Intelligence: Bits of computing data

Despite the media frenzy surrounding Java and its write once, run-on-anything capability, Computing Intelligence's first survey in March found little interest among corporate users. That picture is changing as more Java connectivity tools become available and vendors push their Java products. Computing's second survey of 212 IT managers found that 25% are planning Java systems compared to just 20% four months ago.

Our first survey showed surprisingly high numbers of IT managers claiming to be implementing NCs. Researchers Spikes Cavell expressed doubts as to whether they were getting confused between NCs - ultra-thin clients with no hard disks - and networked computers. Four months later, the numbers planning to use NCs has increased by 8% while those who claim to be at the implementation stage has decreased.

Intranets tell a similar story. Fewer organisations claim to be actively building intranets, but there has been a 6% increase in those IT managers planning them since our March survey. Almost three quarters of organisations are planning or already implementing intranets. 'These organisations have realised that intranets can have very positive benefits,' said Spikes Cavell's Andrew Roberts.

There has been an 8% leap in the number of companies planning Web sites for commerce, while those implementing such sites has shrunk by 6%. Half of those surveyed still have no plans to do business over the Web, but this number is also shrinking gradually. 'In development terms an interactive commercial Web site costs #20,000 to #30,000 to develop, while a sophisticated site cost in the region of #50,000 to #100,000,' Roberts said.