Demand for ruggedized/industrial computer systems in North America and Western Europe will grow to nearly $1.9 billion by 2006. That's a compound annual growth rate of 4.4% from 2003's level, about $1.648 billion, according to a report by Venture Development Corp.
The largest sector of the market, defense and aerospace, will experience the highest growth during the period—5% a year. At that rate, it will hit $735 million by 2006 (see the figure). The worldwide political environment's increased defense budgets, especially for acquition of new weapons, will drive this growth. Also, defense and aerospace systems will use more computer systems.
Through the late 1990s, communications showed the greatest demand for ruggedized computer systems. Yet VDC notes that communications suffered a contraction between 2000 and 2004, and it is just now beginning to recover. The report pegs the sector's growth rate through 2006 at 4.5%. The slowest growth rate expected is 3.5% in the industrial automation control and instrumentation sector.
The report also offers information on other market trends. It includes forecasts about the types of microprocessors, operating systems, backplanes, and feature requirements that will be used during this period.
For more information about the report, "North American and Western European Market Demand for Ruggedized/Industrial Computer Systems," contact Jim Taylor, group manager at VDC, at [email protected].
Venture Development Corp.www.vdc-corp.com