SAN FRANCISCO -
Despite a modest improvement over January, CIO spending expectations are
dropping from last year, according to the latest poll of the nation's tech leaders.
For the third straight month,
large enterprises reduced spending expectations to 2% growth for the year.
Deutsche Bank, in a research note today, said growth rates for most major
technology product areas will slow in 2005. DB forecasts IT spending will grow
4 to 5% this year, down one point from 2004.
Small companies - those with
less than 100 employees - see higher IT spending. CIOs at these firms predict 8.7%
growth this year. The largest companies (more than 5000 workers) are the most
cautious, forecasting 2.2% growth.
Security is the top priority, with storage a close second.
LAGUNA, PHILIPPINES - Electronics
manufacturing services provider IMI has
achieved registration to the ISO/TS 16949:2002 quality standard, the highest
international quality standard for the automotive industry. The company said it
will increase its pursuit of automotive business.
In a press release, president and CEO Arthur R. Tan said, "Our ISO/TS
16949 certification ... improves our competitiveness in the automotive electronics
market segment, which is anticipated by analysts to offer tremendous outsourcing
opportunities in the coming years."
"The road has been paved for our increased presence in the automotive
market and expanded business with our existing automotive electronics OEM
customers."
IMI was certified in 2000 to QS 9000, the American automotive industry's
quality standard.
ISO/TS
16949 is an international quality management system certification that
harmonizes existing American, German, French, and Italian automotive standards
into a single standard, eliminating the need for multiple certifications. It
was developed by the International Automotive Task Force, which represents
major automotive manufacturers in the world, in collaboration with the
International Standards Organization.