Computer services monitor: second quarter of 2007

12/10/2007 15:00

Turnover of computer service companies was higher again in the second quarter of 2007. It is the sixth quarter in a row with a turnover increase of more than 10 percent. The demand for personnel is also on the increase again, after a slight dip in the first quarter. The sentiment among computer service companies is very optimistic. Companies also are very optimistic in their expectations for the third quarter of 2007.

Turnover higher again

The computer branch ended the second quarter with a 12.6 percent increase in turnover. The increase is slightly lower than in the preceding quarter, nevertheless the demand for IT services remains very high. Turnover increased by 13 percent over the first six months of this year. This means the computer branch is outperforming business services as a whole. In the first half year of 2007 computer service companies realised the highest growth rates of business service providers, together with the temp agencies.

Year-on-year turnover changes

Demand for new personnel

After a slight decrease in the first quarter, the number of new vacancies in the second quarter equals that of the same quarter of 2006. In total there were 8 thousand new vacancies. The computer service companies find it harder and harder to recruit suitable personnel. Therefore the number of open vacancies increased further to 9 400 in the second quarter. Except for the previous quarter, the number of open vacancies has been over 9 thousand ever since the beginning of 2006. The continued scarcity on the labour market may negatively influence the increase of turnover. At the moment that is not the case.

Number of new and filled vacancies

More orders, positive opinions

According to the Business Sentiment Survey, companies in this branch received a lot more orders in the second quarter of 2007 than in the first quarter. Their opinion on orders received is therefore positive. Selling prices and personnel numbers have also increased. Opinions on the current economic climate are very positive. The opinions in the computer branch match the opinions in business services as a whole very well.

Opinions on orders received and economic climate

Higher prices and turnover expected

Companies are optimistic about the third quarter. They anticipate more orders; however the number of companies doing so is lower than last quarter. Since higher selling prices are expected, turnover is also expected to rise. On balance, 46 percent of the companies expect to hire more personnel.