Flat figures for EMEA server market

The EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) server market was worth in total $4bn for the second quarter (Q2) 2006 according to the first in a new series of quarterly updates published by Forrester Research.
 
The research firm’s EMEA server update covers the state of the market and the relative performances of the top five vendors for Q2 2006. In general, the update found that the EMEA server market remained flat in terms of revenues in Q2 2006 compared with the same period in 2005. Western Europe accounted for 81% of revenues, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) for 10%, and the Middle East and Africa (MEA) for 9%.

The survey found that HP leads the market both in terms of revenues and shipments, with a strong performance from its x86 division helping to boost overall revenues year-on-year to hold a market share of 35%. HP rivals IBM and Sun Microsystems were identified with respective shares of 28% and 14% and Dell, who focused on x86 servers, had a market share of just under 8%. Fujitsu Siemens Computers accounted for 7% of the market. Other vendors operating in this space include Acer, Apple, Intel, Tyan and SuperMicro, but none of these has a significant market share.

“Entry-level x86 systems provided some growth. Lower than expected price erosion helped sustain revenues. Vendors are responding by reducing channel and distribution costs and developing stronger negotiating positions with suppliers,” says Paul Devine, consultant at Forrester Research, commenting on the figures.