This IDC study examines the Western European market for business analytics services. IDC divides the business analytics services market into two market segments: data warehouse platform services and performance management tools and applications services. The study provides a 2006 top-down market sizing and a five-year forecast from 2007–2011 for the business analytics services market overall and for each of the two market segments. The forecast for the business analytics services market overall is further shown for the major countries and regions in Western Europe. The study discusses market trends and assumptions based on IDC's most recent knowledge of the business analytics services market. In addition, guidance is offered on appropriate strategies for taking advantage of future market growth.

The data and analysis presented in this study provide valuable input for services providers and software vendors competing in the European business analytics markets. According to Christina Steensboe, program manager with IDC's European Software and Services Group, "The business analytics services market presents strong growth opportunities as companies continue to invest in business analytics in order to meet the increased demand for measuring and optimizing financial and business performance, internal processes, and customer and supplier relations".