As businesses become more dependent on complex IT systems to drive operational improvements, the need to use a diverse range of technologies is growing. Mobility, cloud computing and other emerging solutions are converging to make IT more important and allowing it to offer more potential gains for companies. But as these solutions gain a more prominent role in the enterprise, organizations also have to consider investing in business process management software to streamline background data and application management tasks to enable the full operational gains offered by advanced end-user solutions.
The need to make the most out of available IT systems is especially clear in light of the changing economic conditions in the global technology climate. A recent IDC study found that IT spending around the world will grow by approximately 6 percent during 2012, a slight decline from the 7 percent increase in 2011.
However, this increase is adjusted based on constant currency calculations. In the United States, where the dollar was strong for much of the first half of the year, IT spending will likely rise by just 4 percent for 2012, according to the study. Stephen Minton, vice president in IDC's Global Technology and Industry Research Organization, explained that these spending gains have come despite global macroeconomic concerns that have held back many organizations over the course of the year.
"While this has been a tough year for many IT vendors, the overall performance of the industry in the first half of the year has been healthier than many expected," said Minton. "In particular, the strength of software spending seems to prove that many enterprises have unlocked significant productivity and efficiency improvements. If the economy avoids downside scenarios in the second half of the year, a PC upgrade cycle in 2013 should help to maintain this momentum."
With companies considering a move to Windows 8, which is fueling the predicted PC upgrade cycle, the move toward operating methods that better align traditional methods for computing with mobile, social and cloud technologies is becoming clear. In this environment, BPM software can play a critical part in ensuring companies make the most of the technology that is available to them through process automation that enables end users to use IT systems for operational gains.
