Definition of the main activities and business models
Companies in the IT industry often have several different activities, but rarely have more than one business model.
The following definitions are for use in market studies, they do not replace the definitions of business activity used by compuBase for a marketing segmentation, but they help to understand the industry.
These definitions were made to define homogenous groups, to facilitate market studies by determining the questions put to each type of company. For the purposes of market studies a company may only belong to one type of activity, the activity that generates the greatest gross margin.
Manufacturer
Company whose business is focused on manufacturing or the exclusive representation of a manufacturer
Publisher of software dedicated to a specific company process
Software publisher that develops in house software addressing generic corporate needs
Publisher of software dedicated to a specific business
Software publisher that develops in house software addressing a specific industry or activity
Software publisher
Company that develops in house software meant for general use by companies or individuals
Telecom & network systems integrator
Services company that handles all or part of the integration of hardware and software dedicated to telecom usage within a company
IT infrastructure integrator
Service company that handles all or part of the integration of hardware and software dedicated to IT purposes in a company
Software solutions integrator
Service company that designs, evaluates and deploys software solutions developed by other software publishers into their clients' architecture
Consultancy
Company specialized in design and advice about the deployment and processes related to IT or Telecom issues
IT services
Services company to which IT needs can be either subcontracted or outsourced
Web Agency
Company specializing in various forms of communication and promotion via the web. The range of services offered by a web agency includes the creation of websites, services relating to online communication, infographics, online advertising management, web marketing, community management, management of web reputation, and web site referencing and deployment of mobile applications
Telecom services
Company to which Telecom needs can be either subcontracted or outsourced
Distributors
Companies that purchase and resell products to other professional IT companies
Reseller to companies (assemblers, hardware, software, services, etc.)
Company that purchases and resells ICT products to end user companies
Resale to home users
Company that purchases and resells ICT products to the general public
Other activity dedicated to the ICT industry
Other types of companies whose business is not mentioned in the above but is focused on the ICT industry