This IDC study examines the Western European market for analytic applications. IDC divides the analytic applications market into three segments: BPM/financial, CRM, and SCM/operations. Market revenue forecasts for the analytic applications market overall and for each of the three market segments are included for a five-year period from 2006-2010 in each of 16 Western European countries. A discussion is provided of market drivers and inhibitors based on IDC's most recent knowledge of the Western European analytic applications market. In addition, guidance is offered on appropriate strategies for taking advantage of future market growth.

The data and analysis presented in this study provide valuable input for software vendors competing in the European business intelligence and analytics markets and for organizations embarking on analytics projects. According to Christina Steensboe, program manager with IDC's European Software Group, "The increased pressure on companies to measure and optimize financial and business performance, internal processes, and customer and supplier relations will ensure continued double-digit growth in the Western European analytic applications market."