Wireless will deliver next big boost for productivity, says global survey by Lexmark, Ipsos

LEXINGTON, Ky., April 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tech-savvy home computer users say the Internet has been the single-most important innovation contributing to improving productivity in the past half-century and they predict that wireless networks will have the biggest impact on productivity in the next five years.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020819/LEXMARKLOGO )

That's according to the results of a new international survey commissioned by Lexmark International, Inc. and conducted by global pollster Ipsos. The online survey of Ipsos panelists comprised 9,000 respondents from 18 countries.

Considering a wide range of innovations over the past 50 years, respondents said the following have had the most significant impact in terms of saving them time and increasing their productivity (up to three responses were possible):

-- Internet - 60 percent -- Personal computers/laptops - 50 percent -- Mobile phones - 43 percent -- E-mail - 23 percent -- Cars and motorcycles - 22 percent

In the coming five years, respondents predicted the following will have the most significant impact on productivity and saving time (up to three responses were possible):

-- Wireless networks - 50 percent -- Greater computing speed - 44 percent -- Smart cards - 41 percent -- Internet/broadband - 40 percent -- All forms of portable computing - 39 percent

"Wireless is the technology wave of the future and our new wireless printers will ensure that consumers can catch the wave easily, securely and affordably," said Najib Bahous, Lexmark vice president and president of its Consumer Printer Division.

Lexmark today unveiled new inkjet printers including wireless printing options for as low as $79.99*.

Forty percent of respondents to the Lexmark survey said they already have a wireless network at home (Internet or any other connectivity solution made possible by the use of wireless routers, including Bluetooth and WiFi) and, of those, 80 percent said they were more productive because of their wireless network.

Those who presently have a wireless network cited the following as the main benefits (up to three responses were possible):

-- Flexibility/mobility - 84 percent -- Ability to share information among computers or printers on the network - 46 percent -- Time savings - 30 percent -- Cost savings - 24 percent -- Ability to stream music or video over the network - 21 percent

Respondents who have wireless networks said the activities most frequently performed on their wireless networks were as follows (up to three responses were possible):

-- Connecting to the Internet - 92 percent -- Moving around the home while connected - 61 percent -- Connecting devices together - 60 percent -- Printing - 49 percent -- Working from home - 47 percent

Respondents who already have wireless networks were remarkably positive about their experiences with 42 percent saying they had no problems or frustrations at all with their wireless networks. Twenty percent had problems with dropped connections and 19 percent with slow speeds.

Of the 60 percent of respondents who said they do not presently have a home wireless network, more than half of those (53 percent) said they plan to invest in one. Six out of 10 (58 percent) said a "good offer" would convince them to move forward with installation while four out of 10 (39 percent) said a clear understanding of all of the benefits of a wireless network would convince them to install a wireless network.

Nearly a third (30 percent) of respondents who don't presently have a wireless network at home said they use wireless networks outside the home. Those users identified the following as places in which they have connected wirelessly (up to three responses were possible):

-- In their offices - 54 percent -- At the home of a friend - 36 percent -- In coffee shops, cafes or stores - 30 percent -- Library - 19 percent -- Airports or train stations - 17 percent Methodology

Ipsos conducted the online survey of its panelists Feb. 16-24, 2007. The survey included 500 respondents in each of 18 countries for a total of 9,000 respondents. Respondents were demographically aligned to match the demographics of home computer owners in each of the countries. Each country was given an equal weight in worldwide results. Countries included in the survey included France, U.K., Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Japan, Brazil and South Africa. The survey has a 95 percent confidence level +/- 5 percent.

About Lexmark

Lexmark International, Inc. provides businesses and consumers in more than 150 countries with a broad range of printing and imaging products, solutions and services that help them to be more productive. In 2006, Lexmark reported $5.1 billion in revenue. Learn how Lexmark can help you get more done at http://www.lexmark.com/.

Lexmark and Lexmark with diamond design are trademarks of Lexmark International, Inc., registered in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

*All prices are estimated street prices in U.S. dollars - actual prices may vary.