(Length: 6 pages)

Executive Summary (This is a document excerpt)

IT executives at large North American hospitals expect their 2006 budgets to be 3.1% higher than their 2005 spending — growth that nearly matches the projections from execs in other industries. But this growing healthcare spending is much more likely to be going to new applications, new storage systems, new integration projects, and improved disaster recovery efforts. Vendors looking at healthcare will find ample opportunities to open new relationships. But carpetbaggers beware: Buyers will demand an intimate understanding of their industry, operations, and business goals.