Monday, November 11, 2024

IT Spend Report Shows Tougher Times Ahead

Datamation content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

A new survey reports that IT spend is hitting a historic low levels with no glimmer of resurgence coming in the near future. ChangeWave Research said 39 percent of companies polled have spent less than planned in the current fourth quarter, a drop of nine percentage points from an August survey.

Just six percent of enterprises are spending more in the fourth quarter than they planned, a four point decrease since August. Nearly half, 48 percent said IT budgets will be even smaller in the second half of 2009.

The dire tech expenditure analysis reflects macroeconomics that have businesses slashing costs and reducing headcount. ChangeWave said the figures are the worst ever IT spend projections since 2001.

“The numbers are horrific,” said Paul Carlton, director of research, in a Web conference today about the survey results.

“The current quarter is at historic lows and there is no indicator that spending will get any better any time soon,” he said.

The one stellar aspect is that smartphone sales remain robust and healthy, according to the survey. Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) is maintaining its market lead, and Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) is forging inroads into small to medium-sized businesses, according to ChangeWave.

The research firm surveyed 1,926 tech leaders involved with IT spending during this month. The ChangeWave Alliance (parent company of ChangeWave Research), conducts surveys every quarter of its 15,000 members, who are senior technology and business executives in leading companies in select industries.

The November spending analysis exceeded downward projections made by ChangeWave earlier this year. Back in August, the research firm estimated that 29 percent of companies would cut or stop IT spend.

Going into next year, 45 percent of respondents said IT spending will decrease during the first quarter — which ChangeWave called “unprecedented.” The results reflect a drop of 16 points from the August poll. Only 10 percent report that spending will increase in the first quarter.

This article was first published on InternetNews.com. To read the full article, click here.

Subscribe to Data Insider

Learn the latest news and best practices about data science, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, data security, and more.

Similar articles

Get the Free Newsletter!

Subscribe to Data Insider for top news, trends & analysis

Latest Articles