Investment in technical software continues cautiously worldwide - strongest in Asia

Cambridge, UK – March 8, 2010 – Latest research into engineering and enterprise IT applications from market research and analysis firm, Cambashi, shows a recovery of spending on technical applications software.

This covers AEC (architecture, engineering & construction), geospatial (GIS) and manufacturing (CAD/CAM/CAE and PDM/PLM) applications.

Mike Evans, director of research at Cambashi, states, “Recovery is visible in the figures but growth in years 2010 and 2011 is likely to be muted as reality hits and caution is the order of the day.”

Asia Pacific Region Strongest

Early in 2009, Cambashi figures predicted a V-shaped recovery with the strongest expectations of early recovery in the Asia - Pacific (APAC) region.

The latest view from the Cambashi Country Observatory 2010 model shows the growth in technical applications software spending is following that prediction, with the Asia - Pacific region showing best 2010 growth at close to 5%.

Americas Buoyant, Cautious

Government-backed recovery and stimulus packages in the U.S. and elsewhere have driven investment in major infrastructure projects, which in turn require significant design activity supported by technical software applications.

This may account for improved performance over the 2009 predictions for the Americas. In Q1 2009, the Cambashi Country Observatory indicated that the U.S. would have a slow recovery, and growth in spending on technical applications in 2010 would still be negative.

In the Q1 2010 model, a 1% growth is predicted for the Americas in 2010, which is a definite change for the better.

Europe Slowest To Emerge

In 2010, European investment in technical applications is expected to decline slightly. In most countries Cambashi expects growth. However, in the Euro zone the total is held back by continuing declining investment in the ‘PIIGS’ – Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain.

In wider Europe – and discounting Iceland which still struggles to emerge from double digit decline – the UK and Russia show the next lowest growth. This surely puts in question Russia’s position as a dominant figure in the so-called BRIC emerging nations.

These results are available in the latest version of the Cambashi Country Observatory, which uses Cambashi’s market models to estimate market size and growth for over 50 countries worldwide.

Cambashi, based in Massachusetts USA and Cambridge UK, provides independent research and analysis of the business reasons for use of IT in industry, worldwide.  For additional information, visit www.cambashi.com.