Enterprise Executives' Projections of Greater IT Spending Increase 86 Percent, Finds CMP Media's 'VARBusiness' Magazine

PRNewswire-FirstCall
MANHASSET, N.Y.
Apr 19, 2004

Confidence among enterprise executives that information-technology (IT) spending will increase in the year ahead is up 86 percent in 2004 over 2003, according to research conducted by CMP Media's "VARBusiness," the biweekly magazine that covers the business of technology integration. The "VARBusiness" 2004 State of Enterprise Spending Study, highlighted in the April 19 issue, finds that 39 percent of polled executives with IT purchasing authority at end-user enterprise organizations report their expenditures for hardware, software and services will increase 39 percent in 2004. In the 2003 study, the number was 21 percent.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010808/UNEWYLOGO )

"These numbers alone suggest that the long-waited rebound in the enterprise market is underway," says "VARBusiness" Editorial Director Robert C. DeMarzo. He further notes that the executives are optimistic over projected operating margins, with 37 percent expecting increases in the first half of the year.

The "VARBusiness" 2004 State of Enterprise Spending Study also finds that enterprise buyers are prioritizing their strategic investments in one of the hottest areas of IT -- security, with more than 60 percent deeming security and privacy policies at the top. Other business and spending priorities are identified as improving customer service and support; application development and integration; application maintenance; deploying business integrations using Web services such as Java; and security appliances.

Microsoft heads the list of IT vendors most important to the enterprise. The software maker is followed by Cisco, Oracle, Dell, Intel, HP, IBM and Symantec.

At 97 percent, Windows continues to be the leading PC operating system in which the enterprise is investing resources. It is followed by Linux, Unix and Macintosh. Windows also is the server operating system in which the enterprise is investing most (81 percent), ahead of Unix, Linux, Novell Netware and IBM I Series (OS 400).

The "VARBusiness" 2004 State of Enterprise Spending Study will be posted to the Web at www.varbusiness.com.

Methodology

ARC Research, a Cranford, N.J.-based business intelligence and marketing research firm was commissioned to help design and execute the "VARBusiness" 2004 State of Enterprise Spending Study. The study targeted a list of end- users from a sister publication, Information Week, whose job function is described as IT executive, IT management or line-of-business management in large enterprises having 1,000 or more employees. Respondents were contacted by telephone during January 2004. Out of 3,500 contacts made, 350 qualified and completed the survey, yielding a +/-5.2 percent margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level.

About "VARBusiness" Magazine

For the past 17 years, "VARBusiness" has delivered access to the Solution Provider and Integrator community. "VARBusiness" provides strategic business insight and technology direction for Solution Providers through industry- defining research, in-depth editorial, channel events and innovative Web services, enabling these business and technology integrators to make strategic decisions for their businesses, partnerships and customers. "VARBusiness" has been the recipient of numerous industry awards for both editorial content and design, including the 2003 Gold Eddie award as best BtoB Computing Publication. For additional information about "VARBusiness" products, events and services, please visit our Web site at www.varbusiness.com

About CMP Media

CMP Media LLC (www.cmp.com) is a leading integrated media company providing essential information and marketing services to the entire technology spectrum -- the builders, sellers and users of technology worldwide. Capitalizing on its editorial strength, CMP is uniquely positioned to offer marketers comprehensive, integrated media solutions tailored to meet their individual needs. Its diverse products and services include newspapers, magazines, Internet products, research, direct marketing services, education and training, trade shows and conferences, and custom publishing.

   Contact:  Gordon Plutsky
   VARBusiness Magazine
   (516) 562-7766

   Jason Chupick
   Plesser Associates
   (212) 420-8383 x208
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010808/UNEWYLOGO

SOURCE: CMP Media LLC

CONTACT: Gordon Plutsky, "VARBusiness" Magazine, +1-516-562-7766; or
Jason Chupick, Plesser Associates, +1-212-420-8383, ext. 208, for CMP Media

Web site: http://www.cmp.com/
http://www.varbusiness.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/181993.html