elliot markowitz

According to the Gartner report, IT spending is expected to rise more than 4 percent this year to $3.7 trillion from $3.6 trillion in 2012. Although part of this increase will be the result of gains from foreign currencies vs. the U.S. dollar, worldwide device spending–which includes PCs, tablets, mobile phones and printers–is expected to reach $666 billion in 2013, up 6.3 percent from 2012. Gartner ratcheted down these numbers because of price erosion and lower PC shipments, but all-in-all the spending spells enormous opportunity for solution providers. Telecom services, enterprise applications and storage also will be strong growth areas.

But while organizations are stalling hiring and delaying capital expenditures, they cannot ignore the efficiencies gained through mobile technology and communications. Giving employees access to more systems, applications and data creates more a productive and streamlined workplace. To no one’s surprise, this year’s CES emphasizes this.

The show is just wrapping up and nearly every notable announcement revolved around mobile technology. I propose that next year the show’s organizers should consider renaming the event the Mobile Electronics Show, but “MES” probably won’t fly.

Sure, there were new storage solutions unveiled from cloud to flash to network, and there were innovative and more technologically advanced home appliances, not to mention who has the biggest flat-screen TV stand-off. But let’s face it, CES was all about notebooks, ultrabooks, laptops, tablets and mobile device advancements.

Here is just a brief snapshot. It’s by no means comprehensive but gives you an idea of the show’s emphasis:

There also were more tablets than anyone can physically count: You got the Asus Transformer All-in-One P1801, Lenovo’s  Horizon, the Vivitar XO Learning Tablet, Microsoft Surface Pro, Razer’s Edge, Archos’ FamilyPad and a GamePad, Panasonic’s Toughpad , the RCA Mobile TV Tablet, the Polaroid M7 and M10, and on and on and on.

Now if only half of these devices are still around in a year from now I will be impressed, but solution providers nonetheless should be excited. The business climate may be rough for the foreseeable future, but there is no holding back technology and the channel will be needed every step of the way.

Knock em alive!