"In-Stat Ranks 3Com No. 1 in Market Again - Networking At Core of Small Business Internet Use"
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 10, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The "Internet evolution"
will not leave small businesses behind, predicts Cahners In-Stat Group, a
high-tech market research firm.
As these firms accept and adopt Internet-enabled business strategies into their
day-to-day routines, their demand for network hardware is expected to explode.
Small businesses accounted for roughly 24 percent of network hardware vendor
revenue in 1999 and are likely to continue to be a prime growth market.
By 2004, In-Stat estimates that half of the small business market will be
eBusiness-enabled, with more than 90 percent of these firms using networks.
According to Kneko Burney, director of In-Stat's Markets & Computing Research,
"As the Internet continues to be incorporated into business processes within the
small business market, these companies will invest in the technologies that
enable them to leverage the power of the Internet.
"Networks are the core of eBusiness. Network hardware vendors are empowering
these businesses with the ability to better access and share Internet
resources."
In addition, the emergence of application services in small companies will
become an opportunity for network hardware companies. The adoption of
application services will require both LAN and WAN equipment to become more
intelligent and dynamic, even in the smallest businesses.
In-Stat estimates there are more than 2.4 million small businesses in the U.S.,
with this market expected to grow steadily to more than 2.8 million firms in
2004. These firms will employ over 40 million employees and will continue to be
the prime growth market for inexpensive, easy-to-use networking gear.
In-Stat also finds that:
-- Carriers are likely to emerge as an important conduit for
small business network hardware over the next two years.
-- 3Com maintained its position as the No. 1 ranked overall
networking hardware provider for small businesses in the
second half of 1999, with Intel, Linksys, Nortel and NDC
following respectively.
-- Cisco's investments into channel and partner relationships
have allowed the firm to capture the No. 1 ranking in the
brand awareness category.
The report Growth Market Rankings for Network Hardware: Small Business, 2H 1999
(No. GN0001RK) covers market demographics, trends and network penetration in the
small business market. The report also ranks top small business network hardware
vendors such as 3Com, Cisco, Nortel Networks, Intel and Netgear, based on
product portfolios, channel strategies, brand strategies and web resources.
The report recommends optimal vendor strategies for the small business market.
To purchase this report or for more information, please visit
instat.com or call Courtney McEuen at
480/609-4533; cmceuen@instat.com.
Cahners In-Stat Group (http://www.instat.com) covers the full spectrum of
digital communications research from vendor to end-user, providing the analysis
and perspective that allows technology vendors and service providers worldwide
to make more informed business decisions. |
