Growth in the InfoTech sector picked up considerably in 2004-2005, as the global economy rebounded from the recession of the early 2000s and organizations increased IT budgets in order to purchase new systems, software and services. Growth slowed to about 6% in 2006, and most analysts were forecasting a 5% to 6% global growth rate in 2007. For 2008, fears of a global economic slowdown will dampen hardware and software sector growth. Nonetheless, sales through 2007 were strong for such items as notebook computers (a sector in which prices have dropped dramatically), along with advanced, Internet-enabled cell phones with color screens, electronic game players, MP3 music players, digital cameras, servers and many other types of advanced consumer and business electronics. According to the most recent report from Plunkett Research, Ltd., the hottest, most important trends of the InfoTech industry are:

1) MIMO (802.11n) Is the High-Speed Wireless Wave of the Near Future.

The latest leap in Wi-Fi technology is 802.11n (Multiple Input Multiple Output antenna technology—also known as “MIMO”). Its high speed means that MIMO could compete with traditional LANs, offering a true wireless alternative to wired local area networks in the office environment.

2) WiMAX Extends Far Beyond Wi-Fi.

A newer standard known as Worldwide interoperability for Microwave Access, or WiMAX (802.16), is adding considerable fuel to the wireless fire. WiMAX has the capability to deliver extremely fast Internet connections to wireless devices, such as notebooks and mobile VoIP telephones, with each WiMAX antenna having about a 30-mile broadcast range.

3) Nanotechnology Holds the Key to the Ultra-dense Digital Memory of the Future.

“Universal memory” is a new phrase used to describe future-generation digital memory storage systems that would be ultra-dense and run on extremely low power needs. The technology is based on the use of vast numbers of tiny carbon nanotubes or nanowires, resulting in the storage of trillions of bits of data per square centimeter.

To find out more about these exciting trends and more, check out Plunkett’s InfoTech Industry Almanac 2008, just released, or go to www.plunkettresearch.com and sign up for a subscription Plunkett’s completely up-to-date online database!

About Plunkett Research, Ltd.
Plunkett Research, Ltd. is a leading publisher of complete business research and analysis resources, designed to enable professionals in marketing, research and finance to access complete trends analysis, statistics, technology analysis and financial analysis of the world’s most exciting industries. For more information, visit www.plunkettresearch.com, or call 713.932.0000.