Most tech execs predict return to normality in August - CompTIA

Nearly a fifth of tech firms have laid off employees, according to CompTIA survey

Two-thirds of tech executives believe that the industry will get "back on track" by August, according to a survey from CompTIA.

The survey of 209 members of CompTIA's advisory board indicated that US execs are more optimistic than their international counterparts, the majority of whom predict a return to normalcy from September.

Nearly half of respondents said they were "hanging in there" while 46 per cent said they were generally positive about survive and eight per cent said they are in a "very difficult" situation.

"While no wants to see any business struggle, it is encouraging to see that the great majority of companies in the business of technology have shown the resilience to maintain a solid level of activity during this uncertain time," said Nancy Hammervik, CompTIA's executive vice president for industry relations.

The majority (83 per cnet) of tech firms in the survey reported receiving new customer inquiries, up from 76 er cent in March, with collaboration and AV technologies, comms, cybersecurity, general consulting and cloud computing generating the most customer interest.

However, project postponements or cancellations impacted 58 per cent of business in April with firms also reporting customer requests to restructure payment terms, disruptions to shortages of finished products, disruptions with key partners and cancellation or postponement of financial arrangements with partners and vendors.

Recruitment also took a blow in March and April, with 42 per cent of respondents entering May with a "wait and see" approach to hiring new employees. A third of firms had delayed interviews and recruiting for new positions, while a fifth had reduced the hours for full-time and part-time staff and 17 per cent have laid off full or part-time employees.