A new survey of CIOs finds they are increasingly optimistic that 2010 will be a year where they get to actually roll out new technologies and upgrade aging equipment. CIO Update has the details.
The CompTIA IT Industry Business Confidence Index experienced its largest jump ever in December 2009, reflecting renewed optimism and strengthening balance sheets among IT companies. The December rating jumped 6.3 points to 56.6, marking the first time net positive opinions exceeded net negative opinions. The December results come on the heels of a relatively stagnant confidence reading for most of 2009.
Over the next six months, IT industry executives expect further strengthening of the U.S. economy, the IT industry and their companies. The group forecasts an additional 6.5 point increase in confidence, moving the rating into a solidly positive range on the 100-point scale.
“Many macro-economic indicators have improved over the past six months, lending factual support to the positive perceptions of IT executives,” said Tim Herbert, vice president, research at CompTIA, in a statement. “Yet some big unknowns still loom, such as unemployment, the impact of public sector debt and the tight lending and credit market. Until these factors start to turn around, exuberance about an economic recovery will rightfully be tempered.”
The impact on the IT industry will be evident as executives perform the delicate balancing act of investing in the future, through research and development and new business investments, while at the same time maintaining cutting costs, Herbert said.