Asia/Pacific (Excluding Japan) IT Services Competitive Dynamics Update, January 2005

This IDC study highlights market activity and actions undertaken by IT services vendors leading up to the end of 2004. Questions addressed in this update include: Lenovo's impending purchase of IBM's PC division, Symantec's buyout of Veritas and Tata Consulting Services renewed investment in China are among the activities which were noted in the month of December. We look at these plans and their implications on the market.

With the several significant mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the IT market, we have chosen to look at what the drivers of M&A as well as the factors vendors have to take into consideration when contemplating a merger.

According to Eugene Wee, market analyst, IT Services Research, IDC Asia/Pacific, "We have seen the diminishing returns from hardware manufacturing companies and telecommunication service providers. The obvious place to look for a "quick-fix" would be to turn towards IT and business services — both of which are becoming increasingly intertwined."