Black Box Corporation

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This analysis of Black Box Corporation is part of our coverage of the world’s 10,000 largest companies.

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Company Description

Black Box Corporation is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and was founded in 1976. The company specialises in providing IT solutions and services to businesses, ranging from hardware and software to custom-designed services. Black Box Corporation's main products and services include network infrastructure, communication systems, audio/visual systems, security systems and data centre solutions for clients in the enterprise, government and education markets.

Industry Overview

Black Box Corporation operates in the technology industry, which encompasses hardware and software products, services, and solutions. The global technology industry was valued at $5.2 trillion in 2019, with an estimated 24.9 million employees worldwide. The majority of these employees are based in the United States, China, India, Japan, and Germany. The US alone has 9.3 million technology employees.

Industry Classification

In terms of formal classification, Platform Executive has tagged Black Box Corporation as a business operating within the Technology industry.

Major Products & Services

The main products and/or services commercialised by this business include:

  • Network Infrastructure Solutions
  • Network Security Solutions
  • Server and Storage Solutions
  • Networked AV Solutions
  • Network Management Solutions
  • Network Cabling Solutions
  • Video Conferencing Solutions
  • VoIP Solutions
  • Network Testing Solutions
  • Network optimisation Solutions

Table of Contents

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Competitive Landscape

Black Box Corporation operates in a highly competitive environment, with numerous players vying for dominance in the market. The competition is fierce and constantly evolving, as companies strive to stay ahead of technological advancements and changing consumer demands. The landscape is crowded with established industry giants as well as innovative start-ups, all seeking to capture a larger share of the market. This creates intense pressure for Black Box Corporation to differentiate itself and maintain a competitive edge through its products, services, and customer relationships. In this cut-throat environment, only the most agile and innovative companies can survive and thrive.

Key Competitors

We have identified the following organisations as being key competitors:

  • Nlyte Software
  • SolarWinds
  • APC by Schneider Electric
  • Cisco Systems
  • IBM
  • Eaton
  • Raritan
  • HPE
  • Vertiv
  • ABB

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Key Stakeholders

Stakeholders are individuals or groups affected by a business's actions. Understanding their needs helps a business make decisions that benefit all parties.

Internal and external stakeholders include the following:

1. Customers: These are the customers that purchase their products and services.

2. Employees: These are the individuals who work for the company, providing their skills and expertise to achieve the company's goals.

3. Suppliers: These are the companies or individuals who provide Black Box Corporation with the necessary raw materials and components they need to produce and deliver their products and services.

4. Investors: These are the people who have purchased Black Box Corporation's stocks, providing them with the necessary capital to continue their operations.

5. Government: These are the governmental organisations that regulate the company's operations and provide them with the necessary permits and licenses to operate.

6. Partners: These are the companies and organisations that Black Box Corporation has partnered with to provide their products and services to customers.

Customers and Cohorts

The main customers of the organisation include:

  • Businesses
  • Educational Institutions
  • Government Agencies
  • Healthcare Organisations
  • Telecommunications Companies
  • Retailers
  • Financial Institutions
  • Military Organisations
  • Non-Profit Organisations
  • Small-to-Medium Businesses

Competitive Advantages

Competitive advantages are unique attributes, strategies, resources, or capabilities that allow an organisation to outperform its competitors and achieve superior market position and profitability.

Competitive advantages for the business include the following:

Comprehensive technology portfolio: Black Box offers a comprehensive portfolio of over 25,000 products and services, ranging from physical infrastructure solutions to software and professional services. This gives customers access to the most up-to-date technologies, as well as a wide range of solutions to fit their specific needs.

Global reach: Black Box has a global presence, with offices in more than 50 countries. This allows it to provide services and solutions to customers in any part of the world.

Skilled personnel: To ensure the highest quality of service, Black Box invests heavily in training and education for its employees. This allows them to stay on top of the latest trends and technologies and to provide the best possible customer experience.

Proactive customer service: Black Box provides 24/7 customer service and support, as well as proactive monitoring for its customers. This ensures that customers can always get the help they need when they need it most.

Flexible solutions: Black Box provides flexible solutions that can be tailored to the specific needs of individual customers. This helps to ensure that customers get the best value for their money and the solutions they need.

Market Trends

Market trends can significantly impact an organisation by influencing consumer behavior, altering supply and demand dynamics, and ultimately affecting the organisation’s ability to remain competitive in the market. Staying ahead of these trends enables businesses to proactively adapt their strategies, mitigate risks, and capitalise on emerging opportunities.

As part of this study, we have identified a number of potential trends that could impact the organisation. These include the following:

Market Trends

Key Performance Indicators

Key Performance Indicators
KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are important to a business such as Black Box Corporation as they help measure progress towards achieving organisational goals and objectives. They provide a useful insight into the performance of different areas of the Black Box Corporation business and therefore enable informed decision-making.

KPIs also help to motivate employees towards achieving targets.

Below is a list of Key Performance Indicators we deem relevant to this company:

Brand Strength

Brand strength is more than a logo or name. It reflects a company’s reputation and how it is perceived by customers, investors, and employees. It is built on core values, mission, and a unique selling proposition (USP) that differentiates the business.

Brand strength goes beyond superficial elements and taps into core values, the defined mission, and unique selling proposition (USP) of a company.

Below are key reasons why brand strength matters:

Trust and Credibility: In a market flooded with choices, customers gravitate toward brands they trust. A strong brand signals reliability and quality, fostering customer loyalty. Loyal customers not only make repeat purchases but also advocate for the brand, driving word-of-mouth growth.

Brand Strength Analysis

Differentiation: A strong brand helps a company stand out in competitive markets by clearly communicating its value proposition. It creates a unique identity, establishes a competitive edge, and positions the company as a leader in its industry. For example, Google is synonymous with internet search.

Customer Loyalty: A positive brand experience builds emotional connections, making customers less price-sensitive and willing to pay a premium. Loyal customers generate repeat business and act as brand ambassadors, reducing customer acquisition costs and boosting long-term profitability.

Talent Acquisition and Retention: A strong brand not only attracts top talent but also enhances employee morale and engagement. Employees who identify with a reputable brand are more motivated, productive, and committed, driving better business outcomes.

Benchmarking Brand Strength

Below is a guide as to the scoring mechanism used to gauge the brand strength of this company:

A

The company enjoys an excellent level of brand strength.

  • This score signifies that the company has developed a highly regarded and well-recognised brand.
  • Customers and the wider community perceive the company as trustworthy, reliable, and superior to competitors.
  • The company enjoys a strong connection with customers, who actively engage with and advocate for the brand.
  • The company's brand effectively communicates its unique value proposition.
  • The corporate attracts and retains top talent, and its reputation extends beyond its target market.
B

The company has a good brand strength, indicating that it has a solid and respectable brand presence.

  • Customers generally have positive perceptions of the company.
  • While the company may not be as distinctive or well-known as the top brands, it still differentiates itself from competitors and enjoys a loyal customer base.
  • The brand inspires some level of customer engagement and advocacy.
  • The company attracts top quality employees and maintains a good reputation. People want to work there.
C

The business has an average brand strength, meaning it is neither strong nor weak in the marketplace.

  • Customers perceive the company as ordinary or run-of-the-mill, lacking an emotional connection or distinctiveness.
  • The company faces challenges in standing out among competitors and needs to better communicate its proposition.
  • Decent level of customer satisfaction, but significant there is room for improvement in terms of brand loyalty.
  • The company's reputation is neither a huge positive, or negative.
D

The company's brand is quite weak. Work required to increase its potential.

  • Customers have mixed or negative perception of the company, associating it with average or below-average quality.
  • The business struggles to differentiate itself from its competitors and lacks a compelling value proposition.
  • Customer engagement and brand loyalty may be minimal, requiring some effort to improve the brand experience.
  • The company's reputation may have encountered challenges, poor press, or may not be well-known in the market.
E

The company's brand is weak and fails to resonate with customers and audiences. This needs to be addressed.

  • Customers perceive the company as being too unreliable, lacking in quality, or irrelevant.
  • The company struggles to differentiate itself from competitors, and there is a lack of customer engagement, or loyalty.
  • The company's reputation may be tarnished or negatively perceived, hindering growth efforts.
  • Significant efforts are required to rebuild the corporate brand and establish a more positive image in the market.
F

The company has a severe lack of brand strength. It is a problem that needs addressing with urgency.

  • The company is poorly recognised, and customers have negative perceptions or zero awareness of its offerings.
  • The company fails to communicate its unique value proposition or inspire customer loyalty.
  • The company's reputation may be highly unfavourable, and attracting customers or top talent is challenging.
  • Immediate and extensive actions are likely necessary to revitalise the brand.

Brand Strength Score

Scoring brand strength is subjective because it relies on individual perceptions and interpretations of various factors, such as customer sentiment, market dynamics, and the competitive landscape, which can vary.

Using our scoring methodology, the average score of a business is calculated as being C (average). This differs from the average score of the top 10,000 businesses featured in our coverage. Weighted to that cohort, the average brand strength score increases to a B (good).

The analysis team have noted the following factors impacting its brand strength:

  • recognised as a leader in the technology industry: A
  • Established presence in the corporate world: A
  • Strong global presence: A
  • Well-known and respected brand in the IT world: A
  • Positive customer reviews: A
  • Active in the social media space: B
  • Solid brand image: B
  • Regularly featured in the press: B
  • Brand Strength Score: A

7Ps Marketing Analysis

The 7Ps of marketing are crucial components of strategic decision making for any organisation in any industry vertical.

Using the 7Ps in competitive analysis provides a holistic view of the marketplace, allowing businesses to refine their strategies, capitalise on competitors' weaknesses, and better meet consumer needs. The 7P's are defined as:

  • Product/Service
  • Price/Fee
  • Place/Access
  • Promotion
  • People
  • Physical Evidence
  • Processes

All these elements together frame an organisation's marketing mix, crucial for creating effective marketing strategies.

This 7P analysis is designed to provide a valuable insight into the business strategies of the company. It can be used to reveal strengths and weaknesses in their marketing mix, offering opportunities to compare and enhance a business.

1. Product/Services: Black Box Corporation offers a range of technology solutions, including networking, cabling, and infrastructure products. These include switches, routers, servers, and cables, as well as software and services. The company also offers consulting services for custom solutions and technical support for their products.

2. Price/Fees: Black Box Corporation offers competitive pricing for their products and services, taking into consideration the quality and reliability of their solutions. They also offer different pricing tiers to cater to the needs and budgets of different customers. Additionally, the company provides discounts for bulk purchases and long-term contracts.

3. Place/Access: Black Box Corporation has a global presence with their products and services available in multiple countries through their online platform and physical stores. They also have partnerships with various resellers and distributors to ensure easy access to their products and services.

4. Promotion: The company promotes its products and services through various channels, including digital marketing, trade shows, and partnerships with other technology companies. They also offer promotions and discounts to attract new customers and retain existing ones.

5. Physical Evidence: Black Box Corporation ensures that their physical presence reflects the quality and reliability of their products and services. This includes well-designed retail stores, professional packaging, and high-quality materials used in their products.

6. Processes: The company follows a streamlined process for product development, manufacturing, and distribution to ensure timely delivery and consistent quality. They also have efficient processes for customer service and technical support to maintain customer satisfaction.

7. People: Black Box Corporation prides itself on having a team of knowledgeable and skilled employees who are dedicated to providing excellent customer service. They also invest in employee training and development to keep up with the latest technologies and industry trends.

Potential Products

As part of this study, we have carefully examined and prognosticated a range of new products, services, or innovations that this organisation could potentially develop and introduce to strengthen its market position and respond to emerging industry trends.

A cloud-based support service for customer technical issues.

Professional installation and maintenance services.

A subscription-based software as a service (SaaS) platform.

A custom-built hardware as a service (HaaS) platform.

An online marketplace for pre-owned and refurbished Black Box products.

A support chatbot to answer customer inquiries.

A mobile app for remote monitoring and troubleshooting.

A warranty and repair service for Black Box products.

A custom design and development service for Black Box products. 10. A data analytics service to help customers optimise their network performance.

Potential Synergies

Our proprietary product and portfolio-matching algorithm has identified the following organisations as having strong potential synergies with the company, based on strategic alignment, complementary capabilities, and opportunities for collaboration across markets or domains.

1. Hewlett Packard
2. Dell Technologies
3. Microsoft
4. Cisco Systems
5. IBM
6. Intel
7. Oracle
8. Gen Digital Inc
9. Apple
10. Fujitsu

Porter's Five Forces

Developed by Michael Porter in 1979, Porter’s Five Forces is a model used to analyse industry attractiveness and evaluate competitive environments. It considers five forces:

  • Competitive rivalry
  • Supplier power
  • Buyer power
  • Threat of substitution
  • Threat of new entries

We include this framework because it supports strategic planning, investment decision-making, and long-term competitive positioning across industries by highlighting structural pressures, market threats, and potential profit constraints.

The Porters 5 forces for Black Box Corporation are as follows:

1. Bargaining power of buyers: HIGH

2. Bargaining power of suppliers: MEDIUM

3. Threat of new entrants: LOW

4. Threat of substitutes: MEDIUM

5. Rivalry among existing businesses: MEDIUM

Based on the Porters 5 forces, Black Box Corporation scores fairly average, with a few areas where the company could improve.

PESTLE Analysis

A PESTLE analysis is used to evaluate external factors affecting an organisation. It examines (1) Political; (2) Economic; (3) Social; (4) Technological; (5) Legal; and (6) Environmental influences. This framework helps businesses identify potential risks and opportunities in the macro-environment, supporting informed decision-making, strategic planning, and long-term sustainability in dynamic markets.

Reasons to use a PESTLE include:

  • Environmental Scanning: PESTLE helps assess external factors, keeping executives aware of key forces
  • Strategic Planning: It identifies opportunities and threats, aiding market alignment and goal-setting
  • Risk Assessment: PESTLE highlights risks, helping businesses develop mitigation strategies
  • Market Insights: It provides insights into trends, behavior, and regulations for better strategy development
  • Business Adaptation: Regular analysis allows businesses to stay competitive by adapting to changes

Below is the PESTLE analysis for this company:

PESTLE Analysis: political, economic, social, technological, legal, environmental

CATWOE Analysis

CATWOE

The CATWOE analysis helps businesses understand stakeholders' perspectives for informed decision-making, covering six elements:

  • Customers: Beneficiaries of the system’s outputs
  • Actors: Those who influence the system’s functionality
  • Transformation: Converting inputs into value-creating outputs
  • World View: The broader context behind the system’s existence
  • Owner: Decision-makers with authority over the system
  • Environment: External factors impacting the system

The CATWOE analysis is most effective when used alongside a SWOT analysis.

SWOT Analysis

This SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool used to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the Black Box Corporation business.

When creating this SWOT the team at Platform Executive have taken into consideration the corporate strategy; brand; key financials; the competitive landscape; along with the products and/or services offered.

To offer increased context for future innovation and product development we also consider the historical context for the business and industry; and perceived direction of travel.

Upon researching the company, we have uncovered a number of strategic and operational strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

SWOT Analysis: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats

Strengths

The strengths of a company refer to its internal attributes or capabilities that provide it with a competitive advantage.

Below is a list of the key strengths we have identified for the business:

1. Strong market position: Black Box Corporation is a leading provider of network infrastructure solutions with a strong market position in the United States and Europe.

2. Innovative products: Black Box Corporation offers a wide range of innovative products that meet the needs of customers in the ever-changing IT landscape.

3. Experienced management team: Black Box Corporation has an experienced management team with a proven track record in the industry.

4. Financial stability: Black Box Corporation is a financially stable company with a strong balance sheet.

Opportunities

Opportunities refer to factors that present potential avenues for growth, advantage, or improvement for an organisation.

Below is a list of opportunities we have identified for the business:

1. Develop a comprehensive customer relationship management system: To ensure customer satisfaction, Black Box Corporation should develop a customer relationship management system to track customer interactions, feedback, and preferences. This will enable better customer segmentation, more personalised service, and better customer retention.

2. Increase marketing efforts: To maximise revenue opportunities, Black Box Corporation should increase its marketing efforts. This could include increasing online presence, developing targeted social media campaigns, and launching new product marketing initiatives.

3. Improve operational efficiency: Black Box Corporation should focus on improving operational efficiency by streamlining processes and automating tasks. This will reduce costs and improve customer service levels, leading to increased profits.

4. Expand into new markets: To increase sales and profits, Black Box Corporation should consider expanding into new markets, such as international markets. This will open up new opportunities and help the company to reach a larger customer base.

Weaknesses

The weaknesses refer to factors that hinder a company's performance or competitive advantage.

Below is a list of the weaknesses we have identified for the business:

1. Lack of customer focus – Black Box Corporation does not have a clear understanding of its target market or what its customers want and need. This has led to a lack of focus in its marketing and product development efforts, resulting in a decline in market share.

2. Ineffective management – Black Box Corporation has been plagued by ineffective management, which has led to a decline in operational efficiency and profitability.

3. Poor financial management – Black Box Corporation has been poorly managed financially, resulting in a decline in its financial performance.

4. Lack of innovation – Black Box Corporation has been slow to innovate, resulting in a decline in its market share.

Threats

The threats to an organisation refer to factors that pose challenges or risks to a company's success.

Below is a list of the threats we have identified for the business:

1. Increasing competition: Black Box Corporation faces increasing competition from similar companies, which could lead to price erosion and reduced market share.

2. Regulatory changes: Changes in regulations, such as those related to environmental regulations, could lead to increased costs and operational disruptions.

3. Technological disruption: Rapidly changing technology could lead to Black Box Corporation becoming obsolete.

4. Cybersecurity threats: Cybersecurity threats are a major challenge for all companies, especially in the digital age, and could lead to data breaches, lost revenue, and reputational damage.

5C Analysis

The 5C Analysis is a marketing framework that can be used to provide insight into the key drivers of success, as well as the risk exposure to various environmental factors.

This (concise) 5C analysis examines the external and internal environment for Black Box Corporation. It includes analysing the company's customers, competitors, collaborators, context, and capabilities. We have produced this short analysis to identify potential opportunities and threats to Black Box Corporation, as well as areas where the company needs to improve its operations or strategy.
Company: Black Box Corporation is a technology company that provides data storage solutions to businesses and individuals. It offers a wide range of products and services, including cloud computing, data storage, disaster recovery, network security, and analytics. The company has a global presence and operates in a number of countries.

Collaborators: Black Box Corporation works with a number of partners and suppliers to ensure the highest quality products and services. They have strategic partnerships with industry-leading companies such as Microsoft and IBM, as well as smaller vendors.

Customers: Black Box Corporation provides solutions to a wide range of customers, from small businesses to large enterprises. They offer products and services tailored to the needs of each individual customer.

Competitors: Black Box Corporation is one of the leading players in the data storage solutions market. Its main competitors are EMC, NetApp, and Hewlett-Packard.

Content: Black Box Corporation provides a wide range of content, including videos, whitepapers, case studies, and webinars. This content is designed to help customers understand their solutions and how to bestutilise them.
5C Analysis: company, customers, competition, collaboration, climate

MOST Analysis

MOST Analysis: mission, objectives, strategy, tactics

The MOST analysis framework is used to identify an organisation's strategic goals, assess its strengths and weaknesses, and develop a plan to achieve its objectives. The MOST analysis helps executives focus on what they want to achieve and how to achieve it, while also identifying potential roadblocks or obstacles.

  • Mission defines the organisations purpose and core values, providing a clear direction and inspiration for stakeholders
  • Objectives are specific, measurable targets that support the mission; they indicate what the organisation aims to achieve within a defined timeframe
  • Strategy outlines the high-level approach the organisation will undertake to reach its objectives, detailing how resources will be allocated and initiatives prioritised
  • Tactics are the actionable steps and specific plans that implement the strategy, ensuring that all team members understand their roles in achieving objectives

We have created this analysis from a 3rd person perspective.

Innovation Scorecard

The team at Platform Executive assesses and then benchmarks businesses and the industry verticals in which they operate using a proprietary scoring mechanism designed to benchmark innovation.

First, we allocate a score of A-E for the industry, based on the key organisations operating within the space; and then score the individual organisation using a 1-5 score.

A score of D-E within an industry means that it is potentially ripe to be disrupted by a new entrant; and/or vulnerable to technological change.

Likewise, a high score of 4-5 for the company in question indicates that it lags behind notable businesses in terms of innovation and product pipeline.

Below is a guide to each score:

Innovation Scorecard

Industry Score:

A The industry is amongst the most innovative; with the leading players all driving the sector forward.
Example industry: PaaS
B The industry and its leading players have a good track record of innovation; and can quickly react to change.
Example industry: Pharmaceutical
C Companies operating within the sector have adequate levels of innovation; and engage in R&D activities when appropriate.
Example industry: FMCG
DBusinesses operating in the industry do not invest enough time and resource into innovation. The sector is stagnant and a good candidate for disruption.
Example industry: Retail Banking
E The major players in the sector seem to lack suitable product development roadmaps; and as a result the sector is highly vulnerable to industry change.
Example industry: Publishing

 

Company Score:

1 The business is amongst the leading players in terms innovation and product pipeline. This will fulfil and reinforce the operations of the business in the medium to long-term.
2 The business has a good track record of innovation, in terms of its products and/or its business model. It is therefore more likely to be able to react and adapt to any changes to the industry.
3 The business is deemed to have an adequate innovation plan, build on research and development and sustainability where appropriate. The business has a product development strategy.
4The business needs to invest more resource and/or intellectual capital in product development, pipelines and/or its business model. The business is at risk of stagnation.
5 The business seems to lack a suitable product development roadmap; and as a result is vulnerable to any notable industry change and/or new entrants in the marketplace.
The team at Platform Executive has judged Black Box Corporation as having an innovation score of B3.

Appendices

The appendices section of this report contains supplementary information that we deem helpful in providing a more comprehensive understanding of the report.

Methodology

This study on Black Box Corporation forms part of our series of competitive intelligence reports, which focuses on 10,000 of the largest corporates.

The report is based on information and learning from the following sources:

  • Corporate websites
  • Proprietary research databases
  • SEC Filings
  • Corporate press releases
  • News articles
  • Financial data API's
  • Product-matching algorithm

Further Reading

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Disclaimer

All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of the content produced in this report is prohibited without the prior permission of the publisher, Platform Executive Pty Ltd.

The facts of this report have been gathered in good faith from both primary and secondary sources. It is believed to be correct at the time of publication, but cannot be guaranteed. As such Platform Executive can accept no liability whatever for actions taken based on any information that may subsequently prove to be incorrect.

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