FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, IDC Energy Insights hosted a Web conference, IDC Energy Insights Predictions 2014: Worldwide Utilities, highlighting market predictions for the year ahead. Featuring analysts Robert Parker, Roberta Bigliani, Jill Feblowitz, Gaia Gallotti, and Marcus Torchia, the session provided organizations with insight and perspective on long-term industry trends along with new themes on the horizon. The Predictions Web Conference Series is designed to help company leaders capitalize on emerging market opportunities and plan for future growth. A replay of today's Web conference will be available within 24 hours. To access the replay, please visit http://bit.ly/IDCEI_WWUtilities_Predictions2014.
The IDC Energy Insights Top 10 Predictions for 2014 are:
- Prediction 1 - Utilities will hunt for flexibility and innovation in their operations and business models.
- Prediction 2 - At high impact, microgrids will force business model change. At minimum, service opportunities will require it and distribution adaptation.
- Prediction 3 - CIOs will devote more time and attention to working closely with line of business executives on cybersecurity, enlarging their scope of action.
- Prediction 4 - Utility CIOs' role will evolve, driven by IT and operational technologies convergence.
- Prediction 5 - Eroding utility revenues and the increase of capital and operating costs will force utilities to develop analytics strategies.
- Prediction 6 - Adaptive utilities will embrace dynamic resiliency to survive the ecosystem changes.
- Prediction 7 - Utilities will need to seek new paths for data management to propel smart grid innovation.
- Prediction 8 – Utilities' multi-channel customer management will call for platform and architecture investments.
- Prediction 9 - Gamification will gain traction in utilities to create consumer engagement, loyalty, and trust.
- Prediction 10 - Global utilities IT spending will surpass $59 billion in 2014.
"Despite regional nuances, the globally utilities industry is in the midst of a major paradigm shift. Flexibility and innovation are the 'new normal' and digital technologies and distributed generation are the cornerstone of the transformation across the entire value chain," said Roberta Bigliani, Associate Vice President and Head of EMEA, IDC Energy Insights. "In 2014, utilities will invest in analytics, mobility, cloud, social media, and cybersecurity, while CIOs will adopt alternative sourcing models to enable business agility and reduce IT investments. Leadership and governance of OT and IT integration will be crucial to avoid undermining innovation."
For additional information about these predictions or to arrange a one-on-one briefing, please contact Sarah Murray at 781-378-2674 or sarah@attunecommunications.com. Reports are available to qualified members of the media. For information on purchasing reports, contact insights@idc.com; reporters should email sarah@attunecommunications.com.
About IDC Predictions
A hallmark of IDC's offering for three decades, the annual Top 10 Predictions reports provide our outlook on the IT market, across industries, for the coming year. During the next 60 days, IDC will publish dozens of Top 10 Predictions documents and host more than 50 events looking ahead to 2014. Please visit http://www.idc.com/predictions2014 for a complete listing.
About IDC Energy Insights
IDC Energy Insights assists energy businesses and IT leaders, as well as the suppliers who serve them, in making more effective technology decisions by providing accurate, timely, and insightful fact-based research and consulting services. Staffed by senior analysts with decades of industry experience, our global research analyzes and advises on business and technology issues facing the utility and oil and gas industries. International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology market. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology, media, research, and events company. For more information, please visit http://www.idc.com/energy, email info@idc-ei.com, or call 508-935-4400. Visit the IDC Energy Insights Community at http://idc-insights-community.com/energy.
