Logistics Upgrade Can Increase Efficiency and Savings for Computer Suppliers

To understand what’s driving the global computer industry, consider one key fact: personal computer (PC) ownership – including desktop and laptop models – is declining as a growing number of consumers turn to their mobile devices as their primary method of Internet access.

Among millennials, for example, 20 percent of respondents to a comScore survey indicated they no longer use desktops and are entirely reliant on their mobile devices. This has resulted in a highly competitive environment, with manufacturers under constant pressure to “lure customers back” with more innovative operating systems and features at competitive price points.

According to International Data Corporation (IDC) market research firm, shipments of PCs dropped 5.7 percent during 2016 to 260 million units.

Among the industry leaders:
But, in a sign of just how competitive the industry is, Hewlett Packard claimed the number one ranking from Lenovo in July 2017, when market research company Gartner, Inc., reported a 20.8 percent market share increase for Hewlett Packard during the second quarter of 2017, while Lenovo shipments fell by 8.4 percent.

Important to note, PC sales have shown significant growth in two key sectors: PC gaming and educational sales. Although a small part of the overall PC industry, high-end gaming consoles are estimated to be growing by as much as 25 percent annually. With regard to education, sales of low-cost Chromebook laptops have soared over the past five years and today account for more than half the devices shipped to schools.