The European market for computer services should grow 9% in 1995, compared with 6% last year, while undergoing a change in its physionomy, says Paris-based Pierre Audoin Conseil SA in its annual survey. The market researcher reported last week that the market is experiencing three distinct phenomena: consolidation, emergence of new technologies and the internationalisation of its major players. In France, for example, the trend toward consolidation can be seen in the decline of medium-sized companies that add little value, which is being further accelerated by the expansion of foreign firms, notably El Segundo, California-based Computer Sciences Corp, the company said. This year could also see the subsidiaries of large industry groups, such as France Telecom Logiciels et Services Informatiques, and Credit Lyonnais’ Sligos SA, change hands. Audoin analyst Jean-Francois Perret noted the emergence in Europe of new companies specialising in advanced technologies, such as object-oriented programming and multimedia. There is a whole fringe of companies, including France’s Business Objects SA and Holland’s Baan Holding NV, which could become the stars of tomorrow, he said. Perret then noted the internationalisation of two of Europe’s largest services players, Cap Gemini Sogeti SA and Sema Group Plc, which extended their reach northward in Europe over the past two years.
