Industrial Computers (Global Market)

Computers (Global Market)

• Computers (Global Market)

2023: Global Industrial Computer Market Volume Up 7% Year-on-Year to Reach $5.87 Billion

In 2023, costs in the global industrial computer market reached $5.87 billion. This is 7% more compared to 2022, when the volume of the industry was estimated at $5.49 billion. One of the main drivers is the growing need for automation in various areas, as stated in the Market Research Future review published in mid-October 2024.

The report notes that companies and businesses around the world are committed to improving efficiency, reducing operating costs and improving the quality of products and services. However, the transition to smart manufacturing and the Internet of Things (IoT) has further necessitated robust computing platforms. Against this background, there is a growing need for industrial PCs that are used to automate operations, process and analyze data in real time. This enables companies to make better decisions and quickly adapt to changing market conditions.

The industrial computer sector is also affected by the need for workspaces that prioritize employee safety and productivity. Industrial PCs are designed for use in difficult conditions. At the same time, thanks to convenient interfaces, they reduce the fatigue of operators. As safety regulations become stricter and companies seek to improve their work environments, demand for advanced human machine systems and ergonomic computing solutions is increasing. In addition, such popular applications as big data analytics, cloud computing, etc. are implemented on the basis of industrial PCs.

The authors of the study identify five key segments in the industrial computer market: production automation, transport, healthcare, retail and telecommunications. In 2023, the first of these sectors accounted for the largest costs - approximately $2 billion. In the transport sector, costs are estimated at $1.2 billion, and in the healthcare segment - at $1.3 billion. The retail sector accounted for $0.9 billion, the telecommunications sector - $0.47 billion. In general, the segmentation of the industrial computer industry demonstrates a variety of growth opportunities due to technological advances and the use of automation. Trends point to a significant shift in the adoption of industrial PCs to improve operational efficiency and data analytics. The leading players in the industry are:

• Nexcom International;
• OnLogic;
• American Industrial Systems;
• Winmate;
• Axiomtek;
• Rugged Tech;
• IEI Integration;
• Lanner Electronics;
• Kontron;
• Getac Technology;
• Schneider Electric;
• DFI;
• Siemens;
• Beckhoff Automation;
• Advantech.

North America leads geographically with sales at $2.2 billion in 2023. The Asia-Pacific region, with a cost of about $1.8 billion, shows strong growth potential, fueled by industrial activity and investments in intelligent enterprises. This is followed by Europe with an estimate of $1.5 billion, where the demand for reliable computing solutions in various fields is increasing. In South America, costs amounted to $0.25 billion, in the Middle East and Africa - $0.12 billion.

At the end of 2024, revenue in the global industrial computer market is estimated at $6.28 billion. Analysts believe that in the future, the CAGR (average annual growth rate in complex percentages) will be 6.95%. Thus, by 2032, costs on a global scale can reach $10.75 billion.^[1]

2021: Industrial Computer Market Valued at $4.6 Billion

In 2021, sales of industrial computers worldwide amounted to $6.1 billion, according to the research company MarketsandMarkets. The data were released in December 2021.

Analysts did not give a comparison with 2020, but said that the market is experiencing growth, which will continue in subsequent years. Thus, according to experts, the volume of sales of industrial PCs will increase by an average of 5.8% annually and will reach $6.1 billion by 2026.

MarketsandMarkets specialists have listed several main drivers of market growth:

• growing demand for industrial Internet of Things;
• the ongoing shift to digital manufacturing;
• strict compliance in the industry;
• an increasing awareness among manufacturing enterprises of the need to optimize their resources.

Industrial computer market estimated at $4.6 billion

Analysts included the following companies among the largest manufacturers of industrial PCs (the study does not specify on what basis this list is formed):

• Advantech (Taiwan);
• Beckhoff Automation (Germany);
• Siemens (Germany);
• IEI Integration Corporation (Taiwan);
• Kontron S&T (Germany);
• Nexcom International (Taiwan);
• B&R Automation (Austria);
• Avenue Technology (Taiwan);
• DFI (Taiwan);
• American Portwell Technology ( США ).

According to the study, the most popular products on the industrial PC market are panel devices. They combine a system unit and a monitor. It is used in various industries of automation: housing and communal services, smart home, in medicine, monitoring and management systems for heat and electric power facilities, banking, trade, transport, public catering.

The report notes that commercial PC technologies are constantly improving, and they are doing it quickly enough. At the same time, many technological improvements, for example in the field of removable memory and energo­potrebleniya reduction, are in high demand in industrial automation applications. If developers produce their own non-standard industrial computer, then they face the difficult task of constantly updating equipment in order to introduce new modern technologies. On the other hand, manufacturers of commercially available industrial computers have excellent capabilities to quickly implement the best commercial PC technologies in order to improve their products.

Advantech, Beckhoff Automation, Siemens - the largest manufacturers of industrial computers

The largest growth rate in industrial computer sales is expected in the Asia-Pacific region. The following factors will contribute to this: rapid industrialization, increased investment in infrastructure in the energy sector and favorable government policies that encourage foreign players to enter the Asia-Pacific market.

In addition, companies that manufacture high-tech medical equipment are actively seeking to expand their geography due to the growing demand for medical services, increased interest in health and increased investment in research and development. This is also likely to drive the growth of the APAC industrial PC market in the coming years, the researchers said.

North America remained the largest market for industrial computers in 2021 due to the high demand for this equipment in the aerospace, defense and automotive industries. It is noted that several large players are increasing their investments in the industrial PC market in North America, thereby contributing to the growth of this sector in this region.^[2]

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