This second 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. October, 2013
© 2013 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 September 2013. A total of
1,763 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. This includes primarily
U.S. based Councils, with a smaller degree of participation from Canadian Councils.
The margin of sampling error at the 95% confidence level for the overall results is +/- 2.4 percentage points.
Sampling error is larger for subgroups of the data, such as region or company size.
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), with data
collection support from Decipher, Inc.
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
47%
10%
5%
5%
5%
4%
4%
3%
2%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%
8%
Number of Employees
Information technology (IT) or telecommunications
29%
Professional services (non IT)
11%
Financial/Banking/Insurance
13%
Healthcare/Medical
9%
Education
15%
Life sciences
4%
Advanced manufacturing (non IT sector)
18%
Media/Publishing/Entertainment
Environmental or energy technology
Government (federal, state, local)
Retail/Wholesale
AMTUC (Agriculture, Mining, Transportation, Utilities, Construction)
Hospitality/Food/Beverage
Advanced materials
Other industry sector
Job
52%
24%
17%
2%
4%
Less than 10
10 to 19
20 to 49
50 to 99
100 to 499
500 to 999
1,000 or more employees
Level
CEO, President, Owner, etc.
Executive - CIO, CTO, CFO, CMO, COO, VP or equivalent
Management – Director, Team Leader or equivalent
Consultant
Other

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=460)
Midwest (n=275)











Connecticut Technology Council (CTC)
Greater Philadelphia Alliance for Capital & Technologies (PACT)
Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council (MLTC)
New Hampshire High Tech Council (NHHTC)
New Jersey Tech Council (NJTC)
New York Technology Council (NYTECH)
West (n=530)






Arizona Technology Council (ATC)
Colorado Technology Association
Idaho Technology Council (ITC)
Technology Association of Oregon (TAO)
Utah Technology Council (UTC)
Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA)
Canada (n=NA)
 Tech South East
Illinois Technology Association (ITA)
Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA)
Northeast Ohio Software Association (NEOSA)
Technology Council of Greater Kansas City (KCNext)
Wisconsin Technology Council
South (n=484)











Austin Technology Council (ATC)
Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED)
Chattanooga Technology Council
Chesapeake Regional Tech Council (CRTC)
Howard Tech Council
Metroplex Technology Business Council (MTBC)
North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA)
Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF)
Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
Technology Association of Louisville Kentucky (TALK)
Tech Birmingham

7. Section 1: Assessment of Business Conditions

8. Business Sentiment Expected to Improve
Modestly Over Next Six Months
Rating on a 100-point scale | 100=highest | 0=Lowest
Current Rating
Projected Rating
66.0 67.7
56.4
59.3
50.8
68.8
73.2
54.6
North America Global Economy
Economy Rating
Rating
Tech Sector
Rating
Individual
Company Rating
Project Rating = next 6 months
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives

9. Business Sentiment Comparison YOY
Rating on a 100-point scale | 100=highest | 0=Lowest
2012
62.1
2013
66.0
66.4
68.8
56.4
46.3
North America
Economy Rating
Tech Sector
Rating
Individual
Company Rating
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives

10. Business Sentiment Segmentation:
Regional Ratings
Rating on a 100-point scale | 100=highest | 0=Lowest
67 67
64 66
54
67
70 71 69
Northeast
58 58 56
49
52 52 51
Midwest
South
West
U.S. Economy
Rating
Global
Economy
Rating
Tech
Sector
Rating
Individual
Company
Rating
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives
Northeast=460, Midwest=275, South=484, West=530

11. Business Sentiment Segmentation:
Regional Ratings YOY
Rating on a 100-point scale | 100=highest | 0=Lowest
Average of 3 ratings: U.S. economy + tech sector + individual company rating
61.4
57.0
65.5
64.3
58.2
58.0
64.0
59.4
2012
2013
Northeast
Midwest
South
West
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives
Northeast=460, Midwest=275, South=484, West=530

12. Business Sentiment Segmentation:
Industry Sector Ratings
Rating on a 100-point scale | 100=highest | 0=Lowest
70
67
57
55 56
66
61
65
68
Information
Technology
Sector
51 50 51
Other Tech
Sectors
Other Industry
Sectors
North
America
Economy…
Global
Economy
Rating
Tech
Sector
Rating
Individual
Company
Rating
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives
IT sector=826, Non-IT tech sectors=184, Other industry sectors=753

13. Business Sentiment Segmentation:
Regional Ratings
Rating on a 100-point scale | 100=highest | 0=Lowest
64
55
58 58 56
67 68
70
65
65
73
69
Micro Firm
52 51
49 51
<10 employees
Small Firm
10-99 employees
Medium Firm
100-499 employees
Large Firm
500+ employees
North
America
Economy
Rating
Global
Economy
Rating
Tech
Sector
Rating
Individual
Company
Rating
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives
Micro=516, Small=604, Medium=261, Large=382

14. Section 2: Business Investment & Workforce

15. Many Businesses Plan to Increase Investments
Timeframe: over next 6 months
Planning
Decreases
Investments in new products or business lines 4%
No Change
Expected
Planning
Increases
37%
59%
39%
57%
Staffing levels in technical positions
4%
Marketing/advertising expenditures
6%
43%
51%
Technology expenditures 5%
44%
51%
Staffing levels in non-technical positions
7%
Staff training or professional development 5%
Business travel
11%
Capital expenditures (e.g. non technology)
9%
Cost cutting
7%
46%
47%
53%
42%
52%
59%
70%
37%
32%
23%
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives

16. Expected Increases in Investment YOY
Expected increased in investment | Timeframe: over next 6 months
59%
Investments in new products or business lines
59%
57%
Staffing levels in technical positions
57%
51%
Marketing/advertising expenditures
53%
51%
52%
Technology expenditures
47%
51%
Staffing levels in non-technical positions
42%
Staff training or professional development
42%
37%
Business travel
41%
2012
32%
Capital expenditures (e.g. non technology)
Cost cutting
2013
33%
23%
27%
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives

17. Business Investment Segmentation:
Region and Company Size Ratings
Percent indicating a planned INCREASE in investment over next 6 months
Planned Increase
Northeast
Midwest
South
West
Staffing levels in technical positions
54%
61%
58%
57%
Investments in new products or business lines
62%
61%
55%
59%
Marketing/advertising expenditures
49%
52%
49%
54%
Technology expenditures
49%
50%
50%
53%
Staffing levels in non-technical positions
44%
51%
46%
47%
Micro Firms
Small Firms
Medium Firms
Large Firms
Staffing levels in technical positions
48%
69%
69%
45%
Investments in new products or business lines
54%
65%
62%
54%
Marketing/advertising expenditures
56%
60%
52%
29%
Technology expenditures
50%
52%
59%
43%
Staffing levels in non-technical positions
43%
56%
58%
29%
Planned Increase
Micro: <10 employees
Medium: 100-499 employees
Small: 10-99 employees
Large: 500+ employees
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives
Micro=516, Small=604, Medium=261, Large=382

18. 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
70%
Staffing levels in technical positions
54%
45%
62%
58%
56%
Investments in new products
or business lines
54%
Staffing levels in non-technical positions
38%
41%
56%
Marketing/advertising expenditures
47%
47%
52%
Technology expenditures
47%
50%
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives
IT sector=826, Non-IT tech sectors=184, Other industry sectors=753

19. Executives Express a Range of Concerns
that Could Derail Business Activity
Timeframe: over next 6 months
44%
General lack of confidence/paralysis
47%
42%
Government regulation
36%
38%
Lower margins/downward pressure on pricing
22%
35%
36%
Unexpected shock
34%
Labor prices/availability of talent/employee turnover
31%
34%
32%
Weak corporate demand
33%
Domestic competition
19%
29%
Access to credit/capital
36%
27%
Disruptive technologies or business models
16%
20%
22%
Weak consumer demand
12%
12%
Stock market volatility
10%
13%
Overseas competition
Input/commodity price inflation
Weak export market
2013
2012
5%
5%
4%
4%
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives

20. Threats to Growth Concerns Segmentation:
Region and Company Size Ratings
Percent indicating a planned increase in investment over next 6 months
Northeast
Midwest
South
West
General lack of confidence/paralysis
41%
47%
44%
45%
Government regulation
38%
42%
46%
42%
Lower margins/downward pressure on pricing
37%
31%
42%
39%
Labor prices/availability of talent/employee
turnover
32%
31%
34%
37%
Access to credit/capital
33%
36%
26%
26%
Micro Firms
Small Firms
Medium Firms
Large Firms
General lack of confidence/paralysis
51%
42%
43%
38%
Government regulation
41%
39%
42%
48%
Lower margins/downward pressure on pricing
23%
37%
51%
50%
Labor prices/availability of talent/employee
turnover
26%
37%
46%
33%
Access to credit/capital
44%
33%
16%
13%
Micro: <10 employees
Medium: 100-499 employees
Small: 10-99 employees
Large: 500+ employees
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives
Micro=516, Small=604, Medium=261, Large=382

21. Perceptions of Tech Talent Availability
Perceptions of quantity and quality of tech talent in respondents’ state/province/region
44%
NET
perception
of a surplus
= 11%
NET
perception
of a shortage
= 69%
25%
14%
9%
2%
Significant
surplus
Moderate
surplus
Equilibrium,
supply roughly
equals demand
Moderate
shortage
Significant
shortage
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives

22. Perceptions of Tech Talent Availability Segmentation
Perceptions of quantity and quality of tech talent in respondents’ state/province/region
72%
67%
72%
65%
24%
20%
28%
28%
Perception of
a significant
shortage
Perception of
a moderate
shortage
48%
45%
44%
Midwest
South
West
39%
Northeast
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives
Northeast=460, Midwest=275, South=484, West=530

23. Perceptions of Tech Talent Availability Segmentation
Perceptions of quantity and quality of tech talent in respondents’ state/province/region
73%
66%
60%
21%
17%
43%
42%
Information
Tech (Non ICT)
Technology Sector
Perception of
a significant
shortage
45%
31%
Perception of
a moderate
shortage
Other Industry
Sector
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives
IT sector=826, Non-IT tech sectors=184, Other industry sectors=753

24. Perceptions of Tech Talent Availability YOY
25%
Significant shortage
22%
44%
Moderate shortage
50%
14%
Equilibrium, supply roughly equals demand
16%
2013
Moderate surplus
Significant surplus
9%
10%
2012
2%
2%
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives

25. Workforce Gains / Losses Projections
Timeframe: over next 12 months
Hiring staff - positions newly
created or additional headcount
63%
Hiring staff - back-fill openings
for existing headcount
Laying-off staff - positions that
have been permanently eliminated
Laying-off staff - positions reduced due to downsizing,
slow sales or other business cycle issues
None of above - expect no hiring nor layoffs
31%
5%
8%
17%
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives

26. Workforce Gains / Losses Projections Segmentation
74% 72%
59%
Micro
46%
49%
47%
<10 employees
Small Firm
10-99 employees
30%
Medium Firm
100-499 employees
16%
3% 5%
9%
12%
2% 2% 7%
Laying-off staff –
Laying-off staff positions reduced due positions that
to downsizing, slow
have been
sales or other
permanently
business cycle issues
eliminated
Large Firm
10%
Hiring staff back-fill
openings for
existing
headcount
500+ employees
Hiring staff positions newly
created or
additional
headcount
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives
Micro=516, Small=604, Medium=261, Large=382

27. Likelihood to Use More Foreign Workers
(e.g. H1B Visa) Should They Become Available
Timeframe: over next 12 months
Very likely
Somewhat likely
19%
Neutral / don't know
Somewhat unlikely
Very unlikely
NET likely
= 34%
15%
23%
NET unlikely
= 43%
12%
31%
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives

28. Likelihood to Use More Foreign Workers
(e.g. H1B Visa) Segmentation
43%
42%
21%
20%
Very likely
21%
22%
22%
Somewhat likely
Micro
firms
Small
firms
Medium
firms
Large
firms
<10
employees
10-99
employees
35%
25%
14%
11%
14%
100-499
employees
500+
employees
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives
Micro=516, Small=604, Medium=261, Large=382

29. Section 3: Public Policy Issues

30. Rating of How Government Represented
the Interests of the Tech Sector
Timeframe: during past two years
State/Regional
Government
41%
38%
30%
15%
Federal
Government
28%
16%
12%
9%
8%
1%
Represented
Tech Interests
Very Poorly
Poor
Just
Okay
Well
Represented
Tech Interests
Very Well
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives

31. How State/Regional Government Represented
the Interests of the Tech Sector Segmentation
45%
45%
40%
Northeast
35% 36% 36%
31%
34%
Midwest
29%
South
26%
24%
20%
NET Well
Just Okay
West
NET Poor
Timeframe: during past two years
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives
Northeast=460, Midwest=275, South=484, West=530

32. Rating of How State/Regional Government
Represented the Interests of the Tech Sector YOY
Timeframe: during past two years
2012
39% 38%
2013
30%
18%
28%
16%
9%
7%
Represented
Tech Interests
Very Poorly
7%
Poor
Just
Okay
Well
8%
Represented
Tech Interests
Very Well

33. Preferences for Policy Actions
Access to capital for technology companies
46%
STEM education at the K-12 level
41%
STEM education at the higher ed levels
41%
Taxation and/or regulation reform
40%
Access to state/local grant funding for innovation/startups
37%
Promotion of business between public sector & tech sector
26%
Technology Infrastructure in schools
25%
Government efficiency through use of technology
24%
Opportunities for tech transfer to create new tech companies
21%
Increased broadband deployment
20%
Modernization of telecommunications laws
18%
Immigration Reform (e.g. foreign STEM skilled workers)
15%
Technology adoption in healthcare in rural and urban areas
Access to public data
14%
10%
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives

34. Preferences for Policy Actions Segmentation
Micro
Firms
Small
Firms
Medium
Firms
Large
Firms
Access to capital for technology companies
61%
51%
34%
27%
STEM education at the K-12 level
35%
38%
47%
49%
STEM education at the higher ed levels
31%
38%
53%
50%
Taxation and/or regulation reform
34%
41%
42%
43%
Access to state and local level grant funding for innovation/startups
53%
38%
20%
25%
Promotion of business between public sector & tech companies
26%
30%
22%
22%
Technology Infrastructure in schools
20%
23%
34%
29%
Government efficiency through use of technology
20%
23%
29%
26%
Opportunities for tech transfer to create new tech companies
24%
19%
19%
21%
Increased broadband deployment
20%
22%
16%
21%
Modernization of telecommunications laws
12%
16%
20%
27%
Immigration Reform (e.g. access to foreign STEM skilled workers)
10%
17%
21%
17%
Technology adoption in healthcare in rural and urban areas
13%
13%
16%
15%
Access to public data
12%
10%
7%
9%

35. Perceptions of Most Negative Aspects of Tax Policies
Tax code complexity and the time and burden
required of businesses to manage taxes
33%
Corporate tax rates that are generally
too high on businesses
22%
Too many tax deductions or loopholes for
special interests or sophisticated taxpayers
17%
Personal tax rates that are generally too
high on consumers
Tax policy governing the repatriation
of overseas profits
Don't know
9%
3%
12%
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives

36. Tax Code Perceptions Segmentation
Northeast
Midwest
South
West
Tax code complexity and the time and burden
required of businesses to manage taxes
37%
30%
35%
31%
Too many tax deductions or loopholes for special
interests or sophisticated taxpayers
19%
19%
15%
15%
Corporate tax rates that are generally too high on
businesses
19%
26%
23%
22%
Personal tax rates that are generally too high on
consumers
8%
10%
8%
10%
Tax policy governing the repatriation of overseas
profits
4%
2%
4%
3%
Micro Firms
Small Firms
Medium Firms
Large Firms
Tax code complexity and the time and burden
required of businesses to manage taxes
38%
35%
29%
28%
Too many tax deductions or loopholes for special
interests or sophisticated taxpayers
20%
16%
12%
17%
Corporate tax rates that are generally too high on
businesses
17%
25%
30%
20%
Personal tax rates that are generally too high on
consumers
9%
9%
11%
8%
Tax policy governing the repatriation of overseas
profits
2%
2%
3%
6%

37. Self Assessment of Desirability of
Local Area for Tech Startups
53%
47%
44%
42%
42%
41%
Northeast
Midwest
South
32%
West
23%
20%
19%
12%
8%
Lower-tier location
for tech startups
Mid-tier location
for tech startups
Top tier location
for tech startups
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives
Northeast=460, Midwest=275, South=484, West=530

38. Most Executives Believe the Tech Sector Is
Under-performing Its Potential
69% 70%
62%
Northeast
58%
Midwest
South
29%
West
32%
24% 23%
2%
Performing at
about its potential
Under-performing
its potential
4%
4%
6%
Out-performing
its potential
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives
Northeast=460, Midwest=275, South=484, West=530

39. Perception of Tech Sector Performance YOY
2012
2013
Believe Tech Sector
performing at
about its potential
Don’t know
7% 3%
5% 4%
25%
Believe Tech
Sector outperforming
its potential
28%
64%
66%
Believe Tech
Sector underperforming its
potential
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives

40. Perceptions of Factors Contributing to
a Healthy Tech Sector in Region
Quality of life
56%
Skilled workforce
49%
Entrepreneurship / innovation ecosystem
45%
Research universities / R&D capacity
35%
Cost advantages
25%
Business friendly environment
23%
General infrastructure capacity / quality
15%
Early, mid and late-stage financing capacity
Commercial sector ecosystem
Transportation capacity / quality
11%
10%
6%
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,763 senior U.S. technology and business executives

41. Perceptions of Factors Contributing to a
Healthy Tech Sector Segmentation
Northeast
Midwest
South
West
Quality of life
47%
54%
51%
70%
Skilled workforce
52%
50%
45%
49%
Entrepreneurship / innovation ecosystem
42%
41%
40%
55%
Research universities / R&D capacity
47%
41%
38%
21%
Cost advantages
12%
29%
35%
25%
Business friendly environment
14%
19%
28%
28%
General infrastructure capacity / quality
15%
14%
17%
12%
Early, mid and late-stage financing capacity
18%
9%
9%
8%
Commercial sector ecosystem
14%
9%
11%
7%
Transportation capacity / quality
8%
8%
7%
3%

42. Perceptions of Factors that can Inhibit
Tech Sector Growth / Performance
Early, mid and late-stage financing capacity
44%
Costs basis (inclusive of various business costs)
36%
Workforce
34%
Transportation capacity/quality
28%
Business environment
26%
Entrepreneurship / innovation ecosystem
17%
Research universities / R&D capacity
12%
General infrastructure capacity / quality
11%
Commercial sector ecosystem
11%
Quality of life
8%
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,583 senior U.S. technology and business executives

43. Perceptions of Factors that can Inhibit Tech
Sector Growth / Performance Segmentation
Northeast
Midwest
South
West
Early, mid and late-stage financing capacity
37%
58%
43%
44%
Costs basis (inclusive of various business costs)
62%
28%
24%
28%
Workforce
27%
32%
34%
40%
Transportation capacity / quality
23%
16%
46%
22%
Business environment
27%
31%
21%
25%
Entrepreneurship / innovation ecosystem
16%
25%
20%
11%
Research universities / R&D capacity
10%
10%
8%
18%
General infrastructure capacity / quality
12%
6%
13%
11%
Commercial sector ecosystem
8%
9%
10%
14%
Quality of life
11%
7%
8%
4%

44. Expectations of Sectors’ Ability to Drive
innovation/startups/job growth
44%
Information technology or telecommunications
35%
34%
Life sciences or healthcare technology
38%
7%
Environmental or energy technology
Defense / military technology
Broadcasting / media and entertainment technology
Advanced manufacturing
Advanced materials
12%
5%
3%
5%
4%
Today
2-Year Projection
5%
6%
1%
2%
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,583 senior U.S. technology and business executives