2010 To 2012 Global Tech Industry Outlook

2010 is ending with debt worries and questions about the future of the euro in Europe, doubts about the strength of the US recovery, and worries about overheated economies and higher inflation in China and Latin America. Despite these uncertainties, the global economy should continue to grow in 2011 and 2012, though with different areas of strength and weakness. Similarly, the global IT market will grow by 7.1% in 2011, down just a tad from 7.2% growth in 2010; our first look at the 2012 outlook is for acceleration to 8.7% growth. The Latin America and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EEMEA) regions will grow the fastest, with Asia Pacific and the US also strong. Computer hardware growth will slow to 7.4% after booming in 2010, with software starting to accelerate. Communications equipment will lag, with carrier demand weak but enterprise demand for wireless, unified communications, and videoconferencing taking off. IT services and outsourcing will be mixed, with growth in some markets (e.g., project services in the US and outsourcing in Latin America) but weakness elsewhere. Vendors will need a different playbook to succeed in this shifting tech market.