If you include​ hardware, software,​ networking, and necessary management​ consulting, how much did this amount to in 2015 in the United States?

The amount of $1 trillion in 2015 in the United States encompasses the total expenditures across multiple facets of information technology, including hardware, software, networking, and necessary management consulting. This figure reflects the vast investment made by organizations in developing their information systems to support their business strategies and operations.

Investments in these areas are crucial for maintaining competitive advantages in the technology-driven marketplace. This includes not only the physical components such as computers, servers, and storage devices but also software solutions that drive productivity and efficiency. Networking expenses cover the essential infrastructure that supports communication and data transfer across systems, while consulting services help organizations strategize and optimize their use of these technologies.

Understanding the scale of such investments highlights the importance of information technology in driving business success and innovation. The other figures do not accurately represent the comprehensive scope of IT expenditure in the United States during that period, thus reinforcing the significance of the trillion-dollar figure as a benchmark for analyzing IT spending trends.