New CompTIA Research on Convergence Technologies, Managed Services Will Be Unveiled at Breakaway 2007

Business Wire, July 2, 2007

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. -- Two new major research projects on significant trends in the information technology (IT) industry will be presented when the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) hosts Breakaway 2007, its annual member conference.

Breakaway, the IT industry's premiere partnering and educational event, is scheduled for July 31 through August 2 at the Mirage Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.

"Research that identifies new business opportunities in the IT industry is a hallmark of CompTIA conferences and events," said John Venator, president and chief executive officer, CompTIA. "The research that will be presented at Breakaway will provide our members with market-driven data that can help the help them deliver complete business solutions for their customers, and create new, profitable business models for themselves."

The trend toward managed services is transforming the technology market. A 2007 CompTIA survey of more than 320 organizations found that on average, they spent nearly $244,000 on managed services in the last year. The survey also revealed that many of these organizations intend to increase their managed services spend over the next year in areas such as security, storage, disaster recovery, and software as a service.

The new research to be presented at Breakaway will center on best practices and go-to-market strategies for solution providers looking to enter or expand their involvement in the managed services arena. The study will examine the factors that lead to success in delivering profitable services that are grounded in sustainable business models.

Also scheduled for unveiling at Breakaway 2007 is the Fifth Annual CompTIA Convergent Technologies Benchmarking Research Study. This year's study will focus on the latest trends on convergent technology usage among small and mid-sizes businesses in North America. It will include a detailed examination of the key purchasing drivers and value propositions among buyers of convergence solutions; as well as new data on specific applications and capabilities companies are looking for.

Convergence solutions such as voice-over-IP (VoIP) telephony, unified messaging and web conferencing continue to gain market share among organizations of all sizes and across multiple industries. Research by CompTIA and other industry sources indicates that organizations are aggressively deploying convergence solutions. Nearly one-third of the more than 350 small and medium-sized businesses surveyed last fall by CompTIA said they intended to buy new phone systems or make significant new investment in their current phone systems in the next 12 months. Forecasts and projections from other industry sources indicate similar high levels of interest by large enterprises in VoIP and other convergence solutions.

For more information on Breakaway 2007, visit http://breakaway.comptia.org/.> About CompTIA

In 2007, the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Just as the IT industry it serves has grown, CompTIA has also enjoyed remarkable growth over the past 25 years. The organization was founded by representatives of five micro-computer dealerships working together to find better ways to do business. Today, CompTIA has more than 22,000 member companies in over 100 countries around the world; and serves as the voice of the world's $1 trillion-plus IT industry. CompTIA is committed to advancing the long-term success and growth of the IT industry by helping organizations maximize the benefits they receive from their investments in technology; and by helping individuals to obtain the skills and credentials they need for productive careers in IT. For more information, please visit: www.comptia.org.