Information Technology
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Industry Overview
The US information technology (IT) industry includes about 95,000 companies that generate about $175 billion in annual revenue. Large companies include Accenture, Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), and the technology consulting arms of IBM and Hewlett-Packard. The facilities outsourcing segment of the industry is highly concentrated: the 50 largest companies hold more than 80 percent of the market. The rest of the industry is fairly fragmented: the 50 largest companies hold less than half the market.
Related industries covered in separate profiles include manufacturers of computer hardware, software, and telecommunications equipment, as well as providers of Internet and telecommunications services.
Competitive Landscape
Demand for IT services is driven by rapid technological advances, but spending for these expensive products depends on the health of the US economy. The profitability of companies depends on offering technical expertise, innovative services, and effective marketing. Large companies have advantages in broad service offerings and global reach, which give them the ability to provide outsourcing services to big corporate customers. Small companies can compete effectively by specializing in market niches or by partnering with larger companies that want to broaden their mix of services. Average annual revenue per employee is close to $160,000.
Products, Operations & Technology
IT companies mainly provide consulting, systems integration, data processing, and technology outsourcing services to business customers. Roughly half of industry revenue comes from consulting and systems integration activities, while the rest comes from outsourcing. These companies help clients use computers, software, and communications systems more efficiently. In addition to providing advice on using computer systems, they frequently recommend hardware and software systems to their customers. Firms provide a variety of associated services, including business function outsourcing, data warehousing, systems planning, enterprise resource planning, and training.
Companies may be pure consulting operations, or also operate outsourcing and data processing functions, such as IBM and Hewlett-Packard. The types of contracts firms have with customers depend on the service being rendered. Data processing and outsourcing contracts typically last for many years because of the substantial initial cost. In a typical outsourcing contract, the IT company operates (and may own) the computer systems of a client, either operating them at the customer's location or at a centralized data center that serves multiple clients. Consulting contracts are shorter, usually lasting less than a year, and typically specify either a fixed project cost or services billed at hourly rates.
IT operations most often begin at a service provider's website. Large companies like IBM's Global Services division use the Internet to introduce prospective clients to their services. Once a contract is signed, an IT provider can assist customers with on-site staff, live teleconferencing or Webcast tutorials, and longer-term online support (via e-mail and instant messaging between IT staff and customers). Primary applications for IT include aligning IT initiatives with overall business goals, improving IT infrastructure efficiency, and creating a flexible service-oriented architecture that combines systems development with business processes.
