Northern Ireland IT Market Reaches 658 Million in 2005

The Northern Irish IT market is expected to grow, despite the complex political and investment challenges the region faces. Among the key findings from a recently completed large-scale IDC survey of private and public sector organizations, ISVs, and service providers in Northern Ireland are:

The total market for externally purchased IT products and services is 658 million (Ä982 million).
Government spending accounts for 70% of the market and private sector spending accounts for 30%.
IDC expects good growth in spending from 2005 to 2010, with the market reaching 877 million (Ä1,310 million) in 2010.

Commenting on these results, Chris Ingle, group consultant for IDC’s European Systems Group, said, Northern Ireland is an attractive region to invest in because of the skills and age of the workforce, good quality infrastructure - from transport through broadband to public services - and its physical location. Maintaining peace, attracting overseas investors, and diversifying the private sector are the three main challenges for the region. IT has a critical role to play in expanding the private sector and renewing infrastructure in the public sector.

Keith Gaffney, sales manager, IDC Ireland, added, We have seen a number of leading IT suppliers set up operations in Northern Ireland and expand the resources they devote to this region. This is a welcome recognition of the opportunity in Northern Ireland and, as the market expands, other IT suppliers will want to look at their own investments in sales and marketing to address the complex solution requirements of Northern Irish organizations.

For more information on the following recent IDC studies into the Northern Irish IT markets please contact Group Consultant Chris Ingle on 44 (0) 20 8987 7119, or email cingle@idc.com. Alternatively, contact your local IDC office.

Northern Ireland IT Trends: Market Sizing and Customer Views - Public Sector (Doc #SR02N)

Northern Ireland IT Trends: Market Sizing and Customer Views - Private Sector (Doc #SR03N)

Northern Ireland IT Trends: Independent Software Vendors (Doc #SR04N)

Northern Ireland IT Trends: Channels and Service Providers (Doc #SR05N)