This study presents the findings from our 2006 Canadian Top Executive Survey, which investigated business strategies, the influence and impact of information technology (IT), investment plans related to IT, vendor perceptions, and reactions to the current market environment. The survey targeted the highest level of management within large companies and some crown corporations operating in Canada.

The ICT market continues to evolve, with more executives viewing ICT as an operational capability and not a competitive advantage. This may be a misguided notion given the need to drive better business performance, and it misses the opportunity to take advantage of ICT and differentiate your strategy from that of everyone else you compete with. "The opportunity to succeed in your business, whether you are a buyer or a provider of ICT, will depend on the determination to make your business strategy an ICT-enabled strategy," says Vito Mabrucco, managing director of IDC Canada.

Companies Mentioned: IBM Canada; Microsoft Canada; Bell Canada; CGI Group; SAP Canada; Oracle Corporation; Telus Corp.; Sun Microsystems; EDS Canada; HP Canada

• In This Study
  • Methodology
• Situation Overview
  • Survey Findings
    • IT Concerns and Influence
    • Figure: Top IT Concerns
    • Figure: Impact of IT on the Company
    • Figure: Reporting Structure for Head of IT
    • Figure: Department Expected to Contribute the Most to Business Performance
    • Figure: Staff Influence on IT Strategy by Group
    • IT Vendors
    • Figure: Area in Which IT Vendors Can Most Help Companies Increase ROI
    • Figure: Most Important Selection Criteria for IT Vendors
    • Figure: Leaders in Quality/Reliability
• Future Outlook
  • Budgets, Spending, and Priorities
    • Top Priorities for 2006
    • Figure: Organizational Problem with Top Priority in 2006
    • Figure: Main Area of IT Focus for 2006
    • 2006 Budgets
    • Figure: Expected Change in IT Operating Budget from 2005 to 2006
    • Figure: Expected Increase in IT Operating Budget for 2006
    • Figure: Expected Change in Capital IT Expenditure Budget from 2005 to 2006
    • Figure: Expected Increase in Capital IT Expenditure Budget for 2006
    • 2006 Outlook
    • Figure: Economic and Business Outlook Today and Six Months from Now
    • Figure: Effect of the Increased Value of the Canadian Dollar on Profits
• Essential Guidance
• Learn More
  • Related Research
  • Methodology
    • 2006 Top Executive Survey
    • Previous Top Executive Surveys
    • Demographics
    • Figure: Survey Respondents by Company Revenue
    • Figure: Survey Respondents by Industry Sector
    • Figure: Survey Respondents by Region
    • Figure: Survey Respondents by Company Size
  • Synopsis