About Us

Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

A Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Social Media

Bluesky • Facebook • Instagram • LinkedIn • YouTube

Meet the Laser Focus World Team

Editorial

Sales

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology
My Watchlist
Indicators
Industrial Laser Index
Markets
Stocks
ETFs
Tools
Markets:
Overview
News
Currencies
International
Treasuries

Spiceworks Launches 13th Annual State of IT Report: Rising Costs, AI Investments, and Workforce Challenges Take Center Stage

By: via Business Wire

Powered by Aberdeen Strategy & Research, the Annual Report Will Be Showcased at SpiceWorld, Where Industry Expert Peter Tsai Will Share Key Findings

Spiceworks, a leader in IT insights and solutions, launches its 13th Annual State of IT report, providing a comprehensive outlook on rising costs, workforce demands, and the impacts of generative AI. Released in partnership with Aberdeen Strategy & Research, the report sheds light on essential strategies for IT resilience and growth in 2025.

The 2025 report highlights the growing importance of security, the rising cost of IT resources, and the critical need for talent development in the face of skills shortages, providing companies with a roadmap to plan for resilience and innovation.

Key Findings from the 2025 State of IT Report

  1. Escalating IT Costs and Workforce Shortages

    IT leaders report that rising product costs and IT labor shortages rank as their most significant anticipated challenges in 2025. This trend underscores the need for efficient processes, employee retention, and experimenting with new solutions that might help companies work to maintain service quality despite resource limitations.
  2. Security and Generative AI Drive IT Budget Priorities

    Reflecting the central role of technology in business operations, 64% of organizations intend to boost IT spending, with security and generative AI representing the areas most likely to see investment growth. More than half of companies (53%) report that heightened security concerns drive this budget increase.
  3. Concerns Over IT Spending Sufficiency Across Job Roles

    Despite the uptick in budgets, there is a clear disparity within organizations over whether these funds meet actual needs. Over half (54%) of IT staff feel their organization’s technology spending falls short, contrasting with just 19% of IT managers and 15% of senior leaders. This disconnect indicates a pressing need for greater alignment on budget expectations.
  4. Flexible Vendor Preferences Reflect Changing Technology Needs

    IT departments are actively seeking cost savings and willing to adapt, with businesses open to changing vendors for 59% of the technologies they use, on average. This flexibility underscores the importance for vendors to demonstrate superior value, clear differentiation, and cost-effectiveness in a competitive market to retain clients. It also creates opportunities for vendors to gain market share from competitors who don’t follow suit.
  5. Talent Retention Poses Challenges even as Demand Increases

    Hiring skilled IT talent remains challenging for 57% of senior tech leaders, as 43% of businesses plan to increase IT staff in 2025. Large enterprises, in particular, are twice as likely as smaller firms to expand their IT teams.
  6. Career Growth Requires Essential Skills and Certifications

    The report highlights skills gaps, with only 63% of IT professionals confident in their cybersecurity abilities and 53% in their coding skills. Notably, Gen Z respondents are twice as likely as Boomers to view AI prompting as a crucial skill, showing a shift toward AI readiness.
  7. Small and Large Businesses Experience Resource Disparities in Security and AI

    Larger organizations are three times more likely than small businesses to employ dedicated security staff and five times as likely to have AI-focused roles. These findings suggest that smaller companies may fall behind due to limited resources, highlighting a need for scalable solutions for leaner teams.

LIVESTREAM OF STATE OF IT RESEARCH

To bring these findings directly to industry professionals, Spiceworks is hosting a dedicated session at this year’s SpiceWorld conference in Austin, Texas from Nov 13-14. Entitled “The 2025 State of IT: Data-backed Insights on IT Jobs, Budgets, and Emerging Tech,” the session will be led by Peter Tsai, Head of Technology Insights at Spiceworks. Non-attendees may watch the livestream session 4:15 PM CT on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. Please join the Spiceworks Community to hear this event (live or on-demand) on Spiceworks.com.

CUSTOMIZED READ-OUTS

To receive a personalized read-out, including additional research segmentation by size, region, and industry, companies may request an appointment with one of Spiceworks’ market experts.

About the 2025 State of IT Report

The 2025 State of IT report is Spiceworks’ annual in-depth look into the critical trends shaping the tech industry, from budget priorities and workforce demands to emerging technology investments. Powered by Aberdeen Strategy & Research, the report has been published annually since 2013, providing trusted insights for IT leaders, tech vendors, and businesses looking to stay competitive in the ever-evolving IT landscape.

About Spiceworks

Spiceworks is a trusted platform connecting millions of IT professionals and technology providers. Offering actionable insights, industry news, and a vibrant professional community, Spiceworks supports IT leaders in making informed decisions that drive technology and business growth. The company’s annual State of IT report is a cornerstone of its commitment to sharing data-backed trends that matter most to IT professionals.

About Aberdeen Strategy & Research

Aberdeen Strategy & Research, the research arm of Spiceworks, brings over two decades of expertise in data-driven insights that empower organizations to optimize their IT strategies and navigate digital transformation. Partnering with Spiceworks on the State of IT report, Aberdeen provides in-depth analysis that helps companies anticipate and meet the complex challenges of today’s tech industry.

Contacts

More News

View More
3 Healthcare Stocks Using AI to Drive Growth
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence
Tickers BSX HIMS TEM
Get Exposure to Millennials' Purchasing Power With This ETF
Via MarketBeat
Topics ETFs
Tickers AAPL DASH DIS GOOGL META MILN
Why a $4.5 Billion Smart Debt Move Is Fueling Dell’s AI Ambitions
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence
Tickers DELL
Beam Global Gets Buy Rating With 101% Upside Potential
Via MarketBeat
Topics Intellectual Property
Tickers BEEM
These 3 Crypto Stocks Could Get a Bump as Dollar Trust Weakens
Via MarketBeat
Topics ETFs Economy World Trade
Tickers BITF COIN HOOD
Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.