Confidence among IT suppliers is at a record high,
according to a survey by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in
England & Wales, and Alliance & Leicester Commercial
Bank.
The survey of more than 1,000 chartered accountants working in
business found that the IT industry was the sector most optimistic
about economic prospects, followed by the property services sector
and energy sector.
"At last we are seeing a shift away from the two-speed economy and
increasing opportunities for businesses across the board," said
Eric Anstee, chief executive of the Institute of Chartered
Accountants in England & Wales.
Anthony Miller, research director at Ovum Holway, said that
although the UK IT industry was set for steady growth, the market
would not return to the boom days of the 1990s.
"There is going to be no boom in the IT industry," he said. "We
will see real growth but it will be in single, not double,
figures."
This means that users should still be prepared to negotiate hard on
price and service levels with suppliers, Miller added.