Workstation shipments in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region contracted by 3,4% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2015. Global research and advisory company IDC expects the decline to extend to -5,2% for the full year.

“The decline in Euro value is increasing the risk sentiments, putting weight on the channel business, especially when it comes to US based vendors,” says Mohamed Hefny, senior analyst with IDC’s systems and infrastructure department.

“Very large businesses are also under corporate debt pressure, opting for extension of maintenance and support instead of refreshing with new boxes.”
IDC forecast a healthy double digit growth rebound in 2016, by 10,7% year-on-year, induced by the launch of new models, featuring Intel’s Skylake platform and Windows 10.

The stability in the currency exchange rates and oil prices, will be encouraging factors.

In addition, the research company believes that vendors are on the right track, responding to their clients by planning water-cooling solutions to desktop workstations, as well as strengthening their channel plans, with better support and reward systems.