CMP Media's CRN Releases White Box/Custom Systems Research Study

CMP Media's CRN, the newsweekly for builders of technology solutions, today announced the results of its White Box/Custom Systems research study. The first of its kind, this research defines the landscape of the White Box/Custom Systems market capturing both census and behavior of those building and selling. The White Box/Custom Systems segment is larger than any single technology vendor in the traditional PC space and this study examines the opportunities to build beyond that traditional PC.

The study, conducted by CRN Research, highlights that the White Box market has been redefined as the Custom Systems market and now includes seven major product categories -- PC's, Servers, Notebooks, Workstations, Storage Devices, Single Use Vertical Market Systems and Embedded Systems and offers substantial growth opportunities in all sectors, especially Notebooks and Storage. In addition to the small and medium marketplace, White Box/Custom Systems have Solution Provider support and customer acceptance in the enterprise, government and consumer markets.

This study is one of many CRN and CMP initiatives around the Custom Systems market that will be showcased at CMP's XChange Tech Builder Conference in San Diego May 5-7. CMP's Channel Group's Senior Analyst and Chief Research Officer Monty Cornell will present the keynote address at the conference on the CRN White Box/Custom Systems research findings, which will be featured in CRN's May 5 issue with a White Box/Custom Systems special report. CRN will also be introducing a white paper outlining the trends in the White Box/Custom Systems marketplace, including channel satisfaction, end user preferences, profitability and seasonality, written by Dr. John Roberts, Ph.D, and CRN Director of Editorial Research. This white paper will be available at a discount online for $2,995.00, beginning at the conference.

To further educate the Solution Provider audience on this exciting market opportunity, John Yacono, CRN Lab Director, will build Ultimate Custom Solutions including Ultimate Server, Ultimate Storage, and Ultimate PC in front of a live audience at this event. Mr. Yacono will present the winning vendors with Ultimate Custom Solutions Awards from CRN.

"The White Box/Custom Systems marketplace has been largely underestimated and undefined until now," said Lisa MacKenzie, publisher, CRN. "Through our research, editorial, labs, online and events, we will help define the eco system of this marketplace. This coverage and research will help the channel and the manufacturers to better capitalize on this important market -- another example of how CRN leads the way with advocacy and insight."

"White Box manufacturers continue to ship an increasing number of systems in the U.S. marketplace, currently holding about a third of the PC market share," said Stephen DiFranco, vice president of corporate marketing, Maxtor Corporation. "They live on the edge of technology -- building custom systems for industrial and commercial accounts while diligently working to make PCs affordable for their SMB, education and government customers. Critical studies like this allow companies like Maxtor to understand the White Box marketplace and support White Box manufacturers' efforts to build their businesses."

About CRN

CRN is the nation's leading trade newsweekly that provides timely industry news and analysis for solution providers, integrators and e-businesses building technology solutions. It is the most trusted source of news for 117,500 channel professionals. A media leader in the high-tech industry, CRN provides the most comprehensive suite of online resources: http://www.crn.com/, the site where industry news breaks first; CRN Direct, a daily newsletter that brings personalized news to solution providers' desktops; and CRN Broadcast News, a daily news broadcast covering the solution provider channel and the industry.

About CMP Media LLC

CMP Media LLC (www.cmp.com) is a leading integrated media company providing essential information and marketing services to the entire technology spectrum-the builders, sellers and users of technology worldwide. Capitalizing on its editorial strength, CMP is uniquely positioned to offer marketers comprehensive, integrated media solutions tailored to meet their individual needs. Its diverse products and services include newspapers, magazines, Internet products, research, direct marketing services, education and training, trade shows and conferences, and custom publishing.

   Contact:
   Nanci Oehrlein
   CRN
   516.562.5858
   noerhlei@cmp.com

SOURCE: CMP Media LLC; CRN

CONTACT: Nanci Oehrlein of CRN, +1-516-562-5858, noerhlei@cmp.com

Web site: http://www.cmp.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/181993.html