Global IT spending rose 5 percent at constant currency last year, despite the worsening economic situation in Western Europe and volatility in other regions, according to the IDC's latest Worldwide Black Book. The outlook for 2012 does not look so positive, due mainly to continuing macroeconomic weakness in Europe, where IT spending is still weak. Still, IDC sees another year of 5 percent growth for 2012. Harware and software spending are each forecast to increase by 6 percent in constant currency, with 4 percent growth in IT services. In 2011, emerging markets continued to lead the way, with tech spending in the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) enjoying another year of double-digit growth, boosted by strong demand for mobile devices and software across most regions, offsetting the impact of the hard disk drive (HDD) shortage on PC markets. The strongest growth in 2011 came from smartphones (+46%), software (+6%) and disk storage systems (+6%). Businesses continued to invest in infrastructure upgrades, along with new software applications and mobile devices (including tablets).
These positive trends are expected to continue in 2012, when enterprise spending on network equipment will also accelerate as many organisations invest in network upgrades to cope with the continuing increase in digital information, which will meanwhile ensure another positive year for the storage market. By the end of 2012, the PC industry will also return to positive growth. The situation in Europe will remain difficult, with less than 1 percent growth projected for 2012 and 3 percent projected for 2013. In the US, where IT spending increased by 7 percent last year, 2012 is likely to bring another year of solid growth (5%) driven by mobile devices, software, and network equipment. Japan will see a return to positive growth, after the declines triggered by last year's tsunami and earthquake disaster. IT spending in Brazil, Russia, India and China will be up by 9 percent, 11 percent, 16 percent and 15 percent, respectively.