By the Numbers: March 2004

How to Get Your Money’s Worth

Fewer than half of U.S. and Canadian companies have written technology plans, and even fewer believe their plans are in line with the goals of their business leaders, according to a study from the professional group Financial Executives International and Computer Sciences Corp. Yet those who say they have both a plan and good alignment with business goals show a much higher rate of return on every dollar they invest in information technology, proving that it’s much easier to arrive at your destination if you know before leaving where exactly you’re headed.

Wages Rebound

For the second consecutive year, demand for skilled information-technology workers and the wages they can demand have gone up, and at an increasing rate. Wages in June 2003 were up 1.5% compared to the previous June, but by December the comparable year-over-year increase had steepened to 4%, according to The Yoh Index of Technology Wages. The hottest skills in 2004 are wireless networking, security and Windows administration, though less-trendy jobs such as help-desk specialist and project manager are also in the top five. At the bottom of the list, surprisingly, are Web developer and process designer, as well as mainframe analyst and systems administrator.

Wi-Fi Works, and Works and Works

The number of people connecting to the Internet and corporate networks via hotspots in airports, coffee bars and other places will more than triple this year, says Gartner Inc. The research firm predicts companies that buy service contracts from hotspot providers will average 30 minutes a day of extra productivity from knowledge workers and will avoid paying the higher ad hoc connection fees.