Thin client devices see growth: IDC

A report from IDC, entitled "Australia Thin Client Forecast, 2004 - 2008," says the thin client device market achieved record sales of 42,012 units in 2003.

Michael Sager, IDC market analyst for PC hardware said acceptance of thin-client devices in Australia was on the up, with end-users regarding total cost of ownership and security as among the benefits.

Wyse continued to dominate the local market with 64.6 percent share of the total thin client market in 2003 while Hewlett Packard was able to maintain its hold on second position with 14.8 percent share. Sun Microsystems came in third with 7.6 percent, Neoware on fourth place with 5.2 percent and Maxspeed with 3 percent.

Wyse Technology Oceania regional director Rick Ferguson, claimed the figures showed the market "has taken off in a big way".

Ferguson added that the company had experienced strong growth across a number of markets in Australia, including government, health, education, transport and retail.

From a vendor share perspective, Sun Microsystems displayed the greatest growth, although off of a smaller installed base, of 106.2 percent from 2002.

Strong thin client device markets will consist of call centres, education sector, mining, businesses and offices that are geographically spread across Australia.

IDC said the five year forecast through 2008 will see a continued growth, standing at 106,117 units with a compound annual growth rate of 20.4 percent over this period.

"The efforts of local vendors to educate the Australian market on the benefits of thin client devices are paying off. The introduction of solutions such as the Consolidated Client Infrastructure (CCI) from Hewlett Packard will only help to increase awareness and drive growth in the overall market," added Sager.