(NOTE: This story was originally posted to CRN.com June 21.)

Which Vendors Bring In The Most IT Spend?

For the first time, Gartner has published a ranking of the 100 largest IT vendors in the world based on estimates for what their customers will spend on IT (excluding communication services) and component market segments, which include semiconductors and assembled components.

The research firm says technology business leaders can use the list to benchmark competitive performance against a shift from the convergence of social, mobility, cloud and information that drive new business scenarios – what Gartner calls the "nexus of forces" - to digital business as the driver of IT purchasing.

"The needs of IT buyers are shifting. CEOs are focused on growth and are more focused on realizing business outcomes from their IT spend," said John-David Lovelock, vice president and Gartner analyst, in a statement. "The impact of digital business is giving rise to new categories."

Gartner analysts presented these findings during the Gartner Tech Growth & Innovation Conference, which is taking place this week in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Here are the top five, followed by Lovelock's take on the list.