New International Technology Confidence Barometer

While cautious about short-term prospects, key IT decision-makers within the US and UK believe that IT spend will increase in 2002 and for the next few years.

Research by RoperNOP Technology has recently found that IT decision-makers surveyed in both countries expect a 4% increase in IT investment in 2002. Longer-term prospects are bright, with almost 4 in 5 IT decision-makers confident that IT investment will move upwards over the next three years.

Networking equipment, systems software and enterprise servers were all key areas mentioned for driving this longer-term increase in IT investment. US respondents also mentioned the importance of investment in desktop and laptop PCs. There was less confidence about an increase in investment for consultancy and outsourcing.

According to Richard Jameson, RoperNOP Technology director, 'The experience of the technology sector in 2001 has highlighted the need for a robust strategic predictor for global IT spend. In meeting this demand RoperNOP Technology has launched its Technology Confidence Barometer to track IT decision-makers' confidence in short, medium and long-term expenditure. This confidence is measured across a range of specific software, hardware, networking and service sectors.'

In partnership with CMP and Silicon Media Group, 4,000 key IT decision-makers will be interviewed online annually in the UK, France, Germany and the US. The survey has been launched following a successful pilot in February and March 2002 among 600 IT decision- makers in organisations ranging from SMEs to large companies.

Jameson concluded 'Syndicate members will be provided with expert analysis of IT Confidence, which will be calibrated against ongoing market data, alongside full on-line access to the data, tabulations, and statistical examination of the data.'

All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.