The IS outsourcing and network and desktop outsourcing services markets continue to exhibit healthy growth in the Canadian market in 2004. Despite the lack of a large mega deal in the first three-quarters of the calendar year, the IT outsourcing market is positioned for growth from a number of smaller deals consummated at the end of 2003 and earlier in 2004. "The lack of a mega deal in 2004 poses some downside risk for the IT outsourcing forecast in 2005 and beyond" says Jason Bremner, IDC Canada's program director for outsourcing services research. "Even lacking this key ingredient, the IT outsourcing services market will remain a top performer in the Canadian IT services landscape and a viable option for Canadian companies faced with the challenge of managing IT systems and processes."