Market Report, "Colombia Information Technology Report Q2 2014", published

There was a marked uptick in data centre construction and expansion in 2013 in Latin America, and global powerhouses such as Google and IBM have already made moves into Colombia. However, the country scores poorly in our Risk/Reward Ratings for the quarter, coming in at eighth out of nine markets in the Americas region. We forecast total IT spending to reach COP6.8trn in 2014. With its established, mature market, the Colombian IT market is held back by the weakened peso and continuing political challenges facing the government.

Headline Expenditure Projections

* Computer Hardware Sales: COP3.3trn in 2014, rising to COP4.9trn by 2018. Low PC penetration and declining cost of devices mean sales to first-time buyers and in the upgrade/replacement market are expected to grow, with tablets expected to see the fastest sales growth.
* Software Sales: COP1.1trn in 2014 to COP1.7trn by 2018. Government incentives for local software will boost the sector, and we expect the greatest demand from end-users to remain in basic solutions, such as enterprise risk management and supply chain management systems.
* IT Services Sales: COP2.4trn in 2014 to COP3.7trn in 2018. Colombia is developing as a destination for near shore outsourcing, while public investments in areas such as e-health, e-education and e-government offer strong growth prospects.

Full Report Details at
- http://www.fastmr.com/prod/782497_colombia_information_technology_report_q2_2014.aspx?afid=301

Key Trends And Developments

In February 2014 the government revealed it will have invested a total of COP268bn (US$131mn) in technology in the central southern region of the country between August 2010 and the end of President Juan Manuel Santos' current administration later in 2014, reports BNamericas. To date, the current government has invested COP101bn in technology in the region. These investments were made in fibre optic infrastructure, public internet centres, subsidies for low income families to gain access to broadband services, connecting educational institutions, providing computers and tablets to children, and providing capital funding for applications developers in the region.

In December 2013 the government and US-based technology company Microsoft reached a partnership agreement for three areas: cyber security, education and innovation. The government's fight against organised crime, child pornography and identity theft through multiple programmes, including cybercrime centre, cyber-threat intelligence programme, security cooperation programme, will be supported by Microsoft. It will also support the ICT training of participants in the country's Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje (SENA) initiative. Microsoft and the IT ministry will create joint information exchange activities in order to give updates to the government on the prevention of cyber crime and cyber security.

About Fast Market Research

Fast Market Research is a leading distributor of market research and business information. Representing the world's top research publishers and analysts, we provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available. Our unbiased, expert staff is always available to help you find the right research to fit your requirements and your budget.

For more information about these or related research reports, please visit our website at http://www.fastmr.com or call us at 1.800.844.8156.

You may also be interested in these related reports:

- Colombia Information Technology Report Q1 2014
- Slovenia Information Technology Report Q2 2014
- South Africa Information Technology Report Q2 2014
- Czech Republic Information Technology Report Q2 2014
- Hungary Information Technology Report Q2 2014