United States Microcomputer Statistics Committee (USMSC)
- History and Benefits to Participants
- IPR's Role in the USMSC
- Data Submission and Data Security
- Program Reports
- Membership
- For More Information
History and Benefits to Participants
The USMSC was officially formed in 1991 to collect vendor-reported PC shipment data and to make the aggregate totals available to members of the committee. Because USMSC statistics are based on actual PC shipment data, this program provides a level of accuracy that is not available from any third-party sources. Since its formation, the USMSC has made a number of reporting program enhancements and has coordinated the exchange of data with other international PC statistics programs.
The USMSC statistics program provides participating members with the most accurate, reliable, and cost-effective US PC market statistics available. The program currently covers desktop (business-marketed, home-marketed, and personal workstations), portable, and server shipments by microprocessor technology.
Consistent and reliable information about market size and growth allows participants to measure their company's performance relative to the market in an objective manner. Each spring and fall, the USMSC also develops a 3-year consensus forecast that provides a detailed view as to market growth and trends by form factor and technology.
IPR's Role in the USMSC
IPR has provided consulting services to the USMSC since the committee’s founding in 1991. Most importantly, we develop estimates of nonparticipant shipments based on multiple publicly available and proprietary end-user surveys, distribution channel surveys, and component shipment data. The USMSC believes that IPR's use of multiple data sources provides the most reliable and consistent estimate possible.
Data Submission and Data Security
Submissions for the monthly program (shipments by form factor) are due on the 10th day following the close of each month.
On issues of data security, the USMSC bylaws are strict and are designed to avoid any possibility of participant data disclosure. Participants' data submissions are made by code number. No company names are associated with the data. Participants may elect to split their data submission across several code numbers. Submissions may be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to the USMSC administrator. Since all submissions are ultimately destroyed, there are no paper or electronic records of individual participant shipment history.
Program Reports
To complement its monthly shipment reports, the USMSC develops a 3-year forecast in the spring and fall of each year. In addition, the committee has expanded its statistics program to include coverage by distribution channels and worldwide PC shipments. The USMSC has also arranged for data exchanges with other international PC statistics programs, such as JEIDA (Japan), EMS (Europe), and LAMSC (Latin America). Results from these programs are made available to USMSC participants.
Membership
USMSC membership is available to all personal computer manufacturers with sales in the US. All USMSC members receive full participant, nonparticipant, and total market statistics reports. Current USMSC members include:
- Apple
- Dell
- Gateway
- Hewlett-Packard
- Intel
- Lenovo
- Toshiba
For More Information
For more information about IPR's role in the USMSC, contact Brent Johnson at +1 801-362-7421 or brent.johnson@iprcorp.com.
For more information about the USMSC program, contact Don Driscoll at +1 615-830-7204 or don.driscoll@iprcorp.com.