Home Office Users Seek Faster Technologies To Improve Productivity

Consumers expect to buy electronics products and services which improve the efficiency of their home offices in the near future, according to the ""Home Office Users In The Internet Age"" survey released by eBrain Market Research, a service of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). Higher speeds and greater access to information were cited as common features among the technologies that consumers expect will help them accomplish the diverse tasks undertaken in the home office.According to the survey, 31 percent of home office users report that faster Internet access would most likely increase their productivity at home, while another 25 percent said a faster computer would increase their productivity. Twenty seven percent of home office users responded as being at least somewhat interested in high-speed Internet access and 44 percent of home office users expect to have high speed Internet access in their home office within 4 years.CEA Vice President of Market Research and Senior Economist, Todd Thibodeaux, commented, ""It is clear that home office users see the benefits of faster machines and high speed Internet access. Because of this recognition, it is these individuals who will pave the way for the expansion of broadband access into the home.""In addition to high speed Internet connections, the capabilities of home PC networks have the potential to greatly improve the functionality of home offices. Nearly four in 10 home office users own and use two or more personal computers. The combination of advances in turn-key home PC networking kits and increasingly savvy technology users places the home PC networking industry on the verge of an explosion of growth.The migration of office and entertainment technologies into the home office is reflective of the home office's changing role in today's lifestyle and workstyle activities. In addition to traditional home office activities such as managing household finances, factors such as evolving work processes and the appeal of self-employment have made the home office a hub for a wide variety of activities.On average, each home office household anticipates spending $1,870 on consumer electronics products for their home office during 2000 - 2001; with forty-three percent of that total ($870) being spent on purchases through online retailers. Ninety eight percent expect to buy at least some hardware or software over the next two years. Among the most popular potential purchases were desktop computers, software, digital cameras, CD recorders, scanners, and furniture.The ""Home Office Users in the Internet Age"" survey was designed and formulated by eBrain Market Research, a service of CEA. eBrain is smarter research. The most comprehensive source of sales data, forecasts, consumer research, international research, and historical trends for the consumer electronics industry.The study was conducted online with a sample of 1,541 home office households during February 2000. The complete study is available free to CEA member companies. Non-members may purchase the study for $499 by visiting http://www.eBrain.org or sending an e-mail to info@ebrain.org.CEA is a sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA). CEA represents more than 600 U.S. companies involved in the development, manufacturing and distribution of audio, video, mobile electronics, communications, information technology, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services, that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, these companies account for more than $60 billion in annual sales. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Your Source for Workstyle and Lifestyle Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.