IT spending among Asian small and medium businesses to grow 9.4% in 2005

IDC expects the IT expenditure of small and medium-sized businesses in Asia (excluding Japan) to slow to 9.4% for 2005/2004 from the previous period of 14.2%, reaching a total envisaged spending of $29.7 bln in 2005. IDC predicts a higher rate of growth in terms of IT expenditure from the medium-sized corporations (100 to 499 employees). Hardware continues to be the main expenditure item of SMBs, with an average expected contribution rate of 57.8% over the next four years towards the overall IT expenditure.