Microsoft OS Continues to Dominate the Industrial Operator Interface Marketplace

There is a small but growing revenue share derived from products being used with Linux. Linux is like UNIX operating systems in that it provides a reliable, scalable platform with many of the desired features of UNIX, but in a truly open system. It is not necessary to purchase expensive "client-access" licenses to apply Linux. The capabilities of Linux continue to expand with thousands of developers collaborating via the Internet to develop new Linux features, including improving reliability and scalability, and adding new applications and tools.

Natick, MA (PRWEB) April 14, 2005 -- A market study by Venture Development Corporation finds that the majority of vendor North American operator interface application software revenues are derived from products based on Microsoft operating systems.

Current and Forecast Vendor North American Industrial Stationary Operator Interface Application Software Revenue Shares Segmented by Operating Systems (Percent of Dollar Volumes)

2004
- Windows XP: 26.9%
- Proprietary: 19.2%
- Windows NT: 15.3%
- Windows CE: 7.9%
- Windows 2000: 18.0%
- Linux: 3.2%    
- Longhorn: 1.6%
- Windows 98: 4.3%
- Other: 3.6%

2006
- Windows XP: 40.1%
- Proprietary: 17.4%
- Windows NT: 10.0%
- Windows CE: 9.4%
- Windows 2000: 8.7%
- Linux: 5.1%
- Longhorn: 4.9%
- Windows 98: 0.0%
- Other: 4.4%

Significant trends shaping the North American market include:

I. Microsoft. Microsoft OSs are seen to be the dominant leaders for usage with industrial operator interface terminals. Many users will only consider changing to newer versions as they are released, and also as the application software for use with these systems become available. While not perfect, many swear by Microsoft operating systems.

- One of the more significant benefits in using Windows XP is that it provides more flexibility and ease of use for communication interfaces than earlier Windows OSs.
- Once Microsoft releases Longhorn, operator interface application software that works with this OS should appear on the market relatively quickly. It is forecast that 4.9% of vendor North American operator interface application software revenues in 2006 will be from products working with this OS.
- Performance and capabilities of the Windows CE OS have improved while also offering a significant cost advantage over other Windows OSs.

II. Proprietary
Some proprietary OS vendors and users have large investments in these OSs and operator interface application software that are used with these, and they are reluctant to cease offering/using the products. The perception - be it real or fabricated - associated with these proprietary systems, is that these provide better performance, or performance/functions that are not available with other OSs, and have higher reliability.

III. Linux
There is a small but growing revenue share derived from products being used with Linux. Linux is like UNIX operating systems in that it provides a reliable, scalable platform with many of the desired features of UNIX, but in a truly open system. It is not necessary to purchase expensive "client-access" licenses to apply Linux. The capabilities of Linux continue to expand with thousands of developers collaborating via the Internet to develop new Linux features, including improving reliability and scalability, and adding new applications and tools.

To view this press release (including exhibit), please go to:
http://www.vdc-corp.com/industrial/press/05/pr05-11.html

Report Availability
http://www.vdc-corp.com/industrial/reports/04/br04-04.html

About VDC
Venture Development Corporation (VDC) is an independent technology market research and strategy consulting firm that specializes in a number of industrial, embedded, component, retail automation, RFID, AIDC, datacom/telecom, and defense markets. VDC has been operating since 1971, when the firm was founded by graduates of the Harvard Business School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Today, we employ a talented collection of analysts and consultants who offer a rare combination of expertise in the market research process; experience in technology product and program management; and formal training in engineering and marketing. VDC?s clients include thousands of the largest and fastest-growing tech suppliers in the world and the most successful investors participating in the markets we cover.

For further information about the "North American Markets for Industrial Electronic Monitors and Operator Interface Terminals - Fifth Edition" or any other VDC service, contact:

Marc Regberg, Vice President, 508-653-9000 ext. 111, msr@vdc-corp.com

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