ARM-based server shipments worldwide are expected to reach 20,000 units in 2013, accounting for 0.2% of total server shipments and the volume is estimated to grow to 1.06 million by 2017 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 170%.
ARM-based servers started becoming available at the end of 2012 and as more vendors are promoting their related products in 2013, Digitimes Research expects ARM-based server shipments to gradually increase every year.
ARM has unveiled its objectives for the server business, including having ARM-based server shipments account for 5-10% of global volume by 2016 and 10-15% by 2017.
Digitimes Research believes that Windows Server operating system's support for the ARM architecture is the key factor deciding the growth of ARM-based server shipments.
Poorer than expected support could result in ARM-based server shipments only achieving a CAGR (2013-2017) of only 150%. However, stronger than expected support could result in a CAGR of 180%.