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Assessing the Salt Typhoon Hack’s Impact on the U.S. Telecom Industry

Jason Leigh — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

The Salt Typhoon hack of U.S. telecom networks, alleged to be sponsored by China, is serving as a wake-up call for both U.S. operators and government cybersecurity authorities to focus on cybersecurity investment and activities as much, if not more than, typical competitive commercial metrics like coverage, speed, and latency. While the causes of, and remediation of the hack have yet to be fully assessed, the impacts on wireless network design and architectures, security investments, public – private sector collaboration, and the need to prepare for larger, systematic, state-sponsored attempts to infiltrate telecom networks will linger for years to come.

SMB Budgeting for AI/Automation — The (Multi-) Billion-Dollar Question

Elisabeth Clemmons, Katie Evans — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

This IDC Market Presentation examines small and medium-sized businesses' (SMBs') technology budgets and investment priorities, with a specific focus on AI, generative AI, and automation technologies. It highlights key considerations for SMBs in selecting their AI/automation investments and provides an overview of preferred pricing strategies and models.

Small and Medium-Sized Business Communications Services Survey, 2024: Mobility

Jason Blackwell — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

This IDC Survey provides a summary of results from IDC's SMB Communications Services Survey, an online survey of United States–based small and medium-sized businesses fielded in August 2024. This portion of the survey explores key issues related to mobility services adoption and implementation by businesses with between 1 and 499 employees.

Small and Medium-Sized Business Communications Services Survey, 2024: Voice Migration

Jason Blackwell — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

This IDC Survey provides a summary of results from IDC’s SMB Communications Services Survey, an online survey of United States–based small and medium-sized businesses fielded in August 2024. This portion of the survey explores key issues related to the migration of voice services by businesses with between 1 and 499 employees.

The SMB AI Adoption Journey, 2024

Elisabeth Clemmons, Katie Evans — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

This IDC Market Presentation provides an overview of current and planned AI/automation investments for worldwide SMBs by company size, region, maturity, and vertical. It examines specific use cases of AI and automation, analyzes the benefits of implementing these technologies for SMBs, and looks at several obstacles to adoption.

IDC MarketScape: Worldwide SaaS and Cloud-Enabled SaaS Sales and Use Tax Automation Software for Small and Midmarket 2024 Vendor Assessment

Kevin Permenter — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

This IDC study provides an assessment of the SaaS and cloud-enabled SaaS sales and use tax automation software for small and midmarket and discusses the criteria that are important for companies to consider when selecting a system.

“The landscape of global business and tax compliance is becoming increasingly complex, driven by the growth in tax regulations and the digital economy. Organizations must embrace technology and ensure effective data management to navigate this challenging environment successfully. The emphasis on indirect taxes and the evolving role of tax technology highlights the need for businesses to stay informed and adaptable, integrating tax into their strategic operations to achieve compliance and operational excellence,” said Kevin Permenter, senior research director, Enterprise Applications at IDC.

IDC TechBrief: Identity Resolution for CX Use Case

Roger Beharry Lall, Lynne Schneider — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

This IDC TechBrief looks at identity resolution for bridging disparate data points and prospecting profiles in a post-cookie environment. Identity resolution is pivotal in today's digital marketing, especially with the decline of traditional cookie-based tracking. It involves consolidating multiple data records into a single identity, using various techniques to achieve accurate customer identification. This process is crucial for delivering personalized experiences and maintaining competitiveness in a privacy-first, post-cookie environment. Currently, ID resolution is extensively adopted across several industries, with significant traction in retail, finance, and healthcare due to their complex data landscapes. The future of ID resolution looks promising, with advancements in AI and ML expected to enhance data matching accuracy and efficiency. In addition, the integration of PETs will address data privacy concerns, ensuring personalized interactions without compromising data security. Organizations must focus on metrics that matter, such as efficiency improvements and enhanced customer experiences, to secure commitment and facilitate ID resolution initiatives. However, comprehensive risk assessment and readiness evaluation are essential before implementation to mitigate potential challenges. Success in ID resolution deployment hinges on selecting scalable technology, fostering collaboration between marketing and IT teams, and blending technical and business expertise.

"In a post-cookie world, mastering identity resolution is not just an option; it's the cornerstone of personalized, privacy-first customer relationships." — Roger Beharry Lall, research director, IDC's Advertising Technologies and SMB Marketing Applications

IDC MarketScape: U.S. UCaaS Service Providers for SMB 2024 Vendor Assessment

Jason Blackwell, Denise Lund — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

This IDC study evaluates UCaaS service providers for the U.S. SMB market. UCaaS is expanding as SMBs intensify their transition from legacy voice solutions to modern, AI-enhanced communication tools. SMB buyers prioritize bundled network services and UCaaS solutions that are easy to use, mobile accessible, and AI integrated. UCaaS providers must differentiate by offering scalable, comprehensive solutions that meet SMB needs, supported by strong customer support and future-proof technology.

"SMBs are rapidly shifting to modern UCaaS solutions, driven by the need for seamless, AI-enhanced communication and collaboration tools," says Jason Blackwell, research director, SMB Communications Services, IDC.

IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Small and Medium-Sized Business 2025 Predictions - Japan Implications

Hitoshi Ichimura — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

本プレゼンテーションは、米国において発行された『IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Small and Medium-Sized Business 2025 Predictions（IDC #US52638024、2024年10月発行）』の内容を基に、国内SMB（Small and Medium-sized Business：中堅中小企業、従業員規模999人以下の企業）IT市場について、ユーザー企業／ITバイヤーが留意すべき、2025年～2030年の予測（Predictions）をまとめたものである。本プレゼンテーションにおいて、ITバイヤーに対する指針と新しいITソリューションの市場への影響度合いなどを提供している。各Predictionの項目では、ITへのインパクト、IDCの提言を提供している。

なお、本プレゼンテーション内の数値は断りなく使用されている場合は世界市場の数値を示しており、国内市場の数値には国内市場であることを明記している。

2025年は、世界的な資源価格高騰、急激な円安も沈静化すると予測され、国内外の経済が堅調に推移するとみているが、国内を見た場合、インフレーション懸念、人材不足、少子高齢化による需要減速がより深刻化すると懸念される。したがって国内企業では生産性向上に加えて、新たなビジネスモデル構築の取り組みがSMBも含めて加速が見込まれる。既存システムの刷新などに加えて、デジタル化／DXの推進の取り組みが各産業分野のSMBで本格化し2025年も国内SMB IT市場は拡大を予測している。

国内SMB IT市場では、上記でも見たようにデジタル化／DX推進の取り組みが市場を牽引するとみている。既存システムのクラウドシフトといったインフラ見直しを目的とした案件が、中小企業（従業員規模100人以上）で拡大する一方で、AI/Generative AI（生成系AI：以下、GenAI）を活用した生産性向上を目的とした案件は従業員規模を問わずニーズ拡大を見込んでいる。さらにAI/Generative AI導入によってデータ基盤整備など周辺のシステムへの波及が見込まれる。ただし、SMBでは人材、スキル不足が課題となっていることから、地場のSIer、販売代理店のサポートが必須となるが、SMB向けの支援体制は遅れている。したがって、IDC Japan、Verticals & Cross Technologiesのシニアリサーチマネージャーである市村仁は、「ITサプライヤーは、SMBにニーズに合致したユースケースで、かつコストを抑えた専用AI/GenAIソリューションの開発を早期に行うと共に地場のSIer、販売代理店がAI/GenAIの提案、導入を円滑に可能にするためのテクノロジー情報、コンサルティングスキルなどを積極的に提供することが求められる」と分析している。

IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Small and Medium-Sized Business 2025 Predictions - Japan Implications - Positioning for Success - Opportunities for Tech Sales and Marketing Leaders

Hitoshi Ichimura — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

本調査レポートは、『IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Small and Medium-Sized Business 2025 Predictions - Japan Implications（IDC #JPJ52157725、2024年12月発行）』に付随して作成されたものである。ITサプライヤーの2つの役職、営業リーダーとマーケティングリーダーに対する提言を提供している。