This IDC study presents forecasts for the worldwide and U.S. custom application development (CAD) services market for 2012–2016. Discrete CAD services spending was quite robust in 2011, growing at an estimated 9.2% worldwide, reaching an estimated $37.4 billion. IDC estimates that at a global level CAD services will show a slowing of growth in 2012, estimated at 4.9%, reflecting austerity measures in EMEA.

According to Rona Shuchat, director of Application Development, Testing and Management Services, "IDC expects that CAD contract wins will continue to reflect a mix of application portfolio management strategies, leveraging modernization, consolidation, and business process optimization in parallel with the rising adoption of mobile and custom cloud development initiatives. Companies will be looking for ways to innovate and transform while they drive greater operational efficiencies and push toward lower cost of development with higher-quality assurance."