SIIA Releases Latest Industry Trends Report

One of the Software & Information Industry Association’s (SIIA) latest industry trend reports says the next 12 months will show whether the drive to diversify customers in the global market is an opportunity for all or a series of hurdles that only a few can overcome. The report is one of three trends from SIIA’s annual online report, “Building the Net: Trends Shaping the Digital Economy.”

The Trends Report 2001 provides an overview of the rapidly changing software and information industry. The report examines areas of rapid and dramatic change by considering market demographics, consumer behavior, evolving business models, relevant policy initiatives and emerging technologies. The report is accessible at www.trendsreport.net.

“The digital economy is no longer America’s playground. The contraction of the U.S. economy and the changing demographics of the Internet underscores the need for companies to diversify outside the comfort and predictability of home markets,” reads the executive summary of Cashing in on Global Customers. “International markets promise new customers, as well as greater efficiencies in manufacturing, distribution, management, R&D and marketing, with potential benefits to the company bottom line.”

But, the report warns, ” while global diversification of production and sales can break static cost structures and better leverage limited resources, it requires investment and commitment that many companies are currently hesitant to make.”

The other two titles of the newly released trends are: Assessing a Wireless Future and Driving Innovation Through Software. The executive summary of these reports can be found at www.trendsreport.net/summary/summary.html

“The Trends Report 2001 is a useful resource and guide to the trends shaping the digital economy,” said Ken Wasch, president of the Washington, D.C.-based SIIA. “The products and services provided by our industry are forever changing the way we learn, shop, conduct business, interact with computers and access reliable information. The Trends Report 2001 analyzes these changes in real time, and provides a 12-month perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing the industry and consumers worldwide.”

Ongoing analysis of the trends will be supported thorough SIIA regional events, publications, market research and white papers.

The SIIA is the principal trade association of the software code and information content industries. SIIA represents more than 1,000 leading high-tech companies that develop and market software and electronic content for business, education, consumers and the Internet.