EMEA to lead the way in whiteboard sales

Futuresource analysis shows IWB sales still going strong

Futuresource Consulting has released new figures on the global interactive whiteboard (IWB) market, valuing the still-growing sector at $1.4bn (£0.87bn).

Colin Messenger, senior consultant at Futuresource [pictured, below] said about 3.6 million IWBs have been installed globally, with the technology taking, unsurprisingly, a secure hold within the education market.

"And there is still a huge opportunity available here. World classroom penetration has just tipped nine per cent, which means there are still more than 30 million classrooms across the globe without a board," he said. "The demand is there and the future prospects are first-rate."

Messenger said the figures, which come from its quarterly report, reveal that the IWB market continued to gain momentum last year, expanding by 15 per cent to $1.4bn in revenue terms.

Furthermore, EMEA will be the biggest IWB region from 2012 onwards, with strong expectations of multiple government tenders during the year and sales gaining traction in many countries across the region.

The US has seen ongoing challenges to education budgets and funding reductions that have affected its prospects for IWB sales, he suggested. However, although over its sales peak, the US remained important, with classroom penetration levels at 35 per cent -- half the UK figure.

"We're predicting a strong [US] market for at least the next four years," Messenger said. "Although federal government will no longer stimulate the economy, local school districts can raise money for technology funding.

As with the world tenders we track, there seems to be no direct link between a district's economic prosperity and the investment in school spending."

Education remained universally valued across the globe, which meant that people often still spent money on it when times were tough, he added.

Diversifying displays in the classroom>> www.channelweb.co.uk/1886143