Although over 5 million new Ethernet nodes were installed in industrial automation networks in 2008, the number was estimated to have fallen by 10.7% to fewer than 4.7 million in 2009, according to a recently published report from IMS Research, which analysed sixteen major product groups to assess their Ethernet networking connectivity and use. Forecasts of industrial production by sector were used to give a realistic projection of Ethernet use in industrial automation to 2014.
“This was a significant fall but far less than that in product shipments”, commented John Morse, author of the report. “This indicates the continuing growth in the use of Ethernet-based communication technologies in industrial applications”. Morse continued, “The average annual growth from 2008 to 2014 is forecast as 7.2%. However, the annual growth from 2010 to 2014 of 11.6% is a better indicator for the rate of recovery from the recession”.
He went on to explain that the report forecast differences between the three main regions; with Asia recovering the fastest from 2010 at an estimated growth rate of over 14% per year, and EMEA and the Americas growing at 11.1% and 10.3% respectively.
