Date: 3rd Sept 2010

IMS: Embedded computer board revenues to reach $4.3 billion in 2014

IMS Research has estimated that the global sales of embedded computer boards and modules will grow strongly with revenue from such sales expected to rise from almost $2.5 billion in 2009 to $4.3 billion in 2014. The embedded computer board revenues had declined by approximately 14% in 2009 in comparison to 2008. But IMS forecasts a strong recovery driven by growth in key applications and regions.

IMS says Asia Pacific embedded board revenues, driven by emerging economies including China, continue to rapidly increase. By 2014, the Asia Pacific market is projected to account for about 32% of global revenues, up from 25% in 2008.

Other key findings from the research include:
--CompactPCI and AdvancedTCA estimated to account for over 55% of world revenues in 2009.
--Computer on modules (COMs) are projected to have the highest growth.
--Kontron leads the overall supplier market share estimates.
--Transportation applications to account for almost 1.5 million units in 2014.
--Linux operating systems forecast to account for 33% of 2014 market.
--Boards with x86 architectures will continue to dominate the market.

Mark Watson - Automation Research Manager - says "key focus areas in the market will continue to be size, weight, performance, heat and cost. The trend to smaller form factor boards will continue, opening up new application areas, especially for mobile products. This is especially evident in the transportation sector, where new uses for embedded boards are constantly emerging. Board manufactures must therefore offer flexible products that can be easily configured to meet application specific requirements."

Intel Atom processor based boards are found to be gaining more importance in some of the application segments of embedded computer boards.

The other leading vendors of embedded computer boards include Emerson, Radisys, GE and Taiwan based companies such as Advantech, AAEON.