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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, please contact:
Jennafer Jacobs
Gartner Vision Events
603-471-4241
jennafer.jacobs@gartner.com
Gartner Says Midsize Businesses Embracing
Wireless LANs to Increase Business Efficiencies
Midsize Business Issues Examined in Gartner's New Monthly E-Newsletter,
"The Midmarket Report"
BEDFORD, N.H., July 30, 2003 – As low prices and wireless connectivity
continue to drive the trend in the midmarket toward mobile PCs, 60 percent of midsize
business (MSBs) in North America will deploy wireless LANs (WLANs) within their premises
by the end of 2003, according to Gartner Inc. (NYSE: IT and ITB). WLANs will become
a critical component for those seeking to improve business efficiencies in a wide
variety of processes, including inventory, shipping and manufacturing.
"Supporting the access requirements of mobile workers is becoming
a serious concern for midsize businesses," said Jim Browning,
vice president and research director for Gartner. "Demand for
wireless Internet access in the home, the office and in public places
is growing rapidly, while PC vendors are packaging wireless capability
in their products. These factors are driving the adoption of next-generation
wireless solutions in midsize businesses."
MSBs that have invested in WLAN technology to explore its flexibility and to reduce operating
costs will experience some soft benefits and will probably break even on their investment in
two or three years. However, there is a bigger opportunity to improve return on investment by
linking WLANs with the appropriate enterprise applications, such as enterprise resource planning,
supply chain management and customer relationship management. Through 2004, more than 60 percent
of all WLAN implementations will include some type of extension to vertical applications.
More information can be found in the inaugural issue of "The Midmarket Report," a monthly
e-newsletter from Gartner targeted at senior IT executives at midsize businesses and
technology vendors serving the midmarket. Editorial focus on the latest market intelligence,
IT industry news and trends, commentary from Gartner analysts, and technology updates from
both a horizontal and vertical industry perspective. To subscribe to this free e-newsletter,
go to www.midsizeenterprise.com/midmarket_subscribe.html.
The Midmarket Report is published in conjunction with Midsize Enterprise Summit, a Gartner
Vision Event that brings IT executives from midsize businesses together with Gartner analysts,
and leading and emerging technology vendors. The focus - enabling strategic IT decision-making
- embraces IT strategies and technologies that impact all midmarket industries, while concurrently
addressing the specific needs of the banking and manufacturing sectors. The next Summit takes
place September 10-12, 2003 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel in Austin, Texas. More information
on the Summit is available at www.midsizeenterprise.com.
About Vision Evnets
Vision Events, a Gartner company, is a leading producer of highly focused business events that bring
resellers and end users together with leading and emerging vendors in private boardroom appointments
to form strategic partnerships and secure new business in the technology sector. Additional information
about Vision Evnets can be found at www.visionevents.com.
About Gartner
Gartner, Inc. is a research and advisory firm that helps more than
10,000 clients leverage technology to achieve business success. Gartner's
businesses consist of Research, Consulting, Measurement, Events and
Executive Programs. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford,
Conn., and has more than 3,800 associates, including approximately
1,000 research analysts and consultants, in more than 75 locations
worldwide. Revenue for calendar year 2002 totaled $888 million. For
more information, visit www.gartner.com.
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