| Author |
Message
|
| DaTuRtLeSZ |
 Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 3:05 pm Post subject: Enterprise I.T. - Where Is the Money Going? |
 |
|
Investing Manager
|
One of the main spending focuses for publicly traded companies is in compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley, said Gartner analyst Yefim Natis. "This is a major target area as the government begins to roll out enforcement," he told CIO Today.
Feeling warm yet? According to many analysts, the deep freeze that was put on I.T. budgets in the last few years has begun to thaw, as companies are beginning to increase spending on technology.
"The ice age is over," META Group analyst Howard Rubin told CIO Today. "The uptick in spending isn't overwhelming, maybe only 3 or 4 percent, but it's there."
Although overall spending is going up, Rubin noted that companies now are being cautious, having learned a lesson about overspending in the technology boom. By most analyst estimates, there is more of an emphasis on aligning I.T. with business and managing risk in terms of revenue volatility.
"In some ways, I.T. is out of tricks," said Rubin. "They've already cut overhead, and done outsourcing . Now they have to think harder about where to put their money, because they've squeezed budgets enough."
Showing Compliance
One of the main spending focuses for publicly traded companies is in compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley, said Gartner analyst Yefim Natis.
"This is a major target area as the government begins to roll out enforcement," he told CIO Today.
The SEC recently extended the compliance date by one year for SMBs and foreign companies doing business in the United States. Gartner recommends that the companies make good use of that time.
"Budgets are limited, and companies are trying to be compliant and cost-conscious at the same time," said Natis. "Sometimes, they don't have much left over for anything else."
Security Focus
For those that do have additional funds, security is a large -- and fairly unsurprising -- expense.
"Security is pretty much a given at this point," said Rubin. "If you're not spending on that, you're going to be in trouble."
He added that in addition to standard security, such as antivirus and network firewalls, companies are taking a better look at the range of security options.
For example, companies might spend on another layer of security for a Web-enabled application or extra security layers for redundant servers.
Storage Locker
Also on the rise for spending is storage, which continues to come down in cost. As the storage industry gets more competitive, companies are finding that they can err on the side of data clutter and simply keep more information rather than clearing out old data banks.
"Storage is cheap, so why not use it?" asked Rubin rhetorically. "Companies are finally understanding the value of information, so that's driving the growth of the storage industry."
Also driving that growth is the trend toward companies moving off a mainframe environment, Rubin added.
Storage is not merely looked at as a digital warehouse for a company's stuff, however. In many cases, it is seen as part of a strategy to grow the business, and bring I.T. into alignment with larger business goals.
"I.T. is thinking of how to make the business more efficient, and that leads to increased bandwidth and greater productivity," Rubin said. "Storage ties in because you need someplace to keep all that vital new information."
New Classic Strategies
Other areas where I.T. budgets are going include administration, applications support and maintenance, and hardware support and maintenance, IDC analyst Amy Konary told CIO Today.
Lesser focus areas include project management, new development and applications integration , Konary added.
This focus could indicate that many companies are trying to find agility with what they already have. And as they add to in-house resources, I.T. departments are not straying far from what they have been using, Natis said.
"Companies have already been lost in a variety of vendors," he noted. "Now, they're favoring vendors that have a large selection of technology, even if the company isn't going to buy everything. It gives them a greater sense of control to work with just one or two vendors."
Purse Strings
There are some areas where money is distinctly not going. Natis noted that few companies are taking a chance with risky innovation or untried technology.
Instead, there is a movement toward established vendors and products, with simplification being key.
If an I.T. strategy leans toward complexity, it is less likely to be implemented, Natis believes.
"Right now, it's all about streamlining I.T.," he said. "Companies are tired of complex environments that take a lot of care and feeding." |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
| christinewall |
| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 11:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
Investing Associate
Joined: 07 Mar 2011
Posts: 15
This Month: 15
8831.84 e$
Net worth: 8,831.84
Portfolio Value: 0.00
Monthly Return: 0.00%
Trades this month: 0
Churn Rate: 0.00%Items
|
Start to make fortune on Penny Stock by the help of a Powerful
Newsletter..Subscribe it for free..
Click here
Premium Stock Picks |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| usher |
| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 11:11 am Post subject: |
|
|
Investing Sr. Associate
Joined: 28 Feb 2011
Posts: 117
This Month: 117
37838.32 e$
Net worth: 37,838.32
Portfolio Value: 0.00
Monthly Return: 0.00%
Trades this month: 0
Churn Rate: 0.00%Items
|
| What have you done to help make yourself more money today or expand your mind? New stocks arrive just for you! Don't be let behind @ http://hottestpicks.net |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| thor |
| Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 4:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
Investing Manager
Joined: 02 Mar 2011
Posts: 220
This Month: 220
70412.82 e$
Net worth: 70,412.82
Portfolio Value: 0.00
Monthly Return: 0.00%
Trades this month: 0
Churn Rate: 0.00%Items
|
This stock report is a sure guide to your great success in terms of stock picks. With an impressive stock picks record gainer at 276%!
Guaranteed new ideas with simple ways on having good stock picks to be able to gain more! sign up here -
FREE stock report! Get the well-known picks in the market. @ http://hottestpicks.net/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
stock market game on the web. At eInvesting you compete for monthly cash prizes while you interact, make virtual dollars, purchase items, and trade in the realistic stock market simulator. We make investing FUN!
