CompTIA IT releases 2017 projections

CompTIA has released its industry outlook for 2017, which suggests that the future is positive.

The IT Industry Outlook 2017 projects a global industry growth of 4.1%.

In addition, CompTIA has identified 12 trends in technology, workforce and the IT channel that are likely to impact the industry in 2017.

“With the groundwork of cloud, mobility, data and connectivity laid, the year ahead will see evolutionary advances on many fronts,” said Tim Herbert, senior vice president for research and market intelligence at CompTIA.

“Digital business transformation remains a driving force for small and large enterprises alike. Organisations will have the opportunity to explore advances in virtual reality, artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, the Internet of Things and, inevitably, a few unexpected breakthroughs. Those playing catch-up will face growing and potentially new forms of competitive pressures.”

Identified trends were:

Technology

• The tools of the cloud era emerge. New elements built from a cloud mindset will play larger roles, challenging users to integrate the pieces into a comprehensive digital strategy.
• Security gets worse before it gets better. Many firms remain unprepared for a cyber attack even in the midst of a flood of headline-making security breaches.
• Data teams bridge the gap between IT and business. Data specialists will move from backstage to centrestage to harness the power of organisational data.
• The Internet of Things (IoT) transforms physical environments and social conventions. The IoT will be a major disruptor as more physical objects gain intelligence and connectivity.

Channel

• New faces in the channel test traditional go-to market approaches. The line-up of sources for technology solutions is expanding as non-traditional entities get into the business.
• Mandate coming to retool partner programs. What was once valued — sales spiffs, discounts and rebates — is no longer as relevant in today’s services-based market.
• An ageing channel community. An estimated 40% of the channel universe expects to retire over the next decade.
• Opportunity spikes in cloud management arena. The number of cloud companies and services continues to proliferate, giving customers more options and creating more opportunities for channel partners.

Workforce

• Workers push the boundaries of ‘bring your own collaboration’. It is a balancing act for employers, with the benefits of greater productivity and employee satisfaction versus security risks.
• The blended workforce takes on new meaning. ‘Match-making’ employment platforms create new options for employers, full-time, temporary and contract workers.
• Debate intensifies over technology’s impact on employment. New questions arise over the use of artificial intelligence, virtual assistants and other knowledge-based systems.
• Skills gap grows in scope and nuance, forcing organisations to rethink workforce strategies. All signs point to a widening skills gap in many areas, but many employers still lag in hiring and professional development best practices.

The CompTIA IT Industry Business Confidence Index for Q1 2017 reached a new high, registering at 68.2 on a 100-point scale. The Index is based on IT executives’ opinions of the US economy, the IT industry as a whole and their own company.

Image credit: ©FreeImages.com/Flavio Takemoto

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