Tech trade association CompTIA said that IT industry executives demonstrated a marked brightening of their outlooks for the IT business, as December’s rating went up 6.3 percent to 56.6, the largest-ever monthly increase in CompTIA’s Industry Business Confidence Index.

While confidence had been understandably low throughout most of 2009, the increase reflects a more optimistic tone as the industry adapts to the new decade. CompTIA said that respondents expected a further upturn in both the U.S. economy in general and their industry in particular, projecting a further 6.5 percent increase in the index.

CompTIA vice president of research Tim Herbert said that "many macro-economic indicators have improved over the past six months, lending factual support to the positive perceptions of IT executives."

This confidence has been reflected in improving sales numbers at several major IT firms, which could help companies like SAP excel in the year 2010. The business software maker reported several sets of unexpectedly positive numbers in the fourth quarter of 2009, lending weight to the idea that the IT economy is improving around the globe.