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Data Center Hardware Spending and Operating System Trends August, 2010 IT organizations are spending less on servers, storage, and PCs as a percentage of IT operational budget each year due to declining hardware costs, outsourcing, and better utilization of assets through virtualization and other strategies. In this study, we examine the one-year and five-year trends in spending on servers and storage. We also look at the spending trends for data center software and PC hardware. Finally, we examine operating system trends in the data center, comparing how the mix of various server operating systems is changing over time. We conclude with our recommendations on managing spending on hardware infrastructure. (12 pp., 5 figs.) [Research Byte] Data Network Operations Outsourcing Trends August, 2010 Outsourcing of data network operations is a strategy for controlling costs related to the configuration and support of corporate data networks. This study examines the percentage of organizations outsourcing data network operations (frequency), the average amount of work outsourced (level), and the change in the amount of work being outsourced (trend). We also present the cost experience, which provides insight into the risk IT organizations take in turning to outside service providers. This statistic measures the percentage of organizations that find outsourcing of data network operations costs more, the same as, or less than expected. We also show how these trends differ by organization size and sector and examine the role played by offshore service providers in the data network operations outsourcing market. (17 pp., 12 Figs.) [Research Byte] Technology Trends 2010/2011 July, 2010 The use of IT in business is rapidly evolving, with new technologies and IT initiatives shifting in popularity from year to year. But which technologies justify investment? This study is assists IT executives in planning for use of new technologies in light of the adoption and economic experiences of those that have already implemented them. Technologies covered include application consolidation; CRM; data center consolidation; desktop virtualization; enterprise social networking; ERP; governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC) systems; help desk self-support systems; infrastructure cloud computing; legacy system renewal; Windows 7; mobile applications; open source business apps; predictive analytics; RFID; software as a service (SaaS); 10G ethernet; unified communications, and video conferencing. Read the full report description for more information. (73 pp., 61 figs.) [Full Report Description and Sample Pages] Database Administration (DBA) Outsourcing Trends July, 2010 Database administration (DBA) outsourcing is an often-overlooked strategy for controlling costs related to the maintenance and support of databases. This study examines the percentage of organizations outsourcing database administration (frequency), the average amount of work outsourced (level), and the change in the amount of work being outsourced (trend). We also present the cost experience, which provides insight into the risk IT organizations take in turning to outside service providers. This statistic measures the percentage of organizations that find database administration outsourcing costs more, the same, or less than expected. We also show how these trends differ by organization size and sector and examine the role played by offshore service providers.(19 pp., 13 figs.) [Research Byte] IT Spending and Staffing Benchmarks 2010/2011: Full Study June, 2010 Our 2010/2011 IT Spending and Staffing Benchmarks study provides a comprehensive view of the current state of IT budgeting and staffing levels for business and governmental organizations in the U.S. and Canada, based on our 21st annual survey. This article allows purchase of all 25 chapters at a significant discount off the individual chapter price. (1,215 pp., 792 figs.) [Full Study Description, Chapter Pricing] VoIP Adoption, ROI, and TCO Trends May, 2010 Investment in Voice over IP (VoIP) is widespread and growing, although some organizations are having difficulty precisely estimating their total cost-of-ownership. This study examines VoIP adoption trends, providing data on how many organizations have the technology in place, how many are in the process of implementing it, and how many are expanding implementations. To give additional insight, we look at the economic experience of those that have adopted the technology. We examine return on investment (ROI) experience in terms of the percentage of organizations that report positive and break-even ROI within a two-year period. We also balance the potential ROI against the risks, measured in terms of the percentage of organizations that exceed budgets for total cost of ownership (TCO). (16 pp., 10 figs.) [Research Byte] Four Essential Steps Toward Outsourcing IT Functions May, 2010 The maturation of outsourcing, globalization, an abundance of offshore providers, and the improving economy are creating more opportunities for organizations of all sizes, but especially for small and midsize businesses, to leverage outside service providers. This report outlines the essential steps required to establish the requirements, select a service provider, and negotiate a deal. (11 pp., 2 figs.) [Research Byte] Malicious Insider Threats May, 2010 This special report, based on our survey of IT security professionals and executives worldwide, analyzes malicious insider threats to businesses. Basic categories of malicious threats include accessing confidential information without authorization, disclosing confidential information, executing fraudulent transactions, and sabotage of the organization’s systems, network, or data. For each of these four categories of threat, we present data concerning the perceived seriousness of the threat and actual incidents and risks of each type. We then analyze the popularity of various methods for preventing, countering, and detecting incidents of malicious insider activity. (47 pp., 27 figs.) [Extended Description] [Research Byte] Database Administration (DBA) Staffing Ratios April, 2010 Organizations are placing ever-increasing demands on the role of the database administrator (DBA). This study will help IT managers determine whether they are keeping pace with the industry by comparing their database administration staffing against industry benchmarks. We assess two basic metrics: database administrators as a percentage of the IT staff and terabytes of storage per DBA. We provide these benchmarks for the composite sample, by organization, and by sector. This report also highlights the three-year trend in the staffing of the DBA function and the influence of outsourcing on DBA staffing ratios. (20 pp., 10 figs.) [Research Byte] Desktop Support Outsourcing Trends and Cost Experience April, 2010 Outsourcing of desktop support is a popular strategy for controlling costs related to PC hardware, software, and maintenance. This study examines the percentage of organizations outsourcing desktop support (frequency), the average amount of work outsourced (level), and the change in the amount of work being outsourced (trend). We also present the cost experience, which provides insight into the risk IT organizations take in turning to outside service providers. This statistic measures the percentage of organizations that find outsourcing desktop support costs more, the same, or less than expected. We also show how these trends differ by organization size and sector and examine the surprisingly substantial role played by offshore outsourcing. (19 pp., 13 figs.) [Research Byte] IFRS Requirements for Calculating the Economic Useful Life of IT Equipment April, 2010 Computer Economics is offering for sale this partner publication by DMC Valuations Group. This special report identifies the major categories of IT equipment and determines normal decline rates over the Economic Useful Life (EUL) of the assets to assist in complying with the requirments of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Categories include desktop computers; laptop, notebook and tablet computers; servers (low-end to midrange, high-end, and mainframe); printers (desktop and high volume); network communications (low-end hubs and routers, appliances, and high-end); disk subsystems; tape subsystems; UPS systems (low-end and high-end systems); and copiers (multifunction low-end and high-end with printers and scanners). (38 pp, 16 figs.) IT Staffing Ratios 2010: Benchmarking Metrics and Analysis for 15 Key IT Functions March, 2010 This special publication bundles the entire collection of our reports on IT staffing ratios. The IT functions covered include IT management, project management, documentation and training, help desk, desktop support, business analysts, server support, network administration, applications development, ERP support, database administration, data warehouse/business intelligence, IT quality assurance, IT security, and web/e-commerce. This special collection is a valuable source of information for IT executives interested in benchmarking their staffing levels with those of similar organizations. (218 pp., 125 figs.) [Full Report Description and Free Sample] Application Development and Maintenance Staffing Ratios March, 2010 Application development and maintenance personnel make up the single largest job category in the IT organization today. However, these application programmers and system analysts appear to be declining as a percentage of the total IT staff. This study will help IT managers determine whether their organizations are keeping pace with the industry by comparing their application staffing against industry benchmarks. We assess two basic metrics: application personnel as a percentage of the IT staff, and the number of users per application staff member. We provide benchmarks for the composite sample, by organization, and by sector. We also report on the three-year trend in the staffing of this function and the influence of outsourcing on staffing ratios. (19 pp., 10 figs.) [Research Byte] Current Trends in the Use of IT Contract Workers February, 2010 Managing a contract IT workforce is made easier by staffing agencies and vendor management systems, but IT managers must first determine the proper balance between full-time IT employees and temporary help. In this study, we examine the typical use of contract workers as a percentage of the IT staff by organization size and sector. We also examine the four-year trend between 2006 and 2009 to discover how this ratio has changed in light of the economic recession. Further, we examine how the aggressive use of temporary employees relates to staff growth and turnover. The report concludes with our view on current and future trends in contract labor use. (12 pp., 7 figs.) [Research Byte] 2010 IT Salary Report February, 2010 The Computer Economics 2010 IT Salary Report provides total compensation ranges for 70 specific IT job positions in 73 U.S. metropolitan areas, which IT managers can use to determine appropriate compensation for similar-sized organizations in their geographic area. Compensation levels are provided for small organizations (with less than $350 million in annual revenue) and for midsize/large organizations (greater than $350 million in annual revenue) at the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. The introductory chapter also includes an analysis of the impact of current economic conditions on IT pay raises by major job category, IT staffing levels, turnover rates, training budgets, and incentive pay. (159 pp., 76 figs.) [Full Description of This Report] [Research Byte] Social Media Adoption Trends January, 2010 Social media effectively shifts the one-to-many model of traditional publishing and broadcasting to a many-to-many model that fosters and sustains dialogue. Today many IT managers are asking: What does this mean for the enterprise? This study examines how many companies are leveraging social media and what their experiences have been thus far. We provide data on adoption trends, ROI experience, and TCO experience. We also disclose how organization size and sector influence adoption and economic experience with social networking. We conclude with our viewpoint on the potential benefits of enterprise social media. (14 pp., 8 figs.) [Research Byte] IT Help Desk Management Series November, 2009 In this special publication, we bundle six of our most popular reports that deal with various aspects of help desk (service desk) management. Reports include analysis of the best metrics for measuring help desk efficiency, help desk staffing ratios, help desk outsourcing trends, investment trends for service desk software and self-support tools, and help desk salary benchmarks. The price of this special bundle is discounted 50% from the cost of these six reports if purchased separately. (85 pp., 43 figs.) [Full Report Description] |
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Good News for IT: Hardware Spending Declines Again Data Network Outsourcing Losing Ground DBA Outsourcing Not Widely Embraced but May Become Strategic VoIP Adoption Surpasses Half-Way Point SMBs That Outsource Spend 6% of IT Budget on Service Providers Malicious Insider Threats Greater than Most IT Executives Think Number of Firms Outsourcing Desktop Support Declines Apps Development, Maintenance Staff Shrinks |
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