IDC FutureScape Figure

Figure: IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Small and Medium-Sized Business 2021 Top 10 Predictions

Executive Summary

IDC FutureScape Predictions

Summary of External Drivers

Predictions: Impact on Technology Buyers

Prediction 1: By 2024, 60% of SMBs Will Have Accelerated Their Digitalization by Making Significant Investments into Software As a Service, Improving Their Customer Experience Mechanisms, and Becoming More Data Driven

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 2: By 2022, 70% of SMBs of All Sizes Will Have Digitized the Essential Components of the Customer Buying Journey, Using Digital Commerce to Survive and Transform

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 3: By 2022, at Least 30% of Lagging SMBs Will Accelerate Digitalization Focusing on Internal Processes and Operations, While Digital Leaders Will Commit to Delivering Dynamic Experiences to Differentiate

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 4: By 2023, 40% of All SMBs Will Tap into Digital Labor to Augment and Complement Their Resources, Addressing Major Gaps in Skills

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 5: By 2023, 40% of SMBs Will Upgrade Their Connectivity to Better Meet the Changing Business Needs of Connectivity, Communication, and Mobility While Enabling Business Continuity and Resiliency

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 6: Driven by the Need to Become Resilient, by 2023, 60% of Digitally Determined SMBs Will Increase Their AI/Analytics and RPA Investments with the Aim of Reducing Human Intervention Through Agile Processes

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 7: By 2021, at Least 70% of Digitally Enabled SMBs Will Operate Under a Hybrid Model of Working, with Remote Work Emerging As a Norm

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 8: By 2024, 60% of SMBs Will Take Proactive Measures to Ensure Cyber-Resiliency Fostering Customer and Community Trust, Leaving Behind Reactive Approaches to Cybersecurity

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 9: By 2024, 60% of SMBs Will Have Adopted Public Cloud Platforms for Some Aspect of Their Technology Architecture, with the Digitally Determined Deepening Their Public Cloud Platform Adoption Most

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 10: By 2024, 30% of Start-Ups Will Have a Purpose-Driven Element as Part of Their Company Ethos, with Sustainability, Inclusion, and Responsible Production Becoming Increasingly Important

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Advice for Technology Buyers

External Drivers: Detail

Accelerated Disruption — Crisis, Resilience, and Opportunity

Description

Context

The Next Normal — Resilient Business and Operating Models

Description

Context

Intelligence Everywhere — Data Drives Action

Description

Context

Digital Platform — Ecosystems at Scale

Description

Context

Customer Engagement Redefined — Safe, Secure, and Sustainable Digital Experience

Description

Context

Digital Divide — The Imperative of Connectivity

Description

Context

Work Transformation — Redefining Teams, Skills, and Leadership

Description

Context

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