There is no question that data de-duplication is a game-changing technology that fundamentally alters the economics of disk backup, making it even more compelling option than tape for data protection. However, there are some important technological and business issues organizations should consider when evaluating products to ensure a ???????best fit??????? today and in the future. This paper is second in the two-part ESG Series: ???????Data De-duplication and Disk-to-Disk Backup Systems??????? and examines the business considerations of implementing de-duplication, including the key components of a data de-duplication ROI analysis and a list of questions every organizations should ask potential vendors. For information on the technology considerations, please refer to Part I of this Series. Storage management disaster recovery tape drives and libraries ROI tools disc-based backup & storage / Raid Storage Security