Computacenter pre-tax profits are down slightly for 2008 but revenues grew 7.6 per cent to £2.56bn.

For the year ended 31 December 2008 Computacenter saw profit before tax fall 6 per cent to £39.5m.

He said: “The current economic conditions are undoubtedly affecting the markets in which we operate. However we can, and do, help businesses reduce costs...We expect this growth to continue at a similar pace throughout the year, though our product revenues are under pressure."

Computacenter Germany was more profitable - helped by exchange rates. But business in the UK was "lack lustre" - UK turnover grew 2.5 per cent to £1.39bn but adjusted operating profit fell 15.6 per cent to £27.9m.

Increased sales were mainly down to data centre deals and sales to medium-sized businesses. Profits were also hit by the cost of a new ERP system from SAP.