Research Perspectives: How IT Pros Buy Products Survey

Question Title

* 1. When purchasing IT products, equipment, and services, does your company solicit bids first?

Yes, always

Depends on the purchase amount

Depends on the type of purchase

No, never

It's more complicated than that (please give a few details)

Question Title

* 2. In your company, how much influence does the IT organization have with the business leaders in making IT purchasing decisions?

Business leaders always accept the IT org's recommendations

Business leaders sometimes accept the IT org's recommendations

Business leaders always mandate specific brands or products

Business leaders sometimes mandate specific brands or products

It's more complicated than that (please give a few details)

Question Title

* 3. When your company's IT budget is tight, which products and services are MOST likely to be funded?

New versions of server or desktop OSs

New versions of email server and client software

New versions of line-of-business applications

Updated security products

Upgraded mobile devices

Client hardware (desktop or laptops)

Hosted services

Upgraded hardware

New or upgraded IT management software

New or upgraded development applications

New or upgraded disaster recovery software

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 4. When your company's IT budget is tight, which products and services are LEAST likely to be funded?

New versions of server or desktop OSs

New versions of email server and client software

New versions of line-of-business applications

Updated security products

Upgraded mobile devices

Client hardware (desktop or laptops)

Hosted services

Upgraded hardware

New or upgraded IT management software

New or upgraded development applications

New or upgraded disaster recovery software

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 5. How often does your company re-evaluate the following products or services for upgrade or purchase?

	About every 5 years	Every 3-4 years	Every 1-2 years	At least once a year
Server or desktop OSs	Server or desktop OSs About every 5 years	Server or desktop OSs Every 3-4 years	Server or desktop OSs Every 1-2 years	Server or desktop OSs At least once a year
Email server and client software	Email server and client software About every 5 years	Email server and client software Every 3-4 years	Email server and client software Every 1-2 years	Email server and client software At least once a year
Line-of-business applications	Line-of-business applications About every 5 years	Line-of-business applications Every 3-4 years	Line-of-business applications Every 1-2 years	Line-of-business applications At least once a year
Security products	Security products About every 5 years	Security products Every 3-4 years	Security products Every 1-2 years	Security products At least once a year
Mobile devices	Mobile devices About every 5 years	Mobile devices Every 3-4 years	Mobile devices Every 1-2 years	Mobile devices At least once a year
Client hardware (desktop or laptops)	Client hardware (desktop or laptops) About every 5 years	Client hardware (desktop or laptops) Every 3-4 years	Client hardware (desktop or laptops) Every 1-2 years	Client hardware (desktop or laptops) At least once a year
Hosted services	Hosted services About every 5 years	Hosted services Every 3-4 years	Hosted services Every 1-2 years	Hosted services At least once a year
Server hardware	Server hardware About every 5 years	Server hardware Every 3-4 years	Server hardware Every 1-2 years	Server hardware At least once a year
IT management software	IT management software About every 5 years	IT management software Every 3-4 years	IT management software Every 1-2 years	IT management software At least once a year
Development applications	Development applications About every 5 years	Development applications Every 3-4 years	Development applications Every 1-2 years	Development applications At least once a year
Disaster recovery software	Disaster recovery software About every 5 years	Disaster recovery software Every 3-4 years	Disaster recovery software Every 1-2 years	Disaster recovery software At least once a year

Any other comments about your re-evaluation process?

Question Title

* 6. In your company, which factor matters the most in the IT products and services selection process?

Short-term cost (impact on budget within next 12 months)

Long-term cost (impact on budget within next 3-5 years)

Previous experience with brand

Recommendations from other companies who have purchased brand

Recommendations from other IT organizations/staff members

Reviews in IT industry publications

Other (please specify)

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* 7. What is your involvement in purchasing IT products at your company?

I approve/authorize purchases

I specify/recommend brands/suppliers

I determine need

I am involved in some other way

I am not involved

Question Title

* 8. What is your job title (choose the answer that fits the best)?

IT Manager (CIO/CTO/other IT management)

IT Administrator (systems, network, database, messaging administrator)

Developer (Web, application, or database)

IT Staff Member (technical support, systems analyst)

Consultant/integrator

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 9. About how many people are employed by your organization (at all locations)?

50,000 or more

25,000-49,999

10,000-24,999

5,000-9,999

2,500-4,999

1,000-2,499

500-999

1-499

Question Title

* 10. Thanks so much for responding to this survey! You'll see the results in a future Windows IT Pro Perspectives column. If you'd like your name to be entered in a drawing for a $25 American Express gift certificate, please provide your email address below.