IT spending to gain 5 percent in 2012, says IDC

Research firm IDC said that total information technology spending will grow 5 percent in 2012 with emerging markets, smartphones, storage and software leading the way.

IDC's estimates are based on constant currency rates. In U.S. dollar terms, IT spending will be up 9 percent, but that's largely due to a weak greenback relative to other currencies.

Among the key growth estimates:

• Hardware spending will be up 6 percent in 2012.
• Software spending will also be up 6 percent.
• IT services spending will grow at a 4 percent clip.
• Smartphone spending will surge 46 percent.
• PC spending will "return to positive growth."

Overall, IDC said it was heartened by the IT spending trends given the wild cards in the global economy. For instance, Europe IT spending is expected to remain weak for the foreseeable future. On the other side of the spending equation, spending in BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) will see growth at double-digit rates.

For 2012, IT spending in Europe will be less than 1 percent. In 2013, Europe IT spending growth will only be 3 percent.

Fortunately, other regions appear to be picking up the slack. To wit:

• U.S. IT spending growth will be 5 percent;
• Japan is expected to rebound in 2012;
• Brazil IT spending will jump 9 percent;
• Russia will be up 11 percent;
• India will gain 16 percent;
• And China tech spending will surge 15 percent.