Apple to become even more of a disruptive factor in the battle for IT spending

For a company that doesn’t market its products to the business world, Apple has been enjoying a surge in sales among corporate buyers.

The growth of the iPad maker in the corporate market last year proved to be a huge surprise, according to the new Forrester report “Global Tech Market Outlook For 2012 And 2013.” Eyeing the landscape for this year and next, the research firm expects Apple to become even more of a disruptive factor in the battle for IT spending.

Apple doesn’t break down its sales between consumers and corporations. But based on its own data, Forrester believes the company sold $6 billion worth of Macs and an equal value of iPads to the business market last year.

Looking ahead, Apple is projected to sell $9 billion worth of Macs and $10 billion worth of iPads to corporations this year, followed by $12 billion in Macs and $16 billion in iPads in 2013. In contrast, IT spending on Windows PCs and tablets is forecast to drop 3 percent this year and 1 percent next year.

Much of the business growth in Macs and iPads has occurred through indirect channels, since Apple typically does little to promote them specifically to corporate buyers. The consumerization of IT has also kicked up sales for Apple as more employees are eager to use their favorite consumers devices on the job.