12 November 2010 – Over three-quarters of IT managers (86 per cent) will continue spending on IT services and equipment next year, despite the threat of a looming double-dip recession and recent spending review, according to a survey conducted by City Lifeline at this year’s IP Expo.

When questioned, 74 per cent of IT managers also claimed they are prepared to spend between five to ten per cent extra on purchasing green IT equipment and services.  The survey, conducted over two days at the IP Expo exhibition, interviewed just over 100 IT managers from both the private and public sector.

Roger Keenan, managing director at City Lifeline comments, “It’s really encouraging to witness a positive outlook on the subject of IT spend for 2011.  Many of the IT managers we spoke to realise the value of investing in the latest IT advancements to ensure their organisations remain competitive during what are still quite difficult times. 

“IT managers also clearly see the long-term benefit of investing in green IT and are prepared to spend more on green technologies as they know they will save money over time by using more efficient equipment and services.  Plus, many of the IT managers we spoke with are being encouraged by senior management to be green either for CSR or financial reasons.”

City Lifeline’s survey also revealed that 57 per cent of IT managers rate security as their top priority when selecting a data centre, followed by price (14 per cent) and a good choice of network and telecoms providers (12 per cent). 

Respondents were also asked if they would be tempted to locate their critical equipment in a remote location to save money.  Nearly two thirds were concerned that connectivity and security would be adversely affected if they located equipment remotely; with 26 per cent of this group saying they wouldn’t even consider operating their equipment in a remote location, such as Northern Scotland or Iceland.