Analysis
NAICS 541512 is the 2022 national industry for computer systems design services, part of 54151 (Computer Systems Design and Related Services). Census lists 18 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 58,113 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 766,160 people at an average annual payroll of $122,171 per employee (92nd percentile of national industries). 74% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which marks it as a small-business industry.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include audio visual and IT (information technology) systems…, CAD (computer-aided design) systems integration design…, CAE (computer-aided engineering) systems integration design… and CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) systems integration…, among 18 in all.
Census lists 4 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 541330, 541511, 449210 and 423430. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
For example, providing robotics engineering design, integration, and related consulting services for industrial and manufacturing facilities and processes are classified in 541330 (Engineering Services) instead.
Official definition
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in planning and designing computer systems that integrate computer hardware, software, and communication technologies. The hardware and software components of the system may be provided by this establishment or company as part of integrated services or may be provided by third parties or vendors. These establishments often install the system and train and support users of the system.
Illustrative Examples:
Computer systems integration design consulting services Local area network (LAN) computer systems integration design services Information management computer systems integration design services Office automation computer systems integration design services
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Providing robotics engineering design, integration, and related consulting services for industrial and manufacturing facilities and processes | 541330 Engineering Services |
| Designing and writing custom software to meet the needs of a particular customer | 541511 Custom Computer Programming Services |
| Retailing computer hardware or software products and systems and providing supporting services, such as customized assembly of personal computers | 449210 Electronics and Appliance Retailers |
| Merchant wholesaling computer hardware or software products and providing supporting services, such as customized assembly of personal computers | 423430 Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers |
Index entries (18)
- Audio visual and IT (information technology) systems integration design services
- CAD (computer-aided design) systems integration design services
- CAE (computer-aided engineering) systems integration design services
- CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) systems integration design services
- Computer hardware consulting services or consultants
- Computer software consulting services or consultants
- Computer systems integration analysis and design services
- Computer systems integration design consulting services
- Computer systems integrator services
- Computer-aided design (CAD) systems integration design services
- Computer-aided engineering (CAE) systems integration design services
- Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) systems integration design services
- Information management computer systems integration design services
- Local area network (LAN) computer systems integration design services
- Network systems integration design services, computer
- Office automation computer systems integration design services
- Systems integration design consulting services, computer
- Systems integration design services, computer