Regular PC Users in Major European Markets Entering the New Millennium With Uncomfortable Working Environments

Over three quarters of regular PC users in France, Germany and Britain feel more should be done to improve the environment in which they use desktop PCs, according to an independent survey published by MORI. More alarming for employers, only a third of desktops are considered comfortable for long periods, despite the fact that the heaviest PC users are spending more of their time using PCs to surf the Internet and access digital information.

Sponsored by human interface devices manufacturer Logitech (NASDAQ:LOGIY; SWITZERLAND:LOGZ), the study involved the detailed questioning of over 780 regular desktop PC users (using their PC at least once a week) nationally representative of Britain, France and Germany. It showed that nine in ten of these users find it easier and more efficient to use a computer that is equipped with a well designed mouse and keyboard.

"Two-thirds of regular PC users do not consider their desktops comfortable for long periods of use. Taken with the fact that Europeans are working longer hours and using computers for longer periods of time you have a situation that European employers should be very concerned about" said Marcel Stolk, Logitech's vice president, retail sales & marketing and general Manager, Europe.

Stolk continued: "As we use our PCs more and more, it's essential that employers understand how much comfort and enjoyment can be increased through the things that they use to interface with their PC, such as keyboards, mice and so on. Well-designed peripherals can have an enormous impact on how well computers are used by the modern European workforce."

"Far from being 'peripheral', mice and keyboards are the tools we use to communicate with our computers. This survey shows there's an awful lot of regular PC users out there putting up with a second-rate equipment. For many of these users, sitting in front of their PC must be like driving a new Porsche fitted with the footpedals and steering wheel from an old tractor."

The survey also contained some reassuring news for its sponsors - and employers who've equipped their staff with Logitech products. Logitech users confess to being considerably more likely to realise an increase in their overall efficiency using cordless peripherals than non-Logitech users (just over one-in-two as opposed to just over one-in-three non-users ). The same also holds true for peripherals such as keyboards which require less repetitive movement - nearly six in ten of those who've used Logitech products realise an increase in their efficiency as opposed to only around one in three for non-users . The implication is that once you've tried a well-designed peripheral, you suddenly know what you're missing - and how much better you can work.

Key findings of the survey

• Across Britain, France and Germany, a well positioned screen, adequate space, good lighting and comfort for long periods of use are considered the main requirements for a computer desktop area
• Regular British and German PC users are more likely to consider their desktop environment to be important than their French counterparts
• Only a third of desktops are considered comfortable for long periods despite the majority considering this important
• Britain has a much higher proportion of regular PC users than France or Germany
• Nearly six in ten regular PC users in Britain use the Internet compared with only a minority in France
• Regular British PC users are much more likely than their French and German counterparts to feel a desktop area should be comfortable for long periods (seven in 10) and clutter free (half)
• Across the three countries surveyed, the majority expressing an opinion feel that their computer peripherals (keyboard, mouse etc) are efficient for common tasks, comfortable, intuitive and minimise hassle
• Three times as many respondents across the European countries surveyed feel that their peripherals lack style than think they do not
• Equally as many (around a fifth) agree as disagree that their peripherals are bland or boring. German users are most likely to hold this opinion
• Equipment which simplifies frequent tasks and more comfortable furniture are seen as most likely to increase efficient PC use (half of regular users) followed by cordless peripherals and peripherals requiring less repetitive movement (four in 10)
• Logitech users are the most likely to see the potential benefits of using better equipment and having an improved desktop area. The vast majority of regular PC users (nine in 10) find it easier and more efficient to use a computer that is equipped with a well designed peripheral
• Just over three-quarters feel more should be done to improve the environment in which people use desktop PCs
• Seven in 10 feel a lot more could be done to improve the man-machine interface

About Logitech Founded in 1981, Logitech designs, manufactures and markets human interface devices and supporting software that link people to the Internet and enable them to work, play, learn and communicate more effectively in the digital world. Logitech's interface products include Internet video cameras; input and pointing devices such as corded and cordless mice, optical trackballs and keyboards; multimedia speakers; and entertainment products such as joysticks, gamepads and racing systems.

With operational headquarters through its U.S. subsidiary in Fremont, California, and regional headquarters through local subsidiaries in Romanel, Switzerland, and Hsinchu, Taiwan, R.O.C., Logitech International is a Swiss public company trade-unionsd in Switzerland under the symbols LOGN and LOGZ, and in the U.S. on the NASDAQ National Market System (LOGIY). The company has manufacturing facilities in Asia and offices in major cities in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Technical details

MORI, Demoscopie and INRA interviewed 786 regular desktop PC users across three countries: 330 in Britain (MORI), 214 in France (Demoscopie) and 242 in Germany (INRA). Questions were placed on general public omnibus studies in each country, ensuring a representative sample in each. Interviews were carried out face-to-face in the home, between 25th June and 10th July 1999. Data are weighted within each country to reflect the national population's profile and to give equal weight to each country.