IMS Research–Modular Form Factors Build Good Growth

　　Wellingborough, 20th October 2010 – A new report from IMS Research, analysing the world market for embedded computer boards and modules, expects modular form factors, such as COM Express, to grow strongly over the next few years.

　　World COM Express revenue growth is forecast at over 20% year-on-year, with annual revenues reaching over $270 million in 2014; unit shipments of over 790,000 are projected.

　　The COM Express standard offers the advantage that application development, and therefore time to market, is quicker than with most other standards, board customisation is easy and inexpensive (even for low volumes), and product lifecycle costs are lower. The modular format of the COM Express standard and its compatibility with emerging ultra-small form factors, such as nanoETXexpress, will continue to drive adoption.

　　Form factors, which have a modular approach, give OEMs and end users the advantage of interchangeability. This flexibility allows companies to cherry-pick the boards and modules that best match the application. Also, if a certain part of the system needs updating or replacing, then only that part is affected; which gives a cost and time advantage over non-modular solutions, as the rest of the system remains unchanged.

　　Report author, Mark Watson, comments “it is important that board manufacturers are able to offer one base design that can be easily scaled to meet different price and performance levels. Ease of design is also a benefit – often only one part or module will need to be reconfigured – meaning that the rest of the system remains intact, saving time and money.”

　　Watson continues, “embedded computer board and module manufacturers need to be flexible and offer flexible products so that multiple applications and industries can be accommodated.”

　　The modular approach to embedded computer boards and modules will become increasingly important in the near future as advantages of cost, time to market and system flexibility pull end users away from adopting other board types.

　　About IMS Research

　　IMS Research () is a supplier of market research and consultancy services on a wide range of global electronics markets. The company headquarters is in Wellingborough, UK with offices in Austin, Texas and Shanghai, China. IMS Research regularly publishes detailed research on the Industrial Automation markets, among others.