Firms eye higher revenue with automation

The worldwide enterprise software market is forecast to grow 7.6 per cent in 2017, up from 5.3 per cent growth in 2016, says Gartner. As software applications allow more organisations to derive revenue from digital business channels, there will be a stronger need to automate and release new applications and functionality. IT spending increased in 2016, but only two of the top 10 IT vendors posted organic revenue growth. With revenue sources still tied to the Nexus of Forces (the convergence of social, mobility, cloud and information), some of the top 10 vendors will fare better in 2017 due to strength in mobile phone sales. Worldwide spending on devices (PCs, tablets, ultramobiles and mobile phones) is projected to grow 3.8 per cent in 2017, to reach $654 billion. This is up from the previous quarter’s forecast of 1.7 per cent. Mobile phone growth will be driven by increased average selling prices (ASPs) for premium phones in mature markets due to the 10th anniversary of the iPhone.