Government IT Executives to Juggle Multiple Priorities in 2006; CDW-G Federal IT Landscape Survey Highlights Federal IT Agenda
Federal IT Executives Do Not Live on Bread Alone - Will Sacrifice Carbs, Dessert and Cable Television Before Relinquishing Blackberrys and High-speed Internet
ORLANDO, Fla. - March 15, 2006 - CDW Government, Inc. (CDW-G), a wholly owned subsidiary of CDW Corporation [NASDAQ: CDWC] and leading source of Information Technology (IT) solutions to governments and educators, today announced the findings of its Federal IT Executive Survey fielded at IPIC 2006, a key Federal IT conference. The results show the Federal IT agenda for 2006 spread over multiple priorities, with 24 percent of government IT executives citing information security as the top priority for 2006. Proving IT Return on Investment (ROI) and securing Federal IT budget dollars followed closely, tied at 18 percent, with Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) a close fourth at 15 percent.
Ninety-seven Federal government IT executives and 214 IT industry executives completed the 2006 survey. While information security remains the top priority, the 2006 results vary markedly from the 2005 survey, where 43 percent of respondents cited information security as the top priority for the year.
According to both government and industry survey respondents, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) remains the most important policy body in Federal IT. Sixty-eight percent of both government and industry attendees ranked OMB ahead of House and Senate oversight committees, as well as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO). In 2005, 59 percent of government survey ranked OMB at the top of the influence ladder.
Contracting issues also dominate Federal leaders' 2006 priorities, with 54 percent of responding government IT executives less likely to advocate purchasing from the General Services Administration this year than last. Thirty-four percent of Federal IT executives surveyed indicated that adding additional contracting vehicles would be the most effective way to improve government contracting in 2006. Asked the same question, just 18 percent of Federal IT industry executives indicated that more contracting vehicles would provide the most improvement.
At the same time, Federal IT executives are increasingly committed to meeting Federal telework requirements. Fifty-one percent of government survey respondents indicated that their agency has either started or expanded a telework program in the last year, echoing the findings of the 2006 CDW-G Federal Telework Report. Of interest, telework is increasing among industry participants as well, with 52 percent of responding industry IT executives reporting an initiation or expansion of a telework program in the last year.
"This year, while information security remains paramount, Federal IT leaders do not have the luxury of just focusing on one element of IT programs,” said Max Peterson, CDW-G vice president for Federal. “CDW-G's 2006 Federal IT Landscape Survey underscores that delivering fast, efficient and cost-effective government services to citizens requires a multi-dimensional approach."
Government IT executives also require speed and flexibility from their communications tools. When asked to what they would give up last, 73 percent of government attendees indicated that they would give up carbohydrates, desserts and even cable television before parting with either their Blackberry or high-speed Internet. Just 5 percent would remain committed to carbs if forced to pick them over a broadband connection.
About CDW-G
CDW Government, Inc. (CDW-G), a wholly owned subsidiary of CDW Corporation (NASDAQ: CDWC), a FORTUNE 500 company, is a trusted technology advisor and solutions provider to federal, state and local government agencies, as well as to educational institutions at all levels. CDW-G responds with a sense of urgency to customer technology needs, delivering best-in-class solutions from top-name brands such as APC, Apple, Cisco, HP, IBM, Microsoft, Sony, Symantec, Toshiba and ViewSonic. CDW-G focuses on building strong customer relationships with its knowledgeable account managers and technical specialists who provide extensive pre- and post-sales support.
For more information about CDW-G product offerings, procurement options, services and solutions, call 1.800.863.4239, or visit the CDW-G Web site at CDWG.com.
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