Spending on ‘future of work’ technologies will reach US$656 billion in 2021 – a 17.4% increase on the previous year. According to IDC’s Worldwide Future of Work Spending Guide, organisations are investing in a wide range of technologies and services to facilitate the transition to collaborative, hybrid work environments.
"Traditional work models do not provide the agility, scalability, and resilience required by the future enterprise,” said Holly Muscolino, research vice president, content strategies and the future of work, IDC.
“This was, of course, highlighted by the ongoing health crisis. To drive growth and competitive differentiation, organisations will invest in technologies and services that power automation, human-machine collaboration, new organisational structures and leadership styles, dynamic learning opportunities, a reimagined workplace, and a digital work environment that is not bounded by time or physical place," she added.
The largest area of investment in 2021 will be hardware, where companies are expected to purchase US$228 billion worth of endpoint devices, enterprise hardware, infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), and robotics and drones.
Business, IT and connectivity services, will be the second largest area of investment, accounting for US$123 billion this year.
Software will see the fastest spending growth with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.3% between 2020 and 2024. Areas of investment include enterprise applications, content and collaboration, analytics and artificial intelligence, human resources applications, security, and software development and deployment.
"Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, the internet of things, and augmented/virtual reality are changing how work is getting done across all industries and across the world,” said Eileen Smith, program vice president, customer insights and analysis, IDC.
“Seeking automated decision support and virtual collaborative approaches, discrete and process manufacturing, the two largest spenders on future of work technology over the forecast period, are investing in key use cases like collaborative robotics, operational performance management, and 3D and digital product design and review for improved cost control and higher process efficiency," she explained.
IT Europa is hosting a Leaders in Discussion event in July to discuss the channel opportunities around the hybrid working environment. To register please visit: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/5216215974996/WN_L3AUVGyORNOtUxwh0sf28A
