Technology buyers, technology suppliers, and their channels to market all need some common information to make successful investment decisions. IDC's European Systems Essentials service addresses this immediate tactical need through continuous, high-quality information outlining the shape and direction of the systems markets. Our service gives high-level access to IDC's Systems Group research, which is broad in terms of geography, product type, and theme coverage. This is complemented by insights into user requirements for technology and is designed to provide a succinct overview of the subjects covered.

This service covers the following segments:

• PCs and other client devices
• Servers
• Storage
• Workstations
• Printers and multifunction devices
• Peripherals
• Appliances

Throughout the year, this service will address the following topics:

• Market size and forecast
• Pricing
• Technology buyer requirements
• Routes to market
• Supplier strategy
• Product mix and strategic sourcing analysis

This service addresses the following issues that are critical to your success:

1. How do suppliers react to a tough market and prepare for growth?
2. What different execution practices and ideas are there in the storage, PC, peripheral, and server areas?
3. What value-added features should customers expect from the channel?
4. Which are the successful vendors in each category and why?
5. Which products offer the best margins?
6. What are the most important issues in customers' minds?
7. How do countries differ in their adoption of particular technologies?

IDC's European Systems Essentials service examines how systems suppliers are positioning themselves to compete in the hardware market. This service reviews strategies, market positioning, and future direction of several providers in this market, including AMD, Canon, CGS, Cisco, Computacenter, CSF, Dell, EMC, Fujitsu Siemens, Groupe Bull, HP, IBM, Ingram Micro, Intel, Lexmark, NEC, Northamber, Sun, Techdata, and Xerox.

Throughout the year, this service will offer insight into the latest trends impacting the market. Potential studies include:

An assessment of the key annual market shares by hardware area and country.

A summary of all key hardware forecasts, showing the magnitude and growth prospects of each product type.

A description of the alternative methods of shipping products in Europe, and the influence of new channel types.

Examining needs, purchase intentions, and technology adoption across a range of Western European industries.

IDC offers a complete market intelligence solution customized to meet your business requirements. The array of products and services available to you includes:

• The opportunity to have your specific questions answered through personal interaction with industry experts who cover the topics and markets in your service
• Around-the-clock access to our market intelligence on idc.com, IDC's personalized Web experience
• A view of the market's future with 12 months of continuous intelligence about its direction and the reasons behind it, along with actionable advice for taking advantage of existing and emerging opportunities
• Complimentary/special admission price to IDC's annual Directions conference, where you'll hear our latest forecasts and network with IDC analysts and other industry professionals
• Complimentary invitations to monthly executive telebriefings, interactive forums designed to provide you with insights about research and strategies directly from IDC analysts

To find out how our flexible packaging options can meet your specific business needs, please contact your IDC account manager.

As a privately held company, IDC believes that our customers are our primary constituency. A large percentage of every revenue dollar is reinvested back into our products, including more analysts, more geographic coverage, and extensive primary research.

Our steady growth over the past 10 years reflects our commitment to investing in our customers.