IDC: How the Changed Economy Is Shaping IT Practices

October 20, 2009 – With the economy now poised to begin a very modest, multiyear recovery, IDC expects "new normal" economic operating practices will continue to shape key decisions about IT operations and investments for years to come.

The IDC report "Coping with the 'New Normal'" examines the changes affecting IT equipment, software and services management and acquisition practices, including longer life cycles, rising interest in open source software and services trends such as outsourcing.

IT leaders have slashed expenses and limited capital purchases to lengthen the deployed life of their hardware assets, minimize spending on software upgrades, and look to service providers to selectively solve pressing maintenance and technical problems.

"Technology providers have a tougher dilemma before them. It’s not just about giving customers competitive offers, but also about having to compete with technology substitutions," said Joseph C. Pucciarelli, program director, Technology Financial & Executive Strategies at IDC.

IDC expects the next few years will see considerable IT platform change as companies are drawn toward the benefits of next-generation data centers, new software offerings and off-premise computing options.

Valerie Valentine is senior editor for Information Management. You can follow her on Twitter at @va1va1entine or via email at valerie.valentine@sourcemedia.com.

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