IT Execs Confident in Industry's Future, Yet They Worry
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Overall IT Industry Picture
The overall IT Industry Business Confidence Index is 62.1, up nearly two points from last quarter. -
Technology Sector vs. Overall Economy
The rating of the tech-industry economy on the part of IT execs is 66, compared with a 54.1 rating for the U.S. economy among those IT execs. -
Full Speed Ahead
61% of large IT firms rate their own companies positively overall in terms of confidence in future performance/growth, while 64% of midsize firms and 60% of small firms do the same. -
Top Potential Growth Inhibitors: Purchase Decision
45% of IT industry execs list the possibility of reduced spending on the part of price-sensitive customers as a top, potential growth inhibitor for the near future. -
Top Potential Growth Inhibitors: Margin Call
38% are nervous about the IT industry getting squeezed by decreasing margins. -
Top Potential Growth Inhibitors: Political Considerations
33% say government regulation and/or gridlock could emerge as a major inhibitor. -
Top Potential Growth Inhibitors: Drag Time
24% are concerned about the possibility of lengthy sales cycles. -
Top Potential Growth Inhibitors: Malaise Days
24% cite a general lack of confidence/paralysis as a top concern. -
Top Potential Growth Inhibitors: Talent Gap
24% fear that a lack of available skilled workers and/or labor costs could hurt future growth. -
Top Potential Growth Inhibitors: Change Agents
23% view disruptive tech or business models as a top potential obstacle.
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Why Metrics Matter to the Channel IT executives are expressing increased confidence in the future of their industry. In fact, they perceive the tech industry--and their own companies—as being in notably better shape than the U.S. economy overall, according to new research from CompTIA. While this bodes well for future growth potential, there are concerns about various obstacles that could emerge. Among them are cost-shy customers, narrow margins and disruptive technology. "Growth has been steady, though unremarkable," said Tim Herbert, vice president of research and market intelligence for CompTIA. "IT employment remains robust, and the wave of innovation that started several years ago continues to generate strong demand from buyers. [However], downward trending prices and commoditization are ever-present realities of doing business in the technology sector. This is great for customers, but can present challenges for IT companies, especially those not equipped to wrap services and solutions around their offerings." Executives representing more than 290 IT industry companies took part in the research. Here are key takeaways from the research.