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Research firm Gartner added its voice to those predicting a rebound in technology spending in 2010, forecasting that worldwide IT spending will grow by 4.6% in 2010.
Gartner said a slow but steady improvement in the macroeconomic environment will support a return to modest growth. Worldwide IT spending will grow 4.6% in 2010 as a result, reaching $3.4 trillion.
“Last quarter, we did not expect to see IT spending levels recover to 2008 levels until 2011, however, now with the upward revision to the current dollar forecast, we are projecting that global IT spending this year will approach the level seen in 2008,” Richard Gordon, Gartner research vice president, said in releasing the forecast.
“Our updated forecast for IT spending to reach $3.4 trillion in 2010 is actually a year earlier than we expected, leveling our previous forecast update, and reflecting a bounce back in underlying IT spending from the sharp drop in 2009.”
The Gartner forecast echoes one made earlier this month by Forrester Research. In its outlook for 2010, Forrester declared that the recession is essentially over. It predicted IT spending would grow 6.6% in the U.S. in 2010 and 8.1% worldwide.
On a regional perspective, Gartner predicts emerging markets will lead the way in IT spending, with 9.3% growth in Latin America, 7.7% growth in the Middle East and Africa, and 7% growth in Asia/Pacific. The recovery in Western Europe, the U.S. and Japan will be more measured, with Western Europe increasing 5.2%, the U.S. growing 2.5%, and Japan growing 1.8%.
“As we begin 2010, multiple factors are conspiring to shape IT spending patterns in years to come,” said Gordon. “Although recovery will be slow, over the next 12 to 18 months gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to increase, consumer confidence is expected to improve, and the availability of credit should increase.”
What that all means, said Gordon, is that pent-up demand for new technologies should drive enterprise spending plans. IT vendors and services providers need ensure they’re ready to capitalize on the opportunity.
In terms of individual spending categories, here’s how Gartner has sized up the opportunities:
Worldwide IT Spending Forecast for 2010
Computing Hardware - $326.4 billion, 1.6% growth
Software - $220.7 billion, 4.9% growth
IT Services - $780.9 billion, 5.6% growth
Telecom - $1.9 trillion, 4.7% growth
All IT - $3.2 trillion, 4.6% growth.
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