If you're in the market for a rugged industrial computer, now may be a good time to purchase such a system.

According to a recent report by Venture Development Corporation ( www.vdc-corp.com), demand for rugged stationary computers in the industrial automation control and instrumentation market is expected to grow while prices are forecast to decline between now and 2006.

Covering North America and Western Europe, the study projects shipments of computer systems to reach $537 million by 2006 - an estimated $53 million increase over 2003.

Factors driving such growth include new implementations of wired and wireless communication systems and an ongoing trend toward greater automation.

Meanwhile, declines in the prices of microprocessors, displays and other components as well as competition from low-cost Asian suppliers are factors expected to drive down the average price of the systems.

The majority of sales of industrial computers is to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), which is forecast to increase by 2006. Direct sales to end users, accounting for the second largest share, are expected to decline. Microsoft PC-based operating systems dominate ruggedized industrial computer shipments.

Many OEMs, end users, systems integrators and others indicate reliability, speed and durability despite tough environments as the key criteria in selecting a rugged computer.