CIMdata Press Releases
CAM Software Market Shows Growth in 2004
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, April 27, 2005—CIMdata estimates that in 2004 the worldwide CAM software and related services market turned around after having declined or been flat for four straight years. The market, as measured by end-user payments, is estimated to have had a growth of 7.2% from $1.107 billion in 2003 to $1.187 billion in 2004. This follows declines of 1.6% in 2000, 7.5% in 2001, and 0.4% in 2002 and a small growth of 0.5% in 2003. Purchases reached their peak in 1999 at $1.22 billion before the period of decline began.
CIMdata is projecting that 2005 also will be a strong year and that end-user payments for NC software and related services will increase by 7.4% to reach a level of $1.275 billion. If so, this would set a new high for the CAM software market. This information and other statistics are contained in the upcoming annual NC Software and Related Services Market Assessment Report. The Report is over 200 pages and can be obtained from CIMdata. The annual end-user payments for CAM software for 1996 through a projected 2005 are shown in the following chart.
CAM Market Size Over Time by End-User Payments
Mr. Alan Christman, CIMdata Chairman, commented, “The worldwide CAM software market is highly dependent upon the state of the global economy, the viability of the manufacturing sector, the extent of technology spending, and the amount and type of machine tool purchases. In 2004, all four indicators were positive, as the market bounced back after difficult conditions in prior years. For example, in the U.S., machine tool consumption in 2004 was up by over 30%, as compared to 2003. For a mature market like CAM, a growth of 7% or more in end user payments for software is very acceptable.”
CIMdata and essentially all worldwide NC software suppliers are now cautiously optimistic about 2005. Many vendors reported significant growth in revenues in the first quarter of 2005 and CIMdata anticipates that acceptable growth will continue during the balance of the year.