Computer System Design Services NAICS 541512
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Industry Summary
The 49,252 Computer system design services providers in the US integrate computer hardware, software, and communication technologies. Types of services include computer systems design, development, and integration; customer application design and development; and IT technical consulting and support. Firms may also provide services related to network development and design, cybersecurity, and communications.
Dependence on Skilled Labor
The computer system design services industry relies on a highly skilled, highly paid workforce, which includes computer and software engineers, programmers, systems integrators, and management with experience in information technology.
Rapid Advances in Technology
The computer and information systems management industry is characterized by rapid advances in technology that create volatility and uncertainty.
Recent Developments
Jun 5, 2025 - AI Is Disrupting Software Development
- Developers are no longer the sole gatekeepers of custom software, according to Design Rush. Business users now have access to powerful low-code and no-code platforms that allow users with minimal coding knowledge to build applications using visual interfaces. These platforms are increasingly powered by AI, enabling non-developers to create and deploy software faster, though the trade-off can be a lack of customization and scalability. Computer programming services once built everything from scratch but clients often show up with tools already in place now. The real value provided by computer programming services lies in guidance, strategy, and making sure the tools are solving the right problem in the first place, according to Design Rush.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) is struggling with capacity constraints in its data centers, restricting the cloud division's growth as AI demand surges, CEO Andy Jassy said. Rival Microsoft has also said that its cloud sales growth was hurt because it didn’t have enough data centers to handle demand for its AI products. AWS CEO Jassy said that limited AI chip supply and power capacity are affecting the ability of Amazon Web Services to bring new data centers online.
- A total of 677 major health data breaches affecting more than 182.4 million people occurred in 2024 as of December 20, 2024, according to The US Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights' HIPAA Breach Reporting Tool. Computer facilities management services may be affected if the record number of breaches increases calls for greater computer system security. Business associates were involved in 212, or about a third of the major breaches reported, but those vendor incidents affected more than 131 million individuals - or about 75% of people affected by major health data breaches this year.
- Computer system design service industry employment decreased slightly and average wages for nonsupervisory employees increased slightly during the first three months of 2025, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Revenue for computer system design services increased 5.1% year over year and 2.3% quarter over quarter in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the US Census Bureau. Computer system design service industry sales are forecast to grow at a 3.62% compounded annual rate from 2024 to 2028, slower than the growth of the overall economy, according to Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc.
Industry Revenue
Computer System Design Services
Industry Structure
Industry size & Structure
The average computer system design service provider operates out of a single location, employs 23 workers, and generates about $5.7 million annually.
- The computer system design services industry consists of about 49,252 companies that employ over 1.1 million workers and generate over $278 billion annually.
- The industry is concentrated at the top and fragmented at the bottom; the top 50 companies account for 55% of industry revenue.
- Large firms, which include IBM, GDIT, and Unisys, typically have global operations.
Industry Forecast
Industry Forecast
Computer System Design Services Industry Growth
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