The worldwide market for hardcopy peripherals is in the midst of profound change as emphasis shifts from simple print devices to more comprehensive document solutions that increase efficiencies and control costs associated with printing in business environments. According to a new forecast from International Data Corporation (IDC), worldwide document solutions software revenues will grow from $US3.4 billion in 2010 to $US5.5 billion in 2015.

"Software designed to incorporate documents into a more streamlined business workflow represents tremendous opportunity over the forecast period," said Ron Glaz, program director, Digital Imaging Solutions and Services.

"This market will experience unprecedented growth as users demand more effective device management, paper to digital document management, and output management."

The mobile device explosion is also positively impacting document solutions. The growing adoption of mobile devices within businesses offers new output opportunities, while creating a need for new content management solutions to secure business-critical information.

Although IDC has found the biggest worldwide market segment remains that for document capture/scanning/conversion/routing, document repository/archiving and management, and forms processing.