Francine Khoo, Senior Market Analyst, Asia/Pacific Peripherals Research, IDC Asia/Pacific

Walter Lee, Vice President, Asia/Pacific Consulting and SMB/Partnering Research

Massive Growth in Laser MFP Shipments in 2006 with More Than 2 Million Units, IDC Says

Singapore and Hong Kong, March 13, 2007 - According to IDC's Asia/Pacific Quarterly MFP Tracker report 4Q06, the Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) MFP market grew 28% over the previous year, totaling 8.1 million units in 2006. It was yet another bumper year for laser MFP vendors as laser MFP shipments recorded a whopping 46% increase over 2005 and soared to slightly more than 2 million units in 2006.

The major highlight in 2006 was strong printer-based laser MFP growth, with shipments increasing 64% over the previous year to garner 1.1 million units. Despite the ongoing cannibalization from printer-based laser MFPs in the 1-20ppm segment, copier-based laser MFP vendors continued to experience strong sales through pushing for earlier upgrades and replacements to higher speed models. This form factor grew 25% in unit shipments in 2006 to reach 580,000 units, exceeding fax-based laser MFP sales by 79% during the same period.

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IDC Predicts Renewed Attention To SMB and Channels That Will Drive Innovation and Growth in Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) for 2007

Singapore and Hong Kong, March 14, 2007 - According to IDC's latest report "Asia/Pacific (Excluding Japan) Small and Medium-Sized Businesses and Channels 2007 Top 10 Predictions" (Doc# AP676111P), the highly diverse and complex small and medium-sized business (SMB) market in this region makes the task of coordinating highly localized product, positioning, and channel strategies even more daunting for technology providers. IDC therefore believes that ICT vendors will devote more effort and resources in 2007 to look for strong channel partners and independent software vendor (ISV) solution providers to help them reach out to SMBs across the region.

"The smallest firms have the greatest technology needs, the lowest spending levels, and the lowest brand loyalty, giving rise to an SMB market that is colorful, multi-faceted and dynamic. This kaleidoscope with multiple dimensions, industry verticals, geographies, sub-segments, will drive innovation and feed on the growth momentum of China, India and emerging Asia countries (EACs). ICT vendors are exploiting this growth through strategic alliances and channels. An effective channels strategy is therefore key to successfully penetrate the vast SMB sector," says Walter Lee, Vice President of Asia/Pacific Consulting and SMB/Partnering Research at IDC Asia/Pacific.

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