From the analysis of the ranking compiled by the Global Innovation Index for 2017, we learned positive news for our country which, although overall it ranks 29th (out of 127 total), observing the parameters examined in detail, rather positive notes emerge. One of these involves the ICT sector. A trend confirmed by the data presented in the new Assintel Report 2018, the research on the ICT and Digital market in Italy, realized by Assintel -National Association of ICT and Digital Enterprises- with CFMT together with the independent research company IDC Italia, based on a sample of more than a thousand companies. A project that has been sponsored by the Digital Italy Agency with the partnership of Confcommercio and the contribution of six member companies firmly convinced that innovation is an essential guide for the evolution of our system (Adfor, Cast, Erna Hitech, Gruppo 36, M-cube and Present).
According to the Assintel Report 2018, the Italian Information Technology market in the current year has confirmed a positive trend with a growth of +3.1%; likewise, for the year to come, prospects are positive and growth is estimated at +1.9%. Companies’ spending is more and more oriented towards Digital Transformation and, if on one hand Third Platform technologies and Innovation Accelerators undergo an expansive effect, on the other hand traditional ICT products and services are subject to contraction. Within the report, according to an analysis divided by macro-segments, it emerges a growth of +6.2% for Hardware, +3% for Software, +1.5% for IT Services and -1.6% for Telecommunication Services.
The outlook for 2018 is positive: 48% of expected ICT spending will be made by large enterprises; almost a quarter of investments will be made by the Manufacturing sector in view of Industry 4.0, followed by the Finance sector. The same companies interviewed show confidence towards 2018, a large part of them in fact (40% of medium-sized companies and 60% of large companies) foresee a growth in turnover. Despite this optimism, however, it should be noted that not all Italian companies are culturally ready to ride the Digital Transformation: 45% of them remain anchored to the efficiency and rationalization of IT resources that, in ordinary management, drains energy and resources to be dedicated to the new paradigms. It is as if these companies decide to remain within their comfort zone, which is, however, endangered by the proximity of the transformation.
Sara Avanzi