This IDC study continues IDC's provision of annual reports on Unix server market share, including data on revenue and unit shipments. In 2004, IDC tracked Unix servers that are based on three types of microprocessor architecture: reduced instruction set computer (RISC), x86 (including x86-32 and x86-64 implementations), and Explicitly Parallel Instruction Computing, or EPIC (Itanium microprocessors).

The server splits, by chip type, are included. As in last year's document, IDC includes comparable information on servers that run Microsoft Windows, Novell NetWare, and Linux server operating systems, to provide a wider view of market dynamics in the worldwide server marketplace.

"IDC expects Unix servers to continue to play a strong role in IT - deployed at the heart of datacenters as database engines and as anchors for corporate networks serving thousands of end users. Unix servers will also likely continue to be strong platforms for a variety of packaged applications from ISVs for corporate enterprise and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads - and as a foundation for mission-critical custom applications written for Unix. IDC also expects Unix servers to be delivered in a number of form factors, including freestanding cabinets, rack-optimized servers, and bladed servers, improving operational flexibility for IT organizations."- Jean S. Bozman, research vice president of IDC's Enterprise Server group