More UK SMEs intend to increase their
IT spending next year compared to their North American
cousins.
A survey of 772 SMEs
in the US, Canada and UK, commissioned by the Computing Technology
Industry Association (CompTIA), found firms overall are being
more cautious on their spending in response to the recession.
Although most SMEs are confident about growing over the next 12
months, they are being more conservative about
IT expenditure.
UK companies, however, said they would be spending more, with
56% planning an increase in their technology budget. This compares
with 54% last year.
The overall study found that 51% of those surveyed intend to
increase their tech spending in the next 12 months, and 49% expect
their tech spending to remain flat or to decline.
By comparison, 62% of firms said in last year's study they
planned to boost spending, while 38% said it would remain flat or
decline.
Todd Thibodeaux, chief executive officer of CompTIA, said, "In
the past, tech spending might have been one of the first line items
slashed in a tough economy.
"Today, SMEs are savvier because they rely on technology for an
increasing amount of their core business operations. It is
encouraging to see that the majority of SMEs plan to maintain, if
not increase, current tech spending during this time of economic
uncertainty."
Though wary about current economic conditions, firms are hopeful
that business will grow over the next 12 months. The survey found
that 85% plan to hire new employees, 54% anticipate revenue growth
of 10% or more, and 40% plan to add new business locations.