Windows Applications Out-Sell DOS Applications for First Time in North
America

June 21, 1993 (Washington, DC) - The Software Publishers Association (SPA)
announced today that sales of personal computer application software in
the US and Canada reached $1.46 billion in the first quarter of 1993, an
increase of 20% from the first quarter 1992. Unit sales grew by 26% in the
same period.

"In this quarter, for the first time in the North American market, sales of
Windows-based applications surpassed sales of DOS-based applications,"
said Ken Wasch, SPA's Executive Director. "In all four of the largest
business-oriented application categories (word processors, spreadsheets,
databases and presentation graphics), Windows applications out-sold DOS
applications." For the quarter, Windows application sales were $669
million, up 114% from the prior period. DOS application sales fell 20% to
$502 million.

The sales growth was fueled by the 112% increase in-the sales of databases,
to a total of $164 million. "The sales jump in the database category can
be attributed to the shipment of two major new relational database
products," commented David Tremblay, SPA's Research Director. "In this
quarter, there were the initial shipment of a major new Windows relational
database application, and continued sales of another major new Windows
database. Both products were offered with aggressive 'introductory'
pricing. While press reports said these offers spurred sales in the
quarter, it remains to be seen whether these sales levels can be sustained
beyond the introductory period."

Word processors and spreadsheets remained the largest application
categories, with sales of $203 million and $179 million, respectively. In
the first quarter, the growth of these categories was limited, with word
processors growing at 18% and spreadsheets at 7% over the prior year
quarter. In both categories, strength in Windows products was offset by
sales declines of DOS and Macintosh products.

Sales of consumer software continued the trend observed in 1992 - several
consumer-oriented categories reported strong growth in the quarter. Sales
of home education products were up by 86% from the first quarter, 1992,
while sales of finance packages were up by 30%.

The Software Publishers Association is the principal trade association of
the PC software industry. Its 1,000 members represent the leading
publishers in the business, consumer, and education markets. The SPA has
offices in Washington, DC, and Paris, France.

Software publishers Association
1730 M St, Northwest, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20036
202-452-1600,  Fax: 202-223-8756

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