This is the inaugural annual survey by TECNA, a non-profit trade association of regional technology organizations which serves as a leading voice in growing the North American technology economy, provides current and future technology trends locally, regionally and nationally. The survey was conducted in partnership with CompTIA, the non-profit association for the IT industry.

1. November, 2012
© 2012 Technology Councils of North America. All rights reserved.
www.technologycouncils.org
National Survey of Technology,
Policy and Strategic Issues

2. Research Methodology and Background

3. About TECNA | CompTIA | TechVoice
About TECNA
The Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) represents almost 50 IT and Technology trade
organizations who, in turn, represent more than 16,000 technology-related companies in North
America. TECNA serves its members and the industry through its strong peer-to-peer network and its
regional initiatives to raise the visibility and viability of the technology industry.
About CompTIA
CompTIA is the voice of the world’s information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the
companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits
organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry
growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional
certifications, and public policy advocacy.
About TechVoice
TechVoice is a newly-formed partnership of the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), the
Technology Councils of North America (TECNA), and participating regional technology associations.
Collectively, we represent thousands of technology companies across the country employing millions of
workers. We are dedicated to empowering and mobilizing the grassroots tech community to impact
legislative and regulatory issues important to growth, innovation and job creation.

4. About This Research
The data for this quantitative study was collected via an online survey conducted during October 2012. A total
of 1,082 senior (C-level) U.S. IT and business executives belonging to one of the regional technology
associations affiliated with the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) participated in the survey.
The margin of sampling error at the 95% confidence level for the overall results is +/- 3.0 percentage points.
Sampling error is larger for subgroups of the data.
As with any survey, sampling error is only one source of possible error. While non-sampling error cannot be
accurately calculated, precautionary steps were taken in all phases of the survey design, collection and
processing of the data to minimize its influence.
The study was conducted in conjunction with the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).
CompTIA is a member of the Marketing Research Association (MRA) and conforms to its guidelines for survey
best practices and research ethics. Any questions about the research methodology or data collection can be
directed to research@comptia.org.

5. Profile of Survey Respondents
Industry Sector
Number of Employees
43%
34%
15%
18%
15%
3%
15%
9%
6%
6%
6%
5%
4%
4%
3%
2%
1%
1%
0%
Information technology (IT) or
telecommunications
Professional services (non IT)
Healthcare/Medical
Financial/Banking/Insurance
Media/Publishing/Entertainment
Education
Advanced manufacturing (non IT sector)
Life sciences
Environmental or energy technology
Retail/Wholesale
Government (federal, state, local)
AMTUC (Agriculture, Mining, Transportation,
Utilities, Construction)
Hospitality/Food/Beverage
Less than 10
10 to 24
25 to 99
100 to 499
500 to 999
1,000 or more employees
Job Level
100%
C-Level or Higher or
Equivalent
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,082 senior U.S. technology and business executives

6. Geographic Segmentation Categories
This report contains a number comparisons among geographic regions. The following
groupings are based on standard U.S. Census Bureau categorizations.
Northeast (n=267)







Connecticut Technology Council
Mass Technology Leadership Council (MassTLC)
New Hampshire High Tech Council
New Jersey Technology Council
New York Technology Council
Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies
Pittsburgh Technology Council
Midwest (n=279)





Illinois Technology Association (ITA)
Northeast Ohio Software Association
Minnesota High Tech Association
Technology Association of Iowa
Wisconsin Technology Council
South (n=234)






Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED)
Louisiana Technology Council
Metroplex Technology Business Council (MTBC)
North Carolina Technology Association
Northern Virginia Technology Council
Technology Association of Georgia
West (n=298)




Arizona Technology Council
Technology Association of Oregon
Utah Technology Council
Washington Technology Industry Association

7. Section 1: Business Sentiment

8. Business Sentiment Expected to Improve
Modestly Over the Next Six Months
Rating on a 100-point scale | 100=highest | 0=Lowest
62.1
64.9
66.4
71.6
52.9
46.3
Rating Today
Projected Rating
U.S. Economy
Rating
Tech Sector
Rating
My Company
Rating
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,079 senior U.S. technology and business executives

9. Business Sentiment Segmentation:
Industry Sector Ratings
Rating on a 100-point scale | 100=highest | 0=Lowest
68
64
58
62
65 65
Information
Technology
Sector
47 46 45
Other Tech
Sectors
Other Sectors
U.S. Economy Rating Sector RatingCompany Rating
Tech
My
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,079 senior U.S. technology and business executives

10. Business Sentiment Segmentation:
Regional Ratings
Rating on a 100-point scale | 100=highest | 0=Lowest
63
61 62 61
66 67 68
64
Northeast
Midwest
46 46 46 47
South
West
U.S. Economy Rating Sector Rating Company Rating
Tech
My
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,079 senior U.S. technology and business executives

11. Business Sentiment Segmentation:
Company Size Ratings Ratings
Rating on a 100-point scale | 100=highest | 0=Lowest
61 63 63 62
69 70 68
62
Micro Firm
<10 employees
45 47 47 46
Small Firm
10-99 employees
Medium Firm
99-100 employees
Large Firm
500+ employees
U.S. Economy Rating Sector Rating Company Rating
Tech
My
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,079 senior U.S. technology and business executives

12. Many Businesses Plan to Increase Investments
Timeframe: over next 6 months
Planning
Decreases
No Change
Expected
Planning
Increases
Staffing levels in technical positions 5%
38%
57%
Investments in new products or business lines 6%
36%
59%
Marketing/advertising expenditures
8%
39%
53%
Technology expenditures 6%
42%
52%
42%
51%
Staffing levels in non-technical positions
8%
Staff training or professional development 6%
52%
Business travel
11%
Capital expenditures (e.g. non technology)
10%
57%
7%
66%
Cost cutting
48%
42%
41%
33%
27%
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,077 senior U.S. technology and business executives

13. Business Investment Segmentation:
Industry Sector Ratings
Percent indicating a planned increase in investment over next 6 months
Information Tech Sector
Other Tech Sectors
Other Sectors
69%
Staffing levels in technical positions
54%
47%
62%
60%
55%
Investments in new products
or business lines
56%
Staffing levels in non-technical positions
42%
48%
57%
Marketing/advertising expenditures
45%
52%
Technology expenditures
53%
52%
52%
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,077 senior U.S. technology and business executives

14. Business Investment Segmentation:
Region and Company Size Ratings
Percent indicating a planned increase in investment over next 6 months
Planned Increase
North
Midwest
South
West
Staffing levels in technical positions
59%
56%
54%
59%
Investments in new products or business lines
59%
58%
53%
64%
Marketing/advertising expenditures
57%
52%
48%
56%
Technology expenditures
53%
55%
46%
54%
Staffing levels in non-technical positions
51%
49%
47%
55%
Micro Firms
Small Firms
Medium Firms
Large Firms
Staffing levels in technical positions
49%
68%
64%
47%
Investments in new products or business lines
54%
63%
65%
54%
Marketing/advertising expenditures
62%
61%
44%
30%
Technology expenditures
51%
56%
55%
44%
Staffing levels in non-technical positions
50%
60%
55%
32%
Planned Increase
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,077 senior U.S. technology and business executives

15. Executives Express a Range of Concerns
Over Threats to Growth at Their Business
Timeframe: over next 6 months
Stalled recovery
54%
General lack of confidence/paralysis
47%
Unexpected shock (e.g. spike in oil price, etc.)
36%
Access to credit/capital
36%
Government regulation
36%
Labor prices/availability of talent
31%
Weak corporate demand
32%
Weak consumer demand
22%
Lower margins
22%
Domestic competition
19%
Disruptive technologies or business models
16%
Overseas competition
13%
Stock market volatility
12%
Input/commodity price inflation
5%
Weak export market
4%
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,078 senior U.S. technology and business executives

16. Section 2: Policy Positions

17. Support for Tech Policy Initiatives
Rating
Policy Proposal that May Impact Tech Sector Innovation and Growth
58%
Doing more to expand access to capital for startup and high growth companies
49%
Doing more to advance STEM education at the K-12 level
47%
Achieving a simplified personal and corporate tax structure, including closing corporate
tax loopholes
44%
Making the research and development (R&D) tax credit permanent
42%
Placing career, technical and vocational education on par with traditional degree
programs to help expand pool of trained tech workers
34%
Expanding visa categories and H1B caps to keep foreign nationals with advanced STEM
skills in the U.S
24%
Advancing a pro-trade agenda to expand U.S. exports of technology products
21%
Creating more incentives to build out the broadband infrastructure
21%
Expanding incentives and easing regulations for commercialization of academic or
government applications
17%
Making more spectrum available for creation of new wireless applications
16%
Tax holiday for the repatriation of profits from overseas by U.S. tech companies
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,056 senior U.S. technology and business executives

18. Policy Perceptions Segmentation:
Regional Ratings
Policy Proposal
North
Midwest
South
West
Doing more to expand access to capital for startup and high growth
companies
65%
57%
55%
54%
Doing more to advance STEM education at the K-12 level
42%
52%
50%
52%
Achieving a simplified personal and corporate tax structure, including
closing corporate tax loopholes
43%
49%
46%
50%
Making the research and development (R&D) tax credit permanent
48%
43%
37%
46%
Placing career, technical and vocational education on par with
traditional degree programs to help expand pool of trained tech workers
38%
44%
39%
46%
32%
31%
35%
38%
24%
21%
24%
26%
20%
21%
20%
23%
19%
25%
22%
19%
16%
17%
17%
16%
14%
14%
20%
17%
Expanding visa categories and H1B caps to keep foreign nationals with
advanced STEM skills in the U.S
Advancing a pro-trade agenda to expand U.S. exports of technology
products
Expanding incentives and easing regulations for commercialization of
academic or government applications
Creating more incentives to build out the broadband infrastructure
Making more spectrum available for creation of new wireless
applications
Tax holiday for the repatriation of profits from overseas by U.S. tech
companies
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,053 senior U.S. technology and business executives

19. Rating of Preference for Degree of
Government Involvement in Promoting
Innovation and Growth in the Tech Sector
40%
21%
A NET 65%
prefer a
moderate to
high level of
government
involvement
19%
14%
6%
Very Low
Level of
Involvement
Low
Level
High
Moderate
Level
Level of
Government
Involvement
Very High
Level of
Involvement
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,054 senior U.S. technology and business executives

20. Preference for Government Involvement
Segmentation: Regional Ratings
Preference for level of government involvement in promoting innovation and growth in the tech sector
43%
41%
37%
32%
29%
38%
40% 41%
Northeast
Midwest
30%
South
27%
21%
West
18%
NET Low Government Involvement
Moderate Government Involvement
NET High Government Involvement
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,051 senior U.S. technology and business executives

21. Preference for Government Involvement
Segmentation: Rating of Economy
Preference for level of government involvement in promoting innovation and growth in the tech sector
NET Negative
View of U.S.
Economy
48%
45% 45%
34%
33%
29%
26%
NET Lukewarm
View of U.S.
Economy
21%
18%
NET Positive
View of U.S.
Economy
NET Low Government Involvement
Moderate Government Involvement
NET High Government Involvement
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,053 senior U.S. technology and business executives

22. Policy Perceptions Segmentation:
Preference for Government Involvement
Policy Proposal that May Impact the Tech Sector
Level of Government Involvement in
Supporting/Promoting Tech Sector
High or
Moderate
Low or
Very High
Level of
Very Low
Involvement Involvement Involvement
Doing more to expand access to capital for startup and high growth companies
67%
59%
51%
Doing more to advance STEM education at the K-12 level
53%
56%
39%
Achieving a simplified personal and corporate tax structure, including closing
corporate tax loopholes
37%
47%
55%
Making the research and development (R&D) tax credit permanent
51%
41%
43%
Placing career, technical and vocational education on par with traditional
degree programs to help expand pool of trained tech workers
44%
44%
39%
Expanding visa categories and H1B caps to keep foreign nationals with
advanced STEM skills in the U.S
42%
37%
25%
Advancing a pro-trade agenda to expand U.S. exports of technology products
23%
24%
25%
Expanding incentives and easing regulations for commercialization of academic
or government applications
29%
17%
20%
Creating more incentives to build out the broadband infrastructure
26%
22%
17%
Making more spectrum available for creation of new wireless applications
21%
14%
16%
Tax holiday for the repatriation of profits from overseas by U.S. tech companies
13%
14%
20%

23. Policy Perceptions: Additional Notes
Doing more to expand access to capital for startup and high growth companies
- Rated most important to micro-size firms (72%) and small firms (60%)
Achieving a simplified personal and corporate tax structure, including closing corporate
tax loopholes
- Rated most important to small firms (51%), micro-size firms (48%) and medium-size firms (47%)
Doing more to advance STEM education at the K-12 level
- Rated most important to large firms (63%)
Placing career, technical and vocational education on par with traditional degree
programs to help expand pool of trained tech workers
- Rated most important to large firms (45%)

24. Rating of How State/Local Government
Represented the Interests of the Tech Sector
Timeframe: during past two years
39%
A NET 37% rated
state/local
government as
representing the
interests of the
tech sector well
30%
18%
7%
Represented Poor
Tech Interests
Very Poorly
7%
Just
Okay
Well
Represented
Tech Interests
Very Well
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,046 senior U.S. technology and business executives

25. How State/Local Government Represented the
Interests of the Tech Sector
Segmentation: Regional Ratings
43%
42%
36%
35%
40%
36%
38%
Northeast
31%
Midwest
30%
South
27%
22%
NET Well
Just Okay
20%
West
NET Poor
Timeframe: during past two years
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,043 senior U.S. technology and business executives

26. How State/Local Government Represented the
Interests of the Tech Sector Segmentation:
Tech Sector Performance Ratings
52%
Believe Tech Sector
Performing At or
Above Potential
41%
35%
31%
29%
Believe Tech
Under-Performing
Potential
13%
NET Well
Just Okay
NET Poor
Timeframe: during past two years
Source: TECNA
Base: 974 senior U.S. technology and business executives

27. Rating of How Federal Government
Represented the Interests of the Tech Sector
Timeframe: during past two years
37%
A NET 19% rated
the federal
government as
representing the
interests of the
tech sector well
29%
15%
17%
2%
Represented Poorly Represented Well Represented
Tech Interests
Tech Interests
Tech Interests
Very Poorly
Just Okay
Very Well
Source: TECNA
Base: 512 senior U.S. technology and business executives

28. Most Executives Recommend Their State/Region
as a Good Environment for Tech Startups
Definitely recommend
32%
Probably recommend
31%
May or may not recommend
21%
Probably do not recommend
Definitely do not recommend
13%
3%
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,048 senior U.S. technology and business executives

29. Most Executives See a Shortage of Tech Talent
Significant shortage in terms of the
quantity and quality of tech talent
22%
Moderate shortage
50%
Equilibrium, supply roughly
equals demand
Moderate surplus
Significant surplus in terms of
quantity and quality of tech talent
16%
10%
2%
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,049 senior U.S. technology and business executives

30. Tech Talent Availability Segmentation:
Industry Sector Ratings
Rating of degree to which there is a shortage of quantity and quality of tech talent in respondent’s state/region
75%
52%
50%
72%
56%
40%
Information
Technology
Sector
Other Tech
Sectors
25%
20%
Other Sectors
16%
Significant
shortage
Moderate
shortage
NET shortage
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,045 senior U.S. technology and business executives

31. Tech Talent Availability Segmentation:
Regional Ratings
73%
76%
68% 69%
Northeast
59%
47% 48%
Midwest
46%
South
West
30%
21% 21%
14%
Significant
shortage
Moderate
shortage
NET shortage
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,046 senior U.S. technology and business executives

32. Most Executives Believe the Tech Sector in Their
State/Region Is Not Reaching Its Potential
Believe Tech Sector in state/region
out-performing its potential
Don’t know
7%
3%
25%
Believe Tech Sector
in state/region
under-performing
its potential
Believe Tech
Sector in
state/region
performing at its
potential
66%
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,045 senior U.S. technology and business executives

33. Assessment of Tech Sector Potential
Segmentation: Company Size Ratings
Rating of the respondent’s belief of the degree to which the tech sector
in respondent’s state/region is reaching its potential, or not
70% 70%
61%
56%
Micro Firm
<10 employees
Small Firm
10-99 employees
33% 34%
Medium Firm
99-100 employees
19% 21%
Large Firm
500+ employees
3% 1% 1% 4%
Out-performing
its potential
Performing at
Under-performing
about its potential
its potential
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,046 senior U.S. technology and business executives

34. Policy Perceptions Segmentation:
Preference for Government Involvement
Policy Proposal that May Impact the Tech Sector
Level of Government Involvement in
Supporting/Promoting Tech Sector
High or
Moderate
Low or
Very High
Level of
Very Low
Involvement Involvement Involvement
Doing more to expand access to capital for startup and high growth companies
67%
59%
51%
Doing more to advance STEM education at the K-12 level
53%
56%
39%
Achieving a simplified personal and corporate tax structure, including closing
corporate tax loopholes
37%
47%
55%
Making the research and development (R&D) tax credit permanent
51%
41%
43%
Placing career, technical and vocational education on par with traditional
degree programs to help expand pool of trained tech workers
44%
44%
39%
Expanding visa categories and H1B caps to keep foreign nationals with
advanced STEM skills in the U.S
42%
37%
25%
Advancing a pro-trade agenda to expand U.S. exports of technology products
23%
24%
25%
Expanding incentives and easing regulations for commercialization of academic
or government applications
29%
17%
20%
Creating more incentives to build out the broadband infrastructure
26%
22%
17%
Making more spectrum available for creation of new wireless applications
21%
14%
16%
Tax holiday for the repatriation of profits from overseas by U.S. tech companies
13%
14%
20%

35. Section 3: Technology Trends

36. Ranking of Growth Potential for
Segments Within the Tech Sector
Information technology (IT),
including telecom
44%
37%
34%
35%
Life sciences or healthcare technology
9%
10%
Advanced manufacturing
Environmental or energy technology
Defense / military technology
Importance to
State/Region Today
7%
13%
5%
3%
Change in Importance
Over Next 2 Years
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,042 senior U.S. technology and business executives

37. Growth Potential Areas Within Tech Sector
Segmentation: Region and Sector Ratings
Sector within Tech
North
Midwest
South
West
Information technology or telecommunications
30%
33%
57%
57%
Life sciences or healthcare technology
45%
46%
27%
19%
Advanced manufacturing
11%
13%
3%
8%
Environmental or energy technology
7%
6%
6%
9%
Defense / military technology
6%
1%
6%
7%
Info Tech
Sector
Other Tech
Sectors
Other
Sectors
Information technology or telecommunications
57%
18%
38%
Life sciences or healthcare technology
28%
42%
38%
Advanced manufacturing
6%
18%
9%
Environmental or energy technology
5%
14%
7%
Defense / military technology
4%
7%
6%
Sector within Tech
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,042 senior U.S. technology and business executives

38. Assessment of Technologies as Contributors to
Growth in State/Region Over Next Two Years
64%
Big Data analytics, data mining and business intelligence
59%
Mobile apps development
59%
Cloud-based software development (SaaS)
59%
Healthcare tech
48%
Everything-as-a-service (e.g. managed help desk, networks, communications, security, etc.)
42%
Wireless services
39%
E-commerce or mobile commerce
38%
Cloud implementation, integration or consulting services
37%
Green tech
36%
Mobile implementation, integration or consulting services
35%
Mobile device development (Tablets, smartphones, accessories)
34%
Biotech
33%
Business process automation
31%
Social solutions and technologies
30%
Big Data storage and management
29%
Cloud data centers
29%
Enterprise collaboration (Video conferencing, collaboration tools)
26%
Data visualization
24%
Location-based services and technologies
23%
Aggregation/Orchestration (bringing multiple service providers into a single point of contact)
17%
Machine-to-machine learning or interaction
14%
Defense tech
9%
Telecom equipment

39. Rating of Technology Growth Drivers
Micro-Size Firms Top 5
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Healthcare tech
Mobile apps development
Big Data analytics, data mining and business intelligence
Cloud-based software development (SaaS)
Everything-as-a-service (e.g. managed help desk, networks, communications, security, etc.)
Small Firms Top 5
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Cloud-based software development (SaaS)
Big Data analytics, data mining and business intelligence
Mobile apps development
Healthcare tech
Everything-as-a-service (e.g. managed help desk, networks, communications, security, etc.)
Medium-Size Firms Top 5
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Big Data analytics, data mining and business intelligence
Mobile apps development
Healthcare tech
Cloud-based software development (SaaS)
Everything-as-a-service (e.g. managed help desk, networks, communications, security, etc.)
Large Firms Top 5
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Big Data analytics, data mining and business intelligence
Healthcare tech
Cloud-based software development (SaaS)
Mobile apps development
Everything-as-a-service (e.g. managed help desk, networks, communications, security, etc.)

40. Rating of Technology Growth Drivers
Northeast Top 5
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Healthcare tech
Big Data analytics, data mining and business intelligence
Mobile apps development
Cloud-based software development (SaaS)
Everything-as-a-service (e.g. managed help desk, networks, communications, security, etc.)
Midwest Top 5
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Big Data analytics, data mining and business intelligence
Cloud-based software development (SaaS)
Healthcare tech
Mobile apps development
Wireless services
South Top 5
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Big Data analytics, data mining and business intelligence
Healthcare tech
Mobile apps development
Cloud-based software development (SaaS)
Everything-as-a-service (e.g. managed help desk, networks, communications, security, etc.)
West Top 5
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Big Data analytics, data mining and business intelligence
Mobile apps development
Cloud-based software development (SaaS)
Healthcare tech
Everything-as-a-service (e.g. managed help desk, networks, communications, security, etc.)