ChangeWave's latest IT purchasing survey shows another pullback occurring in corporate spending — both for the current quarter so far and for the next 90 days going forward. At the same time, the Apple iPhone is beginning to gain traction in the corporate marketplace even as RIM maintains a big market share lead.

Rockville, MD (PRWEB) August 28, 2008 — ChangeWave's latest IT purchasing survey shows the downturn in the U.S. economy is far from over, as an even greater pullback is taking place in corporate spending. At the same time, the Apple iPhone is beginning to gain traction in the corporate marketplace even as RIM maintains a big market share lead.

A total of 1,947 respondents involved with IT spending in their organization participated in the study, conducted August 11-21, 2008.

The survey first asked respondents if their 3rd Quarter IT spending was on track to date, and the results were the worst we've seen in a ChangeWave survey. Three-in-ten (30%) say they've spent "Less than Planned" — 3-pts worse than the previous May survey. Just 12% say they've spent "More than Planned." Detailed charts on corporate IT spending and smart phone trends, along with additional ChangeWave findings can be downloaded at changewave.com/corporate.

Visibility Going Forward — A Picture of Negative Growth:

Looking ahead, the results are correspondingly grim, with 29% saying their company's IT spending will decrease (or there will be no spending at all) in the 4th Quarter — 5-pts worse than the previous survey. At the same time, just 13% say spending will increase — a drop of 2-pts from previously.

Increase vs. Decrease in IT Budgets

"The brief period of stabilization picked up in our May survey has given way to another major leg downward," said Tobin Smith, founder of ChangeWave and editor of ChangeWave Investing. "You have to go way back to the middle of the last recession (August 2001) to find a ChangeWave survey projecting this big of an IT spending downturn."

In terms of the impact of energy costs, better than a third of respondents (35%) reported high prices were affecting their company's IT spending plans for second half 2008, 1-pt worse than previously. Almost as importantly, one-in-four (25%) say the looming U.S. presidential election is having an impact on their company's IT spending decisions.

This supports the thesis that corporate America has currently placed a considerable percentage of spending decisions on hold, at least till after the November elections — perhaps longer.

When we asked respondents exactly when they thought IT spending would pick up in their company, a robust 39% said not until at least the 2nd Quarter of 2009 or later.

Corporate Smart Phones: Research In Motion Holds its Lead:
In the same survey ChangeWave also focused on corporate smart phone buying, and here Research in Motion (RIMM) (79%) continues to overshadow its two main competitors in terms of planned 4th Quarter purchases — but note that it's down a full 3-pts from the record high registered in May.

(See attached chart – Corporate Market: RIM vs. Palm vs. Apple)

ChangeWave also picked up weaker visibility for RIM in its most recent consumer smart phone survey (June 2008). Thus, at least momentarily, RIM appears to be confronted with visibility issues on both the consumer and corporate fronts.

Rival Apple (AAPL) (17%) continues to show considerable momentum in terms of planned corporate smart phone purchases — up 4-pts from previously. Note that recent ChangeWave Consumer surveys have shown the 3G iPhone having a huge impact on consumer demand, the current results show the iPhone is beginning to gain real traction in the Corporate market as well.

In yet another positive for Apple, 19% of respondents report the release of the 3G iPhone has made their company More Likely to purchase Apple products in the future — only 1% say Less Likely. Thus, the 3G iPhone release appears to be having a positive 'halo effect' in terms of improved overall corporate purchasing intentions for Apple products in general.

To sign-up for real time email alerts from ChangeWave on IT spending and smart phone trends, visit changewave.com/hotwire.

About ChangeWave:
ChangeWave runs a proprietary network of more than 15,000 highly qualified business, technology, and medical professionals in leading companies of select industries – credentialed experts who spend their everyday lives working on the frontline of technological change. ChangeWave surveys its members on a range of business and investment research topics, collects feedback from them electronically, and converts the information into quantitative and qualitative reports. For more information, visit changewave.com.

For questions, contact Darlene March: darlene @ changewave.com