Latest Reports

• Monetizing Service Provider Platforms: Holy Grail or a Case of Chasing a Chimera

  It has been nearly two decades since I first started observing the technology industry as a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed young analyst. The one thing that has stayed constant in these years has been the service providers’ quest to bring nonlinearity to their revenues. Providers understand that hiring young engineers and staffing them on repeatable client projects quickly can be profitable, but costs are increasing and margins are shrinking. At that time, nonlinear revenue streams, which keep the costs stable even as revenue grows rapidly, will protect the operating margin of the provider and enable it to move to a new trajectory, as highlighted three years ago in our research byte - Leading with Products: The Next Stage in the Evolution of IT Service Providers. The holy grail for this nonlinearity has always been having a set of licensed software products. Leaders in service provider firms have looked on wistfully as product companies deliver stellar results quarter over quarter with exceptional margins. They then go on the quest to see how they can also build some product/platform revenue streams.

  August, 2024

• The Importance of Being Data-Driven in Implementing an IT VMO within the Public Utilities Sector

  Imagine a city where electricity never falters, water flows reliably, and communications are seamless. Behind these essential services lies a complex web of vendors—ensuring everything runs smoothly yet managing these crucial partnerships is no small feat. Public utilities face a daunting task: maintaining the reliability of their extensive vendor networks. In an era demanding uninterrupted service and stringent oversight, the stakes couldn't be higher. This is where an information technology vendor management office (IT VMO) emerges as a game-changer. Strategically centralized, the IT VMO orchestrates every facet of vendor interaction, from contract initiation, execution, and implementation to ongoing steady state management By capitalizing on data-driven methods, the IT VMO revolutionizes vendor management. Cutting-edge analytics and real-time insights elevate performance tracking and streamline contract oversight, propelling utilities toward operational excellence.

  July, 2024

• Unleashing the Potential of Your Technology Training Investment: 5 Strategies for a Seamless Implementation

  Investing in cutting-edge technology is only half the battle. Without proper training, even the most advanced solutions can fall short of their potential. Implementing new technology affects an organization’s people, culture, and workflows. To maximize these investments, developing effective training programs is crucial. Tailored training based on roles and responsibilities builds confidence and reduces resistance to change. This leads to several key benefits such as enhanced user competence and confidence, optimal technology utilization, reduced errors and downtime, and high user adoption. These benefits translate to cost savings, higher return on investment, improved employee satisfaction and retention, and better compliance and security, reducing legal risks. Understanding these critical benefits sets the foundation for maximizing technology investments.

  July, 2024

• Transforming the Future of Organizations: Insights from Industry Leaders on Digital Operating Models

  The current tech landscape is characterized by surging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things. But though technological advancements and digital operating models promise significant benefits, challenges exist. These obstacles affect organizations' efforts in achieving true agility and digital transformation. How then can businesses effectively navigate them to achieve their desired outcomes? This article delves into the key points from a panel discussion at Avasant’s recent Empowering Beyond Summit (EBS) 2024.

  July, 2024

• IT Spending Trends in Life Sciences 2024

  The life sciences sector is at a pivotal juncture, with IT spending trends reflecting a strategic embrace of digital technologies to address a myriad of challenges and opportunities. The past year has been marked by a concerted push toward digital transformation, with companies investing heavily in IT to drive innovation, streamline operations, and enhance patient outcomes.

  July, 2024

• The Key to Navigating the Tides of Disruptive Technologies

  Navigating the intersection of sustainable growth and disruptive technology is a critical challenge for modern businesses. At Avasant’s Empowering Beyond Summit (EBS), industry leaders Cynthia McKenzie, Tembi (Sibanda) Hommes, and Anish Sethi, moderated by Chitra Rajeshwari, explored strategies to balance innovation with sustainability. They discussed aligning operations with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring global equity in technology access, and maintaining ethical standards. As McKenzie noted, the key is to harness technology to meet business goals without compromising ethical, social, and environmental responsibilities.

  July, 2024

• Developing Vendor Management into a Mature Organization

  A vendor management organization (VMO) is a function that oversees and coordinates all aspects of vendor management, such as contract negotiation, financial management, relationship management, risk mitigation, performance monitoring, and collaboration. A VMO can provide significant benefits to an organization, such as cost savings, improved vendor performance and innovation, enhanced compliance and risk management, and better alignment of vendor strategy with business objectives.

  July, 2024

• Navigating Change in Consensus-Oriented Sectors: A Humanitarian Organization’s Journey to AMS Transformation

  In the realm of humanitarian work, consensus is not just a principle; it is a practice that underpins every strategic decision. This report presents a case study of a global humanitarian organization's journey through a transformative awards management system project, highlighting the pivotal role of change management in achieving consensus across a diverse array of stakeholders.

  July, 2024

• Making The “Factory of the Future” a Reality with Strategic Tech Investments

  The traditional factory floor is on the cusp of a revolution. By strategically investing in emerging technologies, manufacturers can bridge the gap between the present and the “Factory of the Future,” a vision of intelligent automation, interconnected machines, and data-driven platforms. In this research byte, we explore the significance of implementing transformation initiatives to accelerate the creation of the “Factory of the Future,” examining service providers’ role in enabling IT/OT convergence, platform implementations, and Industry 4.0 technologies. We highlight the efforts of one such service provider, Hitachi Digital Services, based on its analyst and advisor event held in June 2024.

  July, 2024

• Cloud Customer Relationship Management Suites 2024 RadarView™

  The Cloud Customer Relationship Management Suites 2024 RadarView™ assists organizations in identifying strategic partners for CRM adoption by providing a detailed analysis of key cloud CRM vendors across product maturity, enterprise adaptability, and innovation road map. The 46-page report highlights top supply-side trends in the cloud CRM suites space and Avasant’s viewpoint.

  July, 2024

• Enhancing Productivity and Customer Experience for Enterprises through Generative AI Capabilities in CRM

  Enterprises are increasingly adopting cloud CRM platforms to enhance sales productivity, improve customer service efficiency, and gain deeper insights. CRM vendors are integrating generative AI capabilities across the CRM value chain to automate tasks, generate predictive insights, and facilitate skill development while forming strategic partnerships to augment customer engagement and operational efficiency. Industries such as manufacturing, retail, and high-tech show high adoption rates, driven by the need for better production planning, omnichannel experiences, and personalized marketing. The adoption of CRM suites is leading enterprises to significant revenue growth through enhanced upselling and cross-selling opportunities.

  July, 2024

• Cloud Customer Relationship Management Suites 2024 Market Insights™

  The Cloud Customer Relationship Management Suites 2024 Market Insights™ assists organizations in identifying important demand-side trends that are expected to have a long-term impact on any CRM adoption project. It also provides insights into the key use cases addressed by enterprises across various industries.

  July, 2024