Crn21 1200 300.jpeg

Panels beating bounds of success in interactive sales

Volumes of flat panels, displays and whiteboards with interactivity continue to expand

Interactive panel sales – including whiteboards – were up 22 per cent year on year globally in November and EMEA saw its strongest sales quarter ever, according to Futuresource Consulting.

Futuresource's UK market forecast is for 10 per cent growth in 2012.

"This is significant as it will be the first growth year for the UK in seven years. Interactive flat panel displays are starting to take market share from interactive whiteboards, and some of the first replacement boards are being purchased, with schools tending to buy the same brands again," the market watcher said in a statement.

"Although the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme was abandoned there is still significant new school construction due to the rise of academies, as well as substantial rebuilding programmes within existing schools."

All EMEA enjoyed strong growth, according to the market analysis company.

"EMEA also experienced its largest quarter ever in terms of sales, achieving 44 per cent year-on-year growth, with Vestel completing the shipment for phase one of the Fatih tender. Russia also had huge sales in the quarter," it said.

Unsurprisingly, Asia also did well, with 76 per cent year-on-year growth overall for Q3 – including a 300 per cent increase for sales of interactive boards and panels in India.

However, volumes fell as expected in the US, with the American education market expected to continue to decline over the next few years, Futuresource said.

Longer term forecast is for growth The total market for interactive whiteboards, interactive flat panels and interactive projectors within education and corporate sectors is forecast to reach 1.5m by 2015, varying by country and region.

"The scale of the opportunity in the corporate space is colossal, with over 67 million meeting rooms worldwide. This segment of the corporate market alone is twice the scale of school classrooms. However, there is currently no adoption of any specific product, so the market is open to be taken," said Futuresource.

"The corporate market is forecast to be the fastest-growing sector, increasing to 24 per cent by 2016. This growth will be in the more developed markets like the USA, UK, Germany and Sweden."