This IDC study examines the Western European hardcopy peripheral market, split by technology for color page, inkjet, monochrome page, dot matrix, line matrix, high-end color systems, and highlight color. 2011 vendor shares with unit shipments and values are provided for each of the 16 countries, along with a review of vendor activities. In addition, long-range forecasts provide expectations for units, value, and average selling prices (ASVs) for the next five years in each market and category. Key forecast assumptions are identified with the factors accelerating and inhibiting the various technology segments.

"Most of today's hardcopy vendors and have introduced new contract service business models in addition to the transactional business models as customers are demanding more from their providers. Most of these activities have occurred in the enterprises and are now drifting down towards the SMB market, where securing the channel is a key differentiator between those that will have success and those that may suffer," said Phil Sargeant, program director, Imaging and Hardcopy Devices and Document Solutions, IDC European Region Solutions.