Networking Gear, Data Storage To Lead 2012 IT Sales

"Worldwide IT spending is expected to grow 5 percent this year in constant currency, led by demand for IT products in emerging markets such as China, India and Brazil, according to a report from market researcher IDC.

"In the U.S., where IT spending grew 7 percent in 2011, IDC is forecasting IT spending growth of 5 percent driven by purchases of mobile devices, data storage systems, and network equipment.

"Global spending for IT hardware and software are forecast to each grow 6 percent, in constant currency in 2012, while IT services will grow 4 percent this year, according to the report...

"IT spending worldwide in 2011 grew 5 percent in constant currency, despite the uncertain global economy. In U.S. dollar terms the IT industry grew by nearly 9 percent.

"The strongest growth in 2011 came from smartphone sales, up 46 percent year-over-year; software, up 6 percent; and disk storage systems, up 6 percent. Growth in 2011 came despite the impact of the hard disk drive shortage on PC sales...

CRN