There are many challenges being faced by the players in the Transmission and Distribution sector at the moment. Not least of these challenges is keeping up with the latest in innovation and technology. With the advancement of the rollout of smart-grid technology and an increasing trend towards distributed generation, the aging grid infrastructure in many countries is holding back development and deployment of the technological capacity we possess. One of the questions asked in this is, who is at an advantage, the large ‘traditional’ OEMs or the smaller innovators.

The T&D networks are continuously evolving in both size and nature. They must grow in order to cope with ever rising demand. In the past it was simply a matter of adding more lines, transformers and ancillary equipment, today the technology of the systems is often able to substitute increased sophistication for physical growth, or to reduce the additions required by making the system more efficient.

A "good" market research report can cost you thousands of dollars.  And when I say “good,” I mean a report that helped you make one of your difficult business decisions: should we buy company X, should we invest in industry Y, who are the competitors we should fear, who are the customers we should go after?  While some may find it hard to determine to what extent, market research is unequivocally helpful when trying to make an affirmative decision (ie: should we enter this market?), and it can be equally helpful in informing on what to avoid.

Yet, often times, defining success when using market research can be a major gray area. Success doesn't always translate into definite measurables. Plus, success can be an extremely subjective concept. What a small entrepreneurial technology company might call success can be vastly different from success as defined by a Global 2000 corporate powerhouse.

MarketResearch.com is excited to announce the addition of a new publisher, Barnes Reports, to our Academic platform. Over the years, Barnes Reports has earned a reputable name within the academic community, making them a valuable addition to our Academic content offering. Barnes Reports publishes cost-effective and timely studies on a variety of industries and consumer buying trends in both the United States and world markets, including the largest manufacturing, retail, wholesale and services industries.

The construction and mining machinery market represents an extremely cyclical industry. When times are good, the world market experiences heightened sales growth; however, when facing economic downturns, market output can experience severe reductions.

According to recent market research, the global construction and mining machinery market is predicted to grow at an annual rate of 9.3% over the next four years through 2018. Leading global market research provider, Global Research & Data Services, has forecast this 9.3% p.a. growth in market demand will have the highest impact on the following potential markets: China, Greece, Latvia, Portugal and the United States.

Superfoods, aji peppers, pichuberries, goji berries, purple corn, green tea, ancient seeds, Mediterranean foods, Peruvian cuisine, Korean tacos, the list of trendy food flavors and themes go on and on. Add that to the list of consumer trend behaviors around food, like cravings for sweet & savory, wellness foods, “adventure, courage & optimism,” quest for authenticity, internationalism on the agenda, etc. Mining food trends and identifying which are the most opportunistic can be a daunting task for food producers, retailers and foodservice establishments, including restaurant companies.

Understanding what is “hot” is easy; diving into a cross-analysis against market data and significant consumer opinions is more complex. The task of identifying today's most opportunistic food trends can be made easier by cross-analyzing against these factors. Food industry players are wise to make data-driven decisions and not just produce to today’s flavor of the day. Here’s a way to start:

Seek first to understand the food context and conversation

Wearable devices represent technology that humans can wear on-the-go. According to market intelligence, these devices will ultimately replace most of today's traditional gadgets that are used on a daily basis. Just as today’s devices are wholly unrecognizable to someone from twenty years ago, wearable technology and other advances will make today's gadgets seem obsolete only in about ten years.

Wearables are a pioneering approach to integrating smarter and more practical gadgets into daily life. Initially focused on communications, applications, content and commerce, wearables will ultimately be involved in many other aspects of life and transform the lifestyles we once knew.  Routine tasks will be transformed as activities become more efficient, entertaining and controllable.

Every industry views market research differently. It's necessity, functionality and delivery vary by market, adapting to each industry's specific intelligence needs. However, the reality is that market research is far more easily obtained and applied in certain fields than in others. Probably the most difficult industries to successfully accomplish this are those that run on a project-to-project basis. This ultimately boils down to their fast-paced, ever-changing nature. For instance, just take a look at the Business Services and Banking industries. Whether dealing in private equity, insurance, banking or strategy consulting, these markets' focus is dedicated to high-pressure, project-based needs. So, in order to understand how market research can be used within these types of industries, you have to assess and overcome a variety of challenges.

Despite the hype, mobile payments are still rare and likely to remain so over the next ten years, at least in the developed world. It appears that the market leaders, in particular large banks, have little incentive to invest in alternative payments.

Taking into account current knowledge of market drivers, the global value of mobile payments will triple from $311 billion in 2013 to $1.1 trillion in 2017, representing a rise from less than 1% to 3% of the world card payments.

While e-commerce has become mainstream, most online purchases are still card based.

MarketResearch.com partners with over 700 publishers to offer customers the most comprehensive collection of diverse business intelligence. Each publisher has its own story and offers unique and insightful perspective into the industries they cover. This week, MarketResearch.com is spotlighting global multi-industry information provider Global Research & Data Services. Read on to learn more about Global Research & Data Services and their products.