GlobalSpec Releases Annual Engineering Trends Survey Results

By DE Editors

Engineering, technical, and industrial professionals continue to rely on the Internet for work, according to results of the recent GlobalSpec (Troy, NY) Engineering Trends Survey. This seventh annual study surveyed GlobalSpec’s registered user base of engineering, technical, industrial, and manufacturing professionals to determine Internet usage patterns.

Twenty-one percent of respondents reported spending more than 12 hours per week online for work-related purposes. Thirty-three percent indicate that they spend at least nine hours online weekly. And the Internet has become crucial to performing key work-related tasks: 83 percent of respondents have used the Internet to find components and suppliers, and 81 percent go online to obtain product specifications. In addition, 79 percent use the Internet to conduct research, 67 percent to request a price quote, and 66 percent to compare products across suppliers.

This audience also uses a wide variety of online resources for work. According to respondents, seven of the top 10 most valuable resources for searching for products and services are online resources, including search engines, supplier Web sites, online trade publications, and e-newsletters. Seventy-four percent of respondents indicate visiting six or more work-related Web sites per week, with 20 percent visiting 20 or more. Additionally, 59 percent use multiple search engines for work.

Results of the survey also indicate that an online presence encourages industrial professionals to take action. Eighty-eight percent of respondents stated that they have contacted a supplier after visiting a Web site, and 51 percent ordered samples. This audience also takes action as a result of seeing an online advertisement: 87 percent have visited the advertiser’s Web site and 56 percent have e-mailed the advertiser.

For additional findings from the GlobalSpec Annual Engineering Trends Survey 2008, please access the survey results from GlobalSpec.

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Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.