this should be good for MGI, more oem deal coming.JMO
Double-Digit Growth Expected for Worldwide Scanner Market, IDC Says
Flatbed Shipments to Reach 38.9 Million in 2003
FRAMINGHAM, Mass., June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Worldwide scanner shipments
reached an impressive 13.9 million units in 1998 and will experience continued
double-digit growth through 2003. According to new research from International
Data Corporation (IDC), a flood of flatbed color scanners is driving this
extraordinary growth, and worldwide shipments of these devices will reach
38.9 million units by 2003.
Price wars among flatbed vendors in the second half of 1998 have caused
scanner prices to drop off the table and bottom out below $100. With such low
price points, scanners have become a nice-to-have impulse purchase. In
addition to low prices, versatility of flatbed scanners is also enticing
buyers. Application flexibility for scanning documents, images, photos, and
transparencies is attractive to a larger market than sheetfed, handheld, and
35mm scanners. However, consumers' buying behavior indicates that price is
almost always the determining factor.
The Internet explosion in both home and business environments is also a
key driver for the worldwide scanner market. "The Internet has opened new
communication channels for businesses to reach their clients and for families
to stay in touch," said Ron Glaz, research manager at IDC. "The growth of the
Internet has spurred growth in worldwide PC shipments and the need and desire
for color images."
Key Findings
-- Worldwide flatbed scanner price declines and resultant growth have
cannibalized other scanner technology segments.
-- Utilization of scanners has migrated to the non-graphic professional
user.
-- Lower scanner prices have provided an opportunity for consumers, with
limited to no scanner knowledge, to learn how to take advantage of scanner
technology.
-- Once educated, consumers view scanners as an important component of
their home system to resolve their copier and fax needs.
-- The handheld scanner as an information appliance is an opportunity for
vendors to address niche markets.
-- Color contact image sensor (CIS) technology has been introduced into
the flatbed scanner market.
Data and trend information for this study was collected through surveys
and in-depth interviews with marketing and product management representing
more than 50 scanner vendors. Secondary sources, such as third-party component
suppliers, resellers, and resources in IDC's extensive information base, were
used to supplement primary research.
IDC's report, {Word for Windows Conversion |The Worldwide Scanner Market
Review and Forecast 1998-2003} (IDC #B19316), presents a view of the worldwide
and regional scanner markets. It reviews issues, trends, and product
innovations that transpired during 1998. For the worldwide data, this reports
contains 1997-1998 actual unit shipments and value (in street price dollars)
of shipments, 1999-2003 forecast, as well as 1998 market share data by
technology. Regionally, the data is broken into the United States, Western
Europe, Asia/Pacific, and the rest of world. For each of these regions, the
report presents market share data by technology. To order a copy of the
report, contact Sue Beauregard at 1-800-343-4952, ext. 4774 or at
sbeauregard@idc.com. |
