IT spending per employee reaches record high

Total IT spending per employee among architecture, engineering, planning, and environmental consulting firms has reached an all-time high, according to ZweigWhite’s 2008 Information Technology Survey. Survey findings show firms spend a median of $4,383 per employee on information technology, almost $1,000 more than firms were spending on IT just two years ago.

According to the report, IT staff labor makes up the largest portion of firms’ IT expenses, an average of 31.3 percent of their total IT expenditures. New hardware and hardware repairs, service, and maintenance cover another 26.1 percent of their IT expenses, and software makes up an average of 18.3 percent.

And there’s no slowdown in sight. Most firms (60 percent) expect to increase their IT spending in 2008 by a median of 10 percent. About half of firms (48 percent) plan to spend more on new software and software upgrades, and 46 percent expect to increase spending on PCs, laptops, and servers.

The 2008 Information Technology Survey of Architecture, Engineering, Planning & Environmental Consulting Firms is available from the publisher for $445, plus $8 shipping and handling. Order from ZweigWhite’s online store or call 508-651-1559.