Gartner Says Midsize Businesses Embracing Wireless LANs to Increase Business Efficiencies.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

BEDFORD, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 30, 2003

Midsize Business Issues Examined in Gartner's New Monthly

E-Newsletter, "The Midmarket Report"

As low prices and wireless connectivity continue to drive the trend in the midmarket toward mobile PCs, 60 percent of midsize businesses (MSBs) in North America will deploy wireless LANs (WLANs) within their premises by the end of 2003, according to Gartner Inc. (NYSE: IT and ITB). WLANs will become a critical component for those seeking to improve business efficiencies in a wide variety of processes, including inventory, shipping and manufacturing.

"Supporting the access requirements of mobile workers is becoming a serious concern for midsize businesses" said Jim Browning, vice president and research director for Gartner. "Demand for wireless Internet access in the home, the office and in public places is growing rapidly, while PC vendors are packaging wireless capability in their products. These factors are driving the adoption of next-generation wireless solutions in midsize businesses."

MSBs that have invested in WLAN technology to explore its flexibility and to reduce operating costs will experience some soft benefits and will probably break even on their investment in two or three years. However, there is a bigger opportunity to improve return on investment by linking WLANs with the appropriate enterprise applications, such as enterprise resource planning, supply chain management and customer relationship management. Through 2004, more than 60 percent of all WLAN implementations will include some type of extension to vertical applications.

More information can be found in the inaugural issue of "The Midmarket Report," a monthly e-newsletter from Gartner targeted at senior IT executives at midsize businesses and technology vendors serving the midmarket. Editorial focuses on the latest market intelligence, IT industry news and trends, commentary from Gartner analysts, and technology updates from both a horizontal and vertical industry perspective. To subscribe to this free e-newsletter, go to www.midsizeenterprise.com/midmarket_subscribe.html.

The Midmarket Report is published in conjunction with Midsize Enterprise Summit, a Gartner Vision Event that brings senior IT executives from midsize businesses together with Gartner analysts, and leading and emerging technology vendors. The focus -- enabling strategic IT decision-making -- embraces IT strategies and technologies that impact all midmarket industries, while concurrently addressing the specific needs of the banking and manufacturing sectors. The next Summit takes place on September 10-12, 2003 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel in Austin, Texas. More information on the Summit is available at www.midsizeenterprise.com.

About Vision Events

Vision Events, a Gartner company, is a leading producer of highly focused business events that bring resellers and end users together with leading and emerging vendors in private boardroom appointments to form strategic partnerships and secure new business in the technology sector. Additional information about Vision Events can be found at www.visionevents.com.

About Gartner

Gartner, Inc. is a research and advisory firm that helps more than 10,000 clients leverage technology to achieve business success. Gartner's businesses are Research, Consulting, Measurement, Events and Executive Programs. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., and has more than 3,800 associates, including approximately 1,000 research analysts and consultants, in more than 75 locations worldwide. Revenue for calendar year 2002 totaled $888 million. For more information, visit www.gartner.com.