Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to participate?
All active NPES members have the opportunity to participate in the Market Data Program. Participation is strictly voluntary and not a requirement of your membership.

What is reported?
The NPES Market Data Program provides participating members with shipments and new orders data for nearly 200 product categories in the following major markets: Imaging/Prepress, Systems and Software, Pressroom Equipment, Bindery/Finishing and Graphic Arts Supplies.

What percentage of the market reports?
Data generated by the NPES Market Data Program are compiled from association members who represent over 80 percent of the total market for printing and publishing equipment and an estimated 95 percent of the total market for graphic arts supplies.

How much does it cost?
Reporting is quick, often only requiring just minutes each month for most participants. Participating members receive and complete monthly reporting forms for only those categories in which they report. In return, participants receive a complete copy of the monthly reports detailing nearly 200 markets.

How much time does it require?
Reporting is quick, often only requiring just minutes each month for most participants. Participating members receive and complete monthly reporting forms for only those categories in which they report. In return, participants receive a complete copy of the monthly reports detailing nearly 200 markets.

Who administers the program?
Association Research Inc. (ARI), an independent consulting firm, serves as a confidential agent in the compilation and dissemination of information to participating members.

What about confidentiality?
While understanding the growing need for detailed and accurate data, NPES remains firmly committed to maintaining the confidentiality of participants in the NPES Market Data Program. To accomplish this NPES and its legal counsel have incorporated strict disclosure guidelines to safeguard individual company data. All data are compiled aggregately by ARI and disseminated to participating members only. At no time does NPES staff or its members have access to individual company data or market share information. Confidentiality remains our highest priority.

How does NPES ensure the accuracy of reported data?
To ensure participating members continue to receive the most accurate and reliable information NPES has incorporated various validation procedures into the Market Data Program. ARI uses these electronic checks to identify and correct data inaccuracies before releasing final reports to members.

What must participants report?
Participants must report all products marketed by their company including equipment, systems and software, accessories, peripherals and supply products. Additionally, participants must update their reporting profiles annually to maintain the accuracy of reports.

Can new reporting categories be added?
The flexibility of the Market Data Program allows participants to recommend additional categories as new markets emerge, ensuring NPES continues to provide participants with market data on the latest industry trends.

How do you compensate for non-participants?
Annually, NPES conducts the Industry Estimate Survey, which identifies the size of the market the Market Data Program is capturing at line item levels. Participating members use these factors to compute full market coverage.

What’s ahead?
In response to our members growing need for cost-effective, timely data NPES has launched a new Market Data Electronic Reporting System (ERS). This new system is designed to minimize your reporting efforts while maximizing your informational benefits. ERS provides a full line of analysis tools and produce customized reports for all participating companies.

What other types of information does NPES compile?
NPES conducts annual surveys on major policies and practices in the areas of sales and compensation, product liability and trade shows. Surveys include the Service Personnel Compensation and Practices Survey, Engineering/Manufacturing and Marketing/Sales Personnel Compensation and Practices Survey, Show Calendar Survey and the Product Liability Survey. These comprehensive surveys provide benchmarks for participating members to compare with the industry.