*NEWS*MOBILE PRINTER MARKET GROWS 25%

[Anonymous]

mobile printer market grows 25%
the global market for
mobile transaction printers grew more than 25% from 2003 to 2004, approaching
$220 million
and that growth should continue, according to new research from
Venture Development Corp. (VDC).

According to the study, the various mobile printer segments will maintain
double-digit growth through 2005. Projected compounded annual growth rates
are:

• Portable/Wearable: 17.4%
  
• Strap/Luggable: 14.8%
  
• Cart-Mounted: 14.7%
  
• Vehicle-Mounted: 14.3%
  
• Workboard: 10.3%

The market is divided on communications options. Nearly half the mobile
transaction printer shipments are installed with cables as the method of data
communication. Of those printers using a wireless technology, supplier and
end-user preferences varied, but Bluetooth and 802.11-based systems are
supplanting infrared (IrDA).

Between 2004 and 2007, VDC expects the share of cabled units to drop from
45.5% to 38.6%, and IrDA shipments to drop from 13.2% to 10.5%. Bluetooth will
increase from 23.7% to 27.9%, and 802.11 a/b/g systems will grow from 17.6% to
23%.

According to VDC, actual use of IrDA interfaces has remained limited because
of the line-of-sight requirements. The technology will eventually become
obsolete as Bluetooth and 802.1x systems gain ground.

“It is not yet clear which wireless technology will become the preferred
choice for mobile transaction printer solutions,” said VDC analyst David Krebs.
“IrDA is visibly on the decline; however, Bluetooth and 802.11 each have their
advantages and disadvantages depending on the application and environment. I
expect a split market with indoor solutions operating off of 802.11 and ‘road’
solutions using Bluetooth.”

[Author]

June 15, 2005 at 11:02 AM