Price wars are forecast for industrial PC market

Price wars are forecast for industrial PC market Price wars are likely to escalate in the industrial PC (IPC) market as suppliers battle for a larger share of this burgeoning sector. This is one the conclusions of an analysis of the global market for IPCs just published by ARC*.

Last year, IPC sales hit a record figure of almost $650m, says ARC. It predicts that the market will continue to expand at an average annual rate of more than 10%. Falling prices mean that the numbers of IPCs sold will grow even faster at an average of more than 15% a year, through to 2003.

ARC attributes the expansion of the market to a combination of factors including the improved performance, lower prices, faster databuses and more stable operation of recent IPCs. As a result, high-growth industries such as telecommunications are using industrial PCs more widely.

Another factor identified by ARC is the continuing strength of the global economy and the expected expansion of the manufacturing sector, especially in Asia where the worst of the economic problems seem to be over.

*Industrial PC global outlook. Price $4,500. Details from the ARC Web site (www.arcweb.com) or by phone on 00 1 781 471 1000.