IT Solutions in the Western European Professional Services Industry: IDC Study Highlights Growing Interest in Project-Related So

Printer-friendly versionPDF version

10 Jan 2013

MILAN, January 10, 2013 - A new study by International Data Corporation (IDC) highlights IT solution investment plans in the Western European professional services industry and the consulting, accounting, legal, architecture and engineering, and IT subindustries.

The study found that:

• 37.2% of professional services companies plan to invest in project management, making it the third most important investment space. Legal, accounting, and architecture and engineering companies will be the most active in this space (56.2%, 53.2%, and 43.5% respectively). Project planning and scheduling is the fourth largest solution area by investment plans for 2013, confirming the growing interest in project-related solutions.
• As in previous years, security and storage remain the key investment areas for 2013 - 63.3% of interviewed Western European professional services companies say they plan to invest in security solutions and 42.8% of professional services companies report that they plan to invest in storage, showing a continued commitment in these spaces.
• Timesheet management follows, with 34.6% of professional services companies planning to invest. This solution is particularly important for consultants and lawyers as a means of tracking costs and for resource allocation, and therefore for improving performance and highlighting problems.

"Professional services companies around Europe are more dynamic in IT spending than the average Western European market and want to achieve an improved use of IT," said Angela Vacca, research manager, IDC European Industry Solutions. "Security solutions, storage, and project management are the top three solutions under the spotlight for 2013, as these are key for project-intensive companies."

The study, IT Solutions in the Western European Professional Services Industry: 2013 Expectations Reveal Rising Attention for Project-Related Solutions (IDC #MP02U, December 2012), is part of a new report series, European IT Opportunity: Professional Services Vertical Market, which provides a comprehensive view of this industry sector.

The study leverages results from the recent IDC European Vertical Markets Survey 2012, which surveyed 1,603 Western European companies, including 228 firms in the professional services industry. To find out more about the survey methodology and coverage, please refer to IDC's free methodology study, European Professional Services: IDC European Vertical Markets Survey 2012, Methodology (IDC #MP01U, December 2012).

About IDC

IDC is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. IDC helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community make fact-based decisions on technology purchases and business strategy. More than 1,000 IDC analysts provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries worldwide. For more than 45 years, IDC has provided strategic insights to help our clients achieve their key business objectives. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. You can learn more about IDC by visiting www.idc.com.

News Source : IT Solutions in the Western European Professional Services Industry: IDC Study Highlights Growing Interest in Project-Related Solutions for 2013