storage

We're going to be hearing the preface "exa-" as it refers to the data storage industry a lot more as time goes on, so we might as well get used to it.
A current illustration of this point is object-based storage provider Cleversafe, which launched a new multi-rack array system Jan. 30 that can hold billions of objects inside up to 10 exabytes of capacity.
That's a serious amount of space. While some people describe it as limitless, it isn't—but it's pretty close.
For those who would like to see the actual numbers that describe just 1 exabyte, here they are: 1 exabyte = 1,000 petabytes = 1,000,000 terabytes = 1,000,000,000 gigabytes = 1,000,000,000,000 megabytes = 1,000,000,000,000,000 kilobytes = 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 bytes.
Terabyte Loads Now Routine
Enterprises are now routinely storing workloads comprised of terabytes of data, which eventually add up to petabytes of storage. All those packs of petabytes also pile up as time goes on, so what's the next level of storage needed? Right: exabytes.
Realistically, only the true high-end enterprise systems—such as those deployed by scientific researchers, online game providers, digital video studios, stock markets, government and military installations and high-end financial services companies—are using petabyte-type storage now and will be looking at exabyte-able storage in 2012 or 2013.
But Chicago-basedCleversafe is one storage provider that figures no time is better than the present for planning for the future.