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“Servers – Holding the Workflow Together" presents the TrendWatch perspective on trends in server evolution and use in the U.S. visual effects and dynamic media markets. This detailed 150-page report covers U.S. studios’ use of servers by market and platform. Based on original TrendWatch research conducted with a wide range of U.S. studios and facilities, the “Server Report” outlines the evolution of servers in the visual effects/dynamic media and pro-video markets and how studios are using servers. The report also discusses server use trends by market/segment and what these trends mean for hardware suppliers, software suppliers, studios/facilities and educators.

(PRWEB) April 20, 2005 -- TrendWatch Inc., a leading market information company for the pro-video, visual effects, content creation and graphics markets, today announced the availability of “Servers – Holding the Workflow Together – The TrendWatch Perspective on Trends in Server Evolution and Use in the Visual Effects and Dynamic Media Markets” (“Server Report”), a detailed 150-page report on U.S. studios’ use of servers by market and platform. Based on original TrendWatch research conducted with a wide range of U.S. studios and facilities, the “Server Report” outlines the evolution of servers in the visual effects/dynamic media and pro-video markets and how studios are using servers. The report also discusses server use trends by market/segment and what these trends mean for hardware suppliers, software suppliers, studios/facilities and educators.

“Our exclusive research reveals that servers continue to be a top investment category and one of the fastest growing areas in the hardware business,” said Jim Whittington, TrendWatch founding partner. “Knowing server replacement cycles, which type of studios are planning to buy more servers and platform preferences is essential for industry decision makers. Mac OS X Server and Windows XP Server have been very strong throughout the industry. We saw the number of U.S. studios investing in servers peak about this time last year. This tells us many studios upgraded their storage and networking capabilities and this year’s purchases will be focused on servers for Web hosting, email and Internet access.”

In the “Servers Report,” TrendWatch experts discuss the evolution of server use in visual effects and how advancements in networking capability and software have enabled studios of all sizes to exploit collaborative workflow to help maintain their competitive edge in the market. Also discussed are trends in server use by type and size of studio/facility and platform.

The “Server Report” identifies eight forces that industry decision-makers must contend with as they evaluate server use and purchase plans by studios today. Some key findings include:

•    25% of U.S. studios plan to buy servers for Web hosting tasks
•    One in eight U.S. studios report that ‘increasing networking storage’ is a major challenge they must address this year
•    38% of animation and visual effects studios plan to buy servers for project archiving; this is a 17% increase from a year ago
•    The top three uses for servers are production (active projects), Web hosting and email
•    19% of broadcast studios plan to buy servers; this is a 5% increase from six months ago
•    Apple’s Mac OS X, with its infinitely improved stability, is now seen by studios as more ideal for servers, which helps explain some of the Mac-ward migration we’re seeing for both production desktops and servers
•    20% of U.S. studios report that ‘managing/archiving project material’ is a major challenge in their business

This report is published in Acrobat PDF format and includes links to Excel data sheets containing detailed workstation data by type and size of studio/facility. Also included are data that compare current workstation use to previous years.

TrendWatch reports are based on comprehensive surveys and research with today’s animation and visual effects studios, postproduction facilities, audio recording/mixing studios, video editing/recording studios, independent filmmakers, corporate film and video companies, production companies, broadcast/cable studios and Web/interactive media companies. TrendWatch research methodology has been carefully developed to ensure that the studios and facilities responding to TrendWatch surveys are representative of the overall market demographics. TrendWatch market information is from primary quantitative market research designed to show trends and changes in the industry segments and markets.

Pricing and Availability
The “Workstation Report” is sold separately and priced at USD $575. For more information and details on the reports’ contents, key findings and excerpts from this research, please visit www.trendwatch.com/special.html. To order, please visit the TrendWatch eStore or contact TrendWatch at (415) 380-8561 or via email at e-mail protected from spam bots.

About TrendWatch
TrendWatch is among the most trusted and respected market information brands in the professional graphics industries. Since 1996, TrendWatch has provided an independent resource for tracking on-going business metrics. TrendWatch reports are based on original market research with studio/facility business owners/ executives and used by leading suppliers and analysts. For more information, please visit the company’s Web site at www.trendwatch.com.

TrendWatch is a registered trademark of TrendWatch, Inc.
All other brand names, product names, service marks or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

For more information, press only:
Heidi Lowell, Liaison Inc., (503) 796-9822, e-mail protected from spam bots
Scotti McGowan, Liaison Inc., (503) 796-9822, e-mail protected from spam bots

Reader contact:   
Jim Whittington, Partner
TrendWatch, Inc.
(415) 380-8561
e-mail protected from spam bots

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Source :  http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/4/prweb230453.htm