Channelworld staff

The PC industry performed better than expected as worldwide PC shipments totaled 80.9 million units in the third quarter of 2009, a 0.5 percent increase from the third quarter of 2008, according to preliminary results by Gartner. Gartner had expected PC shipmentsGraphic: Chip Taylor to decline 5.6 percent in the quarter.

"These are good results especially given that PC shipments for the third quarter of 2009 are being compared to a very strong third quarter from 2008," said Mikako Kitagawa, Principal Analyst at Gartner. "Sequentially, third quarter shipments grew 18 percent, which is higher than the historical seasonal growth from the second to third quarter," she added.

The worldwide security software market will total $14.5 billion in 2009, an 8 per cent increase from 2008, according to Gartner. In 2008, it grew at 19 percent and Gartner anticipates the market to grow 13 percent in 2010 as revenue will total $16.3 billion.

"Although the security software market is affected by the economic downturn, the growth will continue to be strong in 2009 as security remains a critical area where drastic cuts cannot be afforded," said Ruggero Contu, Principal Research Analyst, Gartner. "In the medium term, the growth opportunities will come from SaaS, appliance based offering and SMBs, which are in security catch-up mode," he added.

According to a final marketshare analysis by Gartner, worldwide semiconductor revenue totaled US$255 billion in 2008, down 5.4 percent, or a decrease of $14.5 billion from 2007 revenue. The steep decline in the market in the final quarter of 2008, combined with the ongoing economic weakness, signals far worse declines in 2009.

"While sales held up fairly well in the first half of 2008, in the third quarter the industry started to soften as the economy slowed, and by the fourth quarter sales were deteriorating quickly, causing revenue growth to go into negative territory," said Peter Middleton, principal research analyst at Gartner. "With the market heavily impacted by the recession, we can expect considerable market consolidation going forward."

Sterlite Technologies Limited recently showcased its 'Sterlite Fiber Powered Home' at a sample apartment provided by D B Realty, at its under construction site - Orchid Woods in Goregaon (East), Mumbai.

The 'Sterlite Fiber Powered Home', is a unique bouquet of applications meeting the requirements of both enterprise and residential customers. Visitors to the 'Sterlite Fiber Powered Home' could actually experience the true potential of blazing speed broadband, supported on an optical fiber based infrastructure, through exciting and interactive applications that included Video Conferencing, Video Surveillance, Video-on-Demand, Voice Over IP, High Speed Gaming, Online File Sharing, IPTV, and several more. All these IP based applications can run over multi-screens in a customers' home or office.

Axis Communications introduces AXIS M10 Network Cameras, a series of small and smart cameras, ideal for securing locations such as small businesses, boutiques, restaurants, hotels and residence. These affordable, intuitive and reliable cameras from the market leader in network video offer best-in-class image quality and professional monitoring capabilities.

"AXIS M10 Network Cameras with their functional, smart design are attractive additions to our broad range of network cameras," says Erik Frännlid, Director of Product Management, Axis Communications. "The cameras offer a high-quality yet affordable video surveillance solution, fully taking advantage of the benefits of network video."