Thin and Terminal Client Outlook Lowered Further Due to Project Delays and Emerging Market Issues, According to IDC

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The global thin and terminal client market deteriorated during the third quarter of 2015 (3Q15), declining -6.7% year over year, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Enterprise Client Device Tracker. Shipments continued to be hampered by strong deployments in 2014, but also ongoing economic and currency pressures in key parts of the market.

Combined with some persistent factors that negatively affected the market, including budget constraints that delayed major shipments in Asia/Pacific, the emerging markets continued to lag behind mature markets in terms of shipments and projected growth rates going forward. Furthermore, although the market is increasingly accepting of virtualized client computing, devices such as repurposed PCs and even Chromebooks in some cases, pose viable threats to mainstream thin client purchases.

In light of these challenges, IDC expects 2015 shipments to be more subdued than previously forecast, reaching just 5.1 million units for the year, a drop of more than -6% compared to 2014. IDC expects shipments to return to steady growth from 2016 through 2019, reaching 6.4 million units in 2019.

"Shipments in 2015 are expected to decline more than -6% year over year," said Jay Chou, Research Manager, IDC Worldwide PC & Enterprise Client Device Tracker. "Beyond 2016, we remain optimistic that growth rates will pick up as another cycle of business refresh should fuel renewed growth."

Worldwide Enterprise Client Device Unit Shipments, Market Share, and Year-Over-Year Growth, Third Quarter 2015 (shipments in thousands)
Vendors	3Q15 Unit Shipments	3Q15 Market Share	2Q15 Unit Shipments	2Q15 Market Share	3Q15/3Q14 Growth
1. HP	339	26.9%	319	25.0%	-8.2%
2. Dell	327	26.0%	301	23.6%	-10.6%
3. NComputing	110	8.8%	213	16.6%	-4.8%
4. Centerm	98	7.8%	111	8.7%	9.8%
5. Igel	61	4.8%	55	4.3%	-14.8%
Others	323	25.7%	278	21.8%	-4.0%
Total Market	1,259	100%	1,277	100%	-6.7%
Source: IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Enterprise Client Device Tracker, Q3 2015.

In addition to the table above, an interactive graphic illustrating worldwide enterprise client device shipments to emerging and mature markets as well as year-over-year growth for the overall market for the 2013-2016 forecast period is available here. Instructions on how to embed this graphic into online news articles and social media can be found by viewing this press release on IDC.com.

About IDC Trackers
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About IDC
International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter at @IDC.