Gail Leach Carvelli
Market research firms abound in nearly every industry, and the area of voice, video, and data communications is no exception. Throughout the year, a number of companies follow this rapidly changing and technologically complex industry. These firms not only forecast sales trends, but many of them also provide consulting and engineering services, while others offer corporate training and project management.
Here is a description of just a few of the market research firms that cover the voice, video, and data-communications industry:
- DataQuest Inc. (San Jose, CA)--By providing research services, information, custom handling, and analysis of information technology markets, DataQuest is able to offer other services as well, such as conferences, training, and newsletters. As an observer of the information-technology market, the company also studies semiconductors, computer systems, peripherals, telecommunications, and software. For more information, call (408) 468-8000 or visit the company`s Web site at www.dataquest.com.
- ElectroniCast Corp. (San Mateo, CA)--As a trend forecaster in communication networks and in the products and components used in those networks, ElectroniCast conducts studies and provides forecasts in the worldwide fiber-optics/photonics, optoelectronics, and networking-product industries. Reports such as Fiber-optic Splice & Fusion Splicer, lan/Premise Data Network Cable, and lan/Premise Network Optoelectronics, are released at designated times throughout the year. A new report, Fiber-optic Test Equipment, was released in October, and lan/Premise Data Network Wireless Interconnection was released this year. For more information, call (415) 343-1398.
- Fleck Research (Santa Ana, CA)--This consulting company specializes in electronic connectors, backpanels, and cable assemblies. Fleck also publishes two monthly newsletters--Fleck Report Newsletter and Interconnection News Abstracts--and sponsors an annual conference--The Fleck Connection Congress. For more information, call (714) 953-9000 or visit the Web site at www.fleckresearch.com.
- Frost & Sullivan Inc. (Mountain View, CA)--In 1993, this company merged with the Market Intelligence Research Corp. Today, the company provides market engineering research and consulting services on several industries, such as information-technology (computer peripherals, computers, workstations, connectivity, and local area networks), telecommunications, healthcare, and industrial and consumer markets. Other services include research publications, conferences, and corporate training. For more information, call (415) 961-9000 or visit the Web site at www.frost.com.
- Information Gatekeepers Inc. (Boston)--Fiber-optic technology is the focus of this company`s research efforts. In 1996, it published a collection of papers on graded-index and stepped-index plastic optical fiber. Other volumes recently published include Submarine Fiber Optics Technology and Optoelectronics in Japan and the United States. For more information, call (617) 738-8088.
- Kessler Marketing Intelligence Corp. (kmi--Newport, RI)--Founded in 1974, kmi compiles and presents information on fiber-optic markets. Products offered include market studies, an annual worldwide supplier and installer directory, maps, single-client consulting, and the newsletter Fiberoptics Marketing Intelligence. Each year, the company sponsors the Newport Conference on Fiberoptics Markets. For more information, call (401) 849-6771.
- MultiMedia Telecommunications Association (mmta--Wash- ington, DC)--This nonprofit organization is geared to providing market size and trend information, forums to discuss standards, market education, and market-growth programs. mmta divisions include voice/multimedia, computer/telephony integration, internetworking technologies, wireless communications, and collaboration/conferencing/messaging. For more information, call (202) 296-9800 or visit the Web site at www.mmta.org.
- Sage Research Inc. (Natick, MA)--This company provides statistical market research to clients in the networking, computer, and software industries. Sage has completed studies on subjects that range from Asynchronous Transfer Mode, to high-speed local area networks, to network cabling. The company also offers project management and research services. Reports from the Sage Research Market Information Catalog include The Horizontal Network Cabling Market: A Reality Check, The Campus Network Cabling Market: A Reality Check, and The Ethernet Switch Market: A Reality Check. For more information, call (508) 655-5400.
- Venture Development Corp. (vdc--Natick, MA)--A management consulting firm serving the global electronics industry, vdc supplies in-depth market research reports and custom strategy development and business-planning consulting services in several areas: computers, communications, electronic components, and consumer electronics. vdc`s most recently published survey is Growing Preference for Graphics and Open Systems in Factory Automation Transform Operator Interface Market. For more information, call (508) 653-9000.
- World Information Technologies Inc. (wit--Northport, NY)--wit compiles market data and publishes analyses in several markets, such as the U.S. electronic wire and cable industry, and the apparatus used in data and voice building-communications wiring. These competitive-analysis studies, which include data from 1996 to the year 2000, highlight products, distribution, competitors, production, technology trends, and market shares. For more information, call (516) 754-5700 or visit the Web site at www.worldinfotech.com/wit/.