An enormous increase in IT capabilities and an even more substantial drop in the price of equipment has driven businesses to sink more money into information and communications technology (ICT) than almost any other type of asset over the last two decades, according to a recent Statistics Canada report. From 1981 to 2000, business investment in ICT, including computer hardware, software and telecommunications grew at an annual average rate of 16.2 per cent, far outpacing investment in other types of assets.