Online registration for IDC Directions Boston is now closed. If you would like to attend the event, you are welcome to register onsite.
Digital is now a permanent, yet dynamic fixture in our world. Individuals in schools, companies, and governments are always asking whether there is some digital-based capability or enhancement that could improve lives and desired outcomes. Entire industries look to intelligently leverage data to their advantage. Virtually, all business and IT leaders around the world indicated that they must now operate in a digital-first world, with 78% acknowledging that the COVID-19 pandemic and its lingering effects were the triggers for this change.
Digital-first isn't about picking/prioritizing a particular technology or a business model. It's an organizational aspiration that must apply across customer engagement, hybrid work, unified security, automated operations, and shared business value. To thrive in a digital-first economy, enterprises must have faster access to innovative technologies that scale, to new data services that have an immediate impact on outcomes, and to application deployment methods that ensure trust.
Join us in March for IDC’s 57th annual Directions conference to take advantage of the day’s analyst-led presentations and direct connections. Attendees will gain insight into developing strategies, overcoming specific challenges, and finding paths to success.
Let IDC help ensure you're prepared for what's to come!
IDC Directions Boston 2022
Tuesday, March 8, 2022 -- 7:15 am - 4:00 pm
Boston Convention and Exhibition Center
Registration Rates
Early Bird Rate: (deadline extended to March 1, 2022) $495
Standard Rate: $895
Attention IDC Clients: contact your IDC account executive for your complimentary registration code for your tickets to Directions 2022.
Event Benefits
Get the intelligence and guidance to identify growth opportunities
Connect directly with IDC analysts
Customize your day with 40+ sessions
Network, learn, and share with colleagues and potential business partners
Enjoy post-event, online access to Directions presentations
Who Attends: Directions is attended by executives from ICT companies, technology professionals, and members of the investment community, including those in: Executive management, IT, marketing/business development, product management, strategy and planning, financial services, and more.
An interactive IDC Product Showcase highlighting our latest offerings through a series of detailed demonstrations and conversations with IDC analysts and product specialists.
Showcase Includes:
Knowledge Platform IDC’s new platform integrates our world-class data products with new 3rd party sets to present unparalleled 360 degree views of buyers, partners, vendors and markets in a single & reconciled IDC taxonomy. Our Knowledge Platform offers fresh views into the technology landscape and players in the ecosystems. See a demo today.
Tracker Learn how our leading-edge Tracker® products provide you the market intelligence to stay ahead of the competition. Our trackers provide information on market size, vendor share, and forecasts, using data from over 100 countries. Ask about our new exclusive North American Distribution Tracker, powered by the GTDC.
Spending Guides and Black Books Discover the power of the Spending Guide and Black Book portfolios that are the definitive source for global market forecasts presented in a standard industry and technology taxonomy. Our unparalleled breadth of coverage provides in-depth segmentation of the ICT markets and reveals demand for core and third-platform technologies by geography, industry, use case and company size helping you pinpoint future opportunities for your products.
8:45 AM9:00 AM
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Crawford Del Prete
President, IDC Worldwide
Technology has transformed all aspects of how we work and live. This has had a profound impact on not only the demand for technology services and products, but how experiences will be shaped for generations to come. Please join IDCs President as he kicks off the day with a discussion of the critical issues and trends shaping the technology marketplace.
9:00 AM9:25 AM
The New Fundamentals of Cloud…and What is Possible When Operating at Scale
Rick Villars
Group Vice President, Worldwide Research, IDC
Cloud is playing an ever-greater role as the IT industry platform for operating at scale in the digital-first economy. Adoption of cloud operating models are transforming technology supply chains for silicon, systems, facilities, and core software. Leading cloud service providers are defining and delivering the foundational cloud services used by ISVs and enterprise developers to drive innovation. As digital first drives enterprises to focus more on "outcomes", the long-term focus for all cloud service and services providers is to deliver the scale required by businesses. Join IDC’s GVP for Worldwide Research, Rick Villars, as he examines the key cloud developments that will make it possible for businesses to deliver immersive experiences and peer to peer transactions/data sharing at scale. He will provide guidance on:
• The future of the technology supply chain for delivering trusted cloud capacity and data resources from core to edge
• The role of foundational cloud services for ensuring control and consistency across clouds and industries
• The
implications of relying on Cloud to deliver the scale required for the next
stages of digital/physical convergence
9:25 AM9:55 AM
Thriving in the Digital-First World: How Scale, Trust and Impact Come Together
Meredith Whalen
Chief Research Officer, IDC
Ninety-eight percent of business and IT leaders indicate they are now operating in a digital-first world. For enterprises to thrive, they will need to embrace business and operating models that engender trust, support scale, and provide impactful experiences. To support enterprises in their shift to digital, providers across the entire IT and communication industry will need to embrace change, especially around engagement and support models and the delivery of products and services.
Join Meredith Whalen as she addresses the following:
• How a digital-first world will transform enterprises, consumers and societal structures
• The business models prevailing in key industries and the tech investments needed to carry them out
• The technology markers of momentum for emerging digital technologies
9:55 AM10:20 AM
DX => Digital-First = Sustainable Digital Business - The CEO Imperative in the Digital-First World
Philip Carter
Group Vice President, European Chief Analyst and WW C-Suite Tech Research Lead, IDC
The results are in – IDC’s recent research shows that organizations are closing the digital value gap – in fact there has been a 10% increase in organizations delivering ROI from their digital investments in 2021 as compared to 2019. However, the goalposts have shifted. Digital-first takes digital transformation to a different level – and the definition of value has been redefined. It is not just about the bottom line, or top line. There are also sustainability targets to be met, and organizations need to think about how they deliver ecosystem value at scale.
This session will highlight the action items that the CEOs and their C-suite teams will need to take, as well as the technologies that will most likely have the biggest impact as we look to close the new digital value gap in a digital-first world.
10:25 AM10:45 AM
Analyst 1-to-1 Meetings- Session #1
10:25 AM10:55 AM
Networking Break and IDC Product Showcase
During the break, check out the interactive IDC Product Showcase highlighting our latest offerings through a series of detailed demonstrations and conversations with IDC analysts and product specialists. The IDC Product Showcase is open until 3:00 pm for walk-up service and discussions. All attendees are welcome to stop by without appointment.
10:50 AM11:15 AM
The Future of Enterprise Software Markets
Bob Parker
Sr. VP, Enterprise Applications, Data Intelligence, Services, and Industry Research, IDC
Enterprise software will be at the heart of enterprise innovation and competitiveness in a digital first economy. As a result, growth in this market will be nearly three times that of the rest of the technology market, but it won’t be simply a case of buying more of the same traditional packages and suites. In this session, Bob Parker will take the audience through IDC’s vision for the future enterprise software market through the lens of the “4 Ps” – product, place, price, and promotion. He will offer guidance on how approaches to software acquisition, ecosystems and consumption will change and what both buyers and vendors must do now to be viable in the future.
11:15 AM11:40 AM
Data in Context....Delivering IMPACT at SCALE
Carrie MacGillivray
Group VP & General Manager WW Telecom, Mobility & IoT Research, IDC
Data is the fuel of organizations. As they look to digitally engage with employees, customers, and partners, this data is being used to inform decisions, drive engagement, and secure new business. Join Carrie MacGillivray as she talks about the considerations that enterprises face with it comes to the privacy, integrity, and integration of data into real-time processes, services, and decisions. She will provide examples of how organizations are using data-in-motion to drive intelligence and digitally transform their businesses.
11:40 AM12:05 PM
Key Technologies Enabling the Transformation to Purposeful and Mission-led Sustainable Enterprises
Curtis Price
Program Vice President, Infrastructure Services, IDC
With organizations encountering increased pressure from various stakeholders -including investors, employees, communities, and regulators- to take meaningful action on sustainability issues, technology will play a key role on addressing these concerns. To address these concerns, organizations will look to embed environmental and socially sustainable strategies into their ongoing operations. This will drive increased spending on a range of technologies that provide data-driven insight into key sustainability performance metrics to help create sustainable business value.
12:10 PM1:15 PM
Special Lunch Session - The Future of Consumers in a Digital-First World
Tom Mainelli
Group Vice President, Devices & Consumer Research, IDC
David Myhrer
Research Vice President, Consumer Strategies, IDC
Greg Ireland
Research Director, Consumer Digital Transformation and Multiscreen Video, IDC
Frank Gillett
Research Vice President, Future Consumer, IDC
Kelly Brown
Senior Research Analyst, Consumer Market Model, IDC
Join IDC’s Future Consumer research team to hear more about three new programs focused on addressing our clients’ need to better understand and anticipate the wants, needs, and behaviors of the next generation of consumers over the next 10 years. In this invite-only lunch session, IDC analysts Frank Gillett, Dave Myhrer, Greg Ireland, and Kelly Brown will describe IDC’s Future Consumer framework and its use to drive new research that will provide near-, mid-, and long-term insights into the minds of consumers. During this interactive session, the panel will share early research, listen to feedback, and take questions from attendees. Expect a fun and lively session.
12:10 PM1:15 PM
Lunch
12:10 PM12:30 PM
Analyst 1-to-1 Meetings - Session #2
12:35 PM1:15 PM
Lunch and Learn - The Future of Sales Enablement
Randy Perry
Vice President, Sales Enablement Strategy
Technology providers continue to struggle with many organizational challenges to closing business with their customers – sales reps are not skilled at selling to C-level buyers; there is an inability to position and sell on value; and there are continuous changes to products/services, pricing, and compensation.
In this session, Randy Perry will draw from recently completed research with 350 sales leaders of IT providers to discuss best practices for integrating sales, customer success and value management to transform how technology providers market and sell to their customers and deliver transformative business outcomes.
12:45 PM1:05 PM
Analyst 1-to-1 Meetings - Session #3
1:30 PM2:55 PM
Afternoon Tracks (Parallel Sessions)
Track 1 - Future of Operations
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
The Future of Operations and Making Data Work for You
Leif Eriksen
Research Vice President, Future of Operations, IDC
The Future of Operations and Making Data Work for You
Operations has been largely immune to the disruptive impact of digital technology…until now. Over the past couple of years more organizations have been forced to find ways to run their operations remotely, to accept the need to put operational data in the cloud, and to embrace a more distributed form of decision making in operations. We're on the cusp of an era of greater predictability and performance in operations and it will all hinge on the effective aggregation, normalization, and contextualization of operational data. In this session you’ll learn how to make data work for you.
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
Edge as the Runway for Digital-First Operations
Jennifer Cooke
Research Director, Edge Strategies, IDC
Edge as the Runway for Digital-First Operations
As organizations seek to transform operations, they are looking to take best practices from modernized, cloudlike resources and uncover new ways to innovate. Edge IT is rapidly embracing autonomous operations and serving as the “runway” to accelerate digital-first business and operations.
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
IT/OT Convergence and the Path to the Future of Operations
Jonathan Lang
Research Manager, Worldwide IT/OT Convergence Strategies, IDC
IT/OT Convergence and the Path to the Future of Operations
The Future of Operations is data-driven and resilient, remotely capable, and collaborative. These capabilities require organizations to integrate IT and OT – not just the technology, but the organization and process as well. Yet combining these two worlds requires an understanding of the requirements in operations, the value of collaboration, and the pitfalls to avoid along the way. In this session you will learn what is driving this convergence and where to better equip your organization to navigate the path to the Future of Operations.
Track 2 - Future of Connectedness
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
The Roadmap to Connectedness - Technology Investment Strategies to Accelerate Agility, Innovation and Profitable Business Outcomes
Paul Hughes
Research Director, Future of Connectedness, IDC
The Roadmap to Connectedness - Technology Investment Strategies to Accelerate Agility, Innovation and Profitable Business Outcomes
Keeping people, processes, applications and “things” connected is now a focal point for enterprises as they adapt to more distributed work environments. Join Paul Hughes as IDC discusses how large enterprises are prioritizing investments in wireless, cloud, collaboration and edge technologies with connectedness as the linchpin to making this a reality.
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
Telecom: A Renaissance – Finding Value - What it Means and Why Now
Daryl Schoolar
Research Director, Worldwide Telecommunications, IDC
Telecom: A Renaissance – Finding Value - What it Means and Why Now
Businesses consider their telecom services providers important partners they look to digital technologies to improve their internal processes and drive customer engagement. However, for telecommunication service providers to meet those expectations they must make significant changes to their own networks, internal infrastructure, and business processes. Join Daryl Schoolar as he discusses the significant opportunity arising for software vendors, hardware providers, systems integrators, and an emerging class of solution providers.
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
The Future of the Connected Enterprise Edge
Brandon Butler
Research Manager, Enterprise Networks, IDC
The Future of the Connected Enterprise Edge
Organizations are preparing for a new normal at the edge of their enterprise network. This has many angles. A wireless-first approach to connectivity across the enterprise, including remote and branch sites. The emergence of Private 5G across enterprise and industrial deployments. Edge connectivity to multi-cloud platforms delivering optimized App and User experiences. ML & AI-enhanced observability, assurance and automation platforms that scale as needed. Connectivity for remote and hybrid workers via Branch of One architectures have become strategic to network architectures. This session highlights how various industries are transforming their networked edges to ensure secure, high-quality customer and employee experiences.
Track 3 - Future of Customers & Consumers
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
Rethinking the Digital-First Experience
Sudhir Rajagopal
Research Director, Future of Customers and Consumers, IDC
Rethinking the Digital-First Experience
A digital-first mindset has taken root with both customers and brands. Enterprises have started to capitalize on digital innovations that deliver customer experiences characterized by speed and convenience and driven by customer data and insights. The future customer experience will be hyperpersonal, immersive, intuitive, and prescriptive. Brands will need to navigate how to maintain a natural, human connection, at scale, in a digital-first world through consent, trust, empathy, and shaped by their customer’s purpose. This session will discuss innovations such as analytics, AI, AR/VR, human-machine augmentation, among others, in a customer centric context and how enterprises can use these to rethink their digital-first experience.
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
The Digital-First CMO
Laurie Buczek
Research Vice President, CMO Advisory Practice, Digital Strategy and Customer Experience, IDC
The Digital-First CMO
We have entered a new era of marketing, one that is engaging a digital first buyer, holds a more strategic role to drive business growth, requires the orchestration of digital and physical channels and harnesses emerging technology and connected data to power intelligent omnichannel interactions. Marketing led content and digital engagement is contiguous across the customer journey, shifting marketing to move beyond the mirage of the funnel and into whole journey marketing practices. The opportunity before CMOs is to fortify a marketing organization that can thrive in a world where digital is first, as well as, digital always and everywhere.
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
Reimagining Content Management Strategies for a Digital-First Organization
Marci Maddox
Research Director, Digital Experience Strategies, IDC
Reimagining Content Management Strategies for a Digital-First Organization
As organizations embrace a digital-first world, the customer journey will move beyond targeting digital content at the beginning stages and adding human interaction at the end. Catering to the hyper digital consumer requires dynamic content to harmonize with physical elements, conveniently handing-off and reconnecting channels, throughout the journey. Brands are comfortable optimizing digital content for one or two channels; orchestrating content across multiple channels and elevating the customer experience at an accelerated pace are on the winds of change. This session will explore the future of content from the inclusion of multi-sensory elements to designing for equity, trust and connected relationships.
Track 4 - Future of Digital Infrastructure
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
How the Future of Digital Infrastructure is Transforming Strategic Vendor Relationships
Mary Johnston Turner
Research Vice President, Future of Digital Infrastructure, IDC
How the Future of Digital Infrastructure is Transforming Strategic Vendor Relationships
Learn how the enterprise pivot to outcomes-driven digital infrastructure sourcing, consumption, autonomous operations and governance is changing the way customers engage with strategic vendors and service providers. Hear lessons learned from deep dive conversations with award winning industry leaders and analysis of data from IDC's ongoing Future of Digital Infrastructure Agenda program surveys. IT buyers, line of business leaders, digital infrastructure systems and software vendors and cloud service providers will leave better prepared to align investments with top priority business KPIs.
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
Digital Resilience in the Era of AI
Phil Goodwin
Research Director, Infrastructure Systems, Platforms and Technologies, IDC
Digital Resilience in the Era of AI
Ransomware and malware are Tier 1 concerns of business and IT management alike, making cyber resiliency an imperative for every organization. This session discusses the key elements of cyber resiliency, the five best-practices for assured recovery and the critical role AI plays in avoiding the consequences of cyber-attack and staying ahead of the cyber criminals.
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
Accelerate Business Outcomes with Automation, Observability, and AIOps While Improving Resiliency
Stephen Elliot
Vice President of Research, DevOps, IDC
Accelerate Business Outcomes with Automation, Observability, and AIOps While Improving Resiliency
Modern IT Operations, SRE, and DevOps teams are making solid progress in delivering business value through a combination of automation, AIOPs, Observability, and strong leadership and team execution. As the adoption of new platforms, multiple clouds, and the continued use of classic and modern application architectures remain for the foreseeable future, managing change and reducing complexity becomes paramount to business outcomes. This session will discuss the market and customer dynamics that are driving business outcomes for modern IT operations.
Track 5 - Future of Intelligence
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
Enterprise Intelligence: Why, What, and How?
Chandana Gopal
Research Director, Future of Intelligence, IDC
Enterprise Intelligence: Why, What, and How?
Do you know how much of an impact higher enterprise intelligence really has on business outcomes? Organizations that invest in enterprise intelligence not only see improved quantitative benefits across financial, customer, and employee outcomes, they are also able to realize qualitative benefits in knowledge use and sharing, decision-making and process efficiencies. The risks of not investing in enterprise intelligence are too high. Learn why greater intelligence matters, what constitutes it, and how to create a roadmap for sustained success based on greater enterprise intelligence.
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
Who’s on Your Intelligence Team?: Augmenting Capacity to Learn With AI and Service Partners
Jennifer Hamel
Research Manager, Analytics and Intelligent Automation Services, IDC
Who’s on Your Intelligence Team?: Augmenting Capacity to Learn With AI and Service Partners
The potential for AI to super-charge all aspects of enterprise intelligence has been firmly established. Demand for AI-infused analytics and automation solutions continues to rise. What is less certain is whether organizations can incorporate new enterprise intelligence capabilities effectively into their decision making processes. Learn about the important and evolving role of the service provider in helping customers not only clear early obstacles on the road to greater enterprise intelligence, but establish strategies and capabilities that will drive long-term success of enterprise intelligence teams.
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
In Data We Trust
Stewart Bond
Research Director, Data Integration and Data Intelligence Software, IDC
In Data We Trust
Data informs strategy, experiences, and operations in a digital-first world. Data is the fuel for enterprise intelligence that helps them decide how to deal with headwinds, sidewinds, and take advantage of tailwinds. Why then, is there such a low level of organizational trust in data? Attend this session to learn about how you can help organizations implement a data control plane in the context of DataOps, to improve data trust for better experiences, strategy and operations in a digital-first world.
Track 6 - Future of Digital Innovation
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
How Enterprises Can Drive Digital Innovation Like a Digital Native
Nancy Gohring
Research Director, Future of Digital Innovation, IDC
How Enterprises Can Drive Digital Innovation Like a Digital Native
Many enterprises today are ramping up the capacity to build revenue-driving software products and services, re-invent internal processes through digital innovation or transform software development efforts that have gotten stale. These enterprises may be older but not necessarily wiser than companies that started out oriented around a digital product or service. Cloud native organizations have developed technologies and processes that enterprises can learn from. Join us as we explore the the results of a recent survey into digital innovation practices employed by digital natives and translate those approaches into recommendations that enterprises can use to build their software innovation capacity.
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
Foundational Cloud Services Driving Modern and Edge Application Development
Lara Greden
Research Director, Platform as a Service (PaaS), IDC
Foundational Cloud Services Driving Modern and Edge Application Development
Digital innovators are using foundational cloud services to deliver modern and edge applications because these cloud services enable fast access to innovative technologies along with the scalability, security, and governance capabilities needed in the digital first world. Learn what platform areas of foundational cloud services are growing fastest and why it is important for organizations as they transform themselves into software innovation factories. Hear about the drivers for foundational cloud services adoption, maturity trends, and how innovative development and DevOps teams are using application development and deployment capabilities to improve the velocity of application delivery for application modernization, cloud native applications and edge applications.
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
The Revolution of AI-Assisted Development
Arnal Dayaratna
Research Vice President, Software Development, IDC
The Revolution of AI-Assisted Development
In recent years, developer tools and technologies have featured the increasing integration of AI/ML technologies. This presentation examines the technical, operational, compliance-related and ethical consequences of the increased use of AI/ML in development for technology suppliers. The talk provides technology suppliers with insight into trends related to the deepened integration of AI/ML into developer tools. Additionally, the talk outlines key considerations of enterprises and buyers regarding the consumption of AI/ML-based developer tools. One of the key topics of the presentation is how developer tools transform the developer experience and how this transformation affects both suppliers and buyers.
Track 7 - Future of Trust
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
Industry’s #1 Trust Perception Index
Amita Potnis
Research Director, Future of Trust, IDC
Industry’s #1 Trust Perception Index
Various business functions like security, privacy, compliance, environmental sustainability are measured by distinct & independent score cards or benchmarks. Today, the digital-first approach to business, brings to bear new concepts such as ethics, digital sovereignty, data locality, transparency, customer success and a strong ecosystem to improve an organization’s profitability, brand and reputation. IDC’s Trust Perception Index aims to holistically measure the perceived Trust levels of cloud providers across various functions listed giving vendors and customers a new way of vetting its provider without having to look at multiple different scorecards.
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
Managing Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) Risk to Support Business Resilience
Amy Cravens
Research Manager, Governance, Risk, and Compliance, IDC
Managing Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) Risk to Support Business Resilience
The ESG landscape is rapidly evolving with shifting prioritization within the enterprise and increasing expectations from its stakeholders coupled with emerging global regulations around ESG disclosures. This developing era of sustainability is providing the impetus for companies to improve ESG risk management in a more intrinsic, integrated, and auditable manner. Join Amy Cravens for a discussion on how incorporating ESG risk into an overarching GRC strategy can support enterprise business resilience initiatives.
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
XDR - The Must-Have Security Tool in a Digital-First World
Christopher Kissel
Research Director, Security & Trust Products, IDC
XDR - The Must-Have Security Tool in a Digital-First World
Security operations center (SOC) analysts are taxed to meet the demands of an expanding network surface, investigating alerts, a motivated adversary, and changing tools and tactics used to find Indicators of compromise. The eXtended detection and response (XDR) cybersecurity software stack could be the panacea that brings in telemetry from endpoint, logs, web/email, and threat intelligence on one dashboard. The open questions remain about what else should go onto the stack, if best of breed point products can be integrated successfully, and what can be done within compliance frameworks.
Track 8 - Future of Work
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
Technology and Services for a Hybrid-First Work Experience
Amy Loomis
Research Director, Future of Work, IDC
Technology and Services for a Hybrid-First Work Experience
As organizations adapt to a hybrid-first world of work they must continue to adjust technology deployments, work policies and practices. Hybrid-first work models require calibrating technology investments in physical workplaces and digital workspaces designed to bridge between on-site and remote resources. They require rethinking what processes, tasks and workflows can be automated to support digital engagement for employees and clients alike. Hybrid-first models require new ways of building and nurturing organizational culture from recruiting talent to enabling leadership. In this presentation, Amy Loomis will explore how industry leaders are capitalizing on hybrid-first models to drive innovation and consistent growth.
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
Intelligent Digital Workspaces: Anywhere, Any Device, Any Worker
Holly Muscolino
Group VP, Content Strategies and the Future of Work, IDC
Intelligent Digital Workspaces: Anywhere, Any Device, Any Worker
An intelligent digital workspace (IDW) is an ecosystem that offers an integrated user experience, augmented by cognitive technologies. It provides a secure, personalized, and federated view of the resources that a worker requires from anywhere via any device. What are the benefits to both workers and the business? How does an organization approach the development and deployment of an IDW? What technologies are required to support an effective digital workspace? What is the market opportunity for vendors and providers? This session explores this new way of working that provides a secure and productive experience while delivering critical resources to any worker, anywhere.
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
Enterprise Service Management: Today and the Future
Shannon Kalvar
Research Manager, IT Service Management and Client Virtualization, IDC
Enterprise Service Management: Today and the Future
Enterprises have increasingly adopted "service management" to address cross team requests for standard actions and information. This trend will accelerate over the next five years, evolving as the interactions of data, people, process, partners, and technology become increasingly complex and unpredictable. This session lays out the dynamics that will drive those changes and how we can prepare ourselves for the coming service-oriented future.
Track 9 - Future of Industry Ecosystems
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
A Journey Across Industry Ecosystems: Learning from End User Plans & Best Practices
Jeffrey Hojlo
Research Vice President, Future of Industry Ecosystems & Product Innovation Strategies, IDC
A Journey Across Industry Ecosystems: Learning from End User Plans & Best Practices
In 2021, IDC conducted its Future of Industry Ecosystems global survey to 1250 senior level executives, as well as an IDC PeerScape. Overall, we learned that innovation, quality, customer engagement, and improved operations are critical reasons why industry ecosystems are expanding and working in an open, iterative way within and outside industries. Join us for this session where we will explore the differences in industry ecosystem approach and investment across multiple industries including manufacturing, construction, retail, healthcare, financial services, and government.
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
A New Model for Financial Services - Capitalists, Matchmakers, and Engagers
Jerry Silva
Vice President, IDC Financial Insights
A New Model for Financial Services - Capitalists, Matchmakers, and Engagers
IDC projects that by 2023, 25% of industry organizations will utilize venture capital subsidiaries and funding from industry partners to accelerate ecosystem scale, finance green initiatives, and spark new innovation. As one considers the capital an industry ecosystem has, including people, assets, and operations, the financial services industry will play a critical role as the catalyst of scale and innovation through supporting new initiatives, entities, and business models. Join IDC analyst Jerry Silva as he explores the Future of Industry Ecosystems through the lens of the financial services industry.
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
Transportation Acceleration: Government a Critical Element of Automotive Industry Ecosystem Success
Ruthbea Yesner
Vice President, Government Insights, Education and Smart Cities, IDC
Transportation Acceleration: Government a Critical Element of Automotive Industry Ecosystem Success
For continued innovation in the automotive industry, manufacturers work with their industry ecosystems to support design, supply, and development, content and service delivery, regulation, and smart city connectivity. Governments at the federal, state, and local level may play the most critical role in each of these areas, as vehicles become more connected, electrified, and autonomous. Join us for a discussion of current developments, future plans, and best practices in the automotive industry ecosystem.
Track 1 - Future of Operations
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
The Future of Operations and Making Data Work for You
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
The Future of Operations and Making Data Work for You
Operations has been largely immune to the disruptive impact of digital technology…until now. Over the past couple of years more organizations have been forced to find ways to run their operations remotely, to accept the need to put operational data in the cloud, and to embrace a more distributed form of decision making in operations. We're on the cusp of an era of greater predictability and performance in operations and it will all hinge on the effective aggregation, normalization, and contextualization of operational data. In this session you’ll learn how to make data work for you.
Leif Eriksen
Research Vice President, Future of Operations, IDC
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
Edge as the Runway for Digital-First Operations
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
Edge as the Runway for Digital-First Operations
As organizations seek to transform operations, they are looking to take best practices from modernized, cloudlike resources and uncover new ways to innovate. Edge IT is rapidly embracing autonomous operations and serving as the “runway” to accelerate digital-first business and operations.
Jennifer Cooke
Research Director, Edge Strategies, IDC
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
IT/OT Convergence and the Path to the Future of Operations
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
IT/OT Convergence and the Path to the Future of Operations
The Future of Operations is data-driven and resilient, remotely capable, and collaborative. These capabilities require organizations to integrate IT and OT – not just the technology, but the organization and process as well. Yet combining these two worlds requires an understanding of the requirements in operations, the value of collaboration, and the pitfalls to avoid along the way. In this session you will learn what is driving this convergence and where to better equip your organization to navigate the path to the Future of Operations.
Jonathan Lang
Research Manager, Worldwide IT/OT Convergence Strategies, IDC
Track 2 - Future of Connectedness
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
The Roadmap to Connectedness - Technology Investment Strategies to Accelerate Agility, Innovation and Profitable Business Outcomes
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
The Roadmap to Connectedness - Technology Investment Strategies to Accelerate Agility, Innovation and Profitable Business Outcomes
Keeping people, processes, applications and “things” connected is now a focal point for enterprises as they adapt to more distributed work environments. Join Paul Hughes as IDC discusses how large enterprises are prioritizing investments in wireless, cloud, collaboration and edge technologies with connectedness as the linchpin to making this a reality.
Paul Hughes
Research Director, Future of Connectedness, IDC
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
Telecom: A Renaissance – Finding Value - What it Means and Why Now
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
Telecom: A Renaissance – Finding Value - What it Means and Why Now
Businesses consider their telecom services providers important partners they look to digital technologies to improve their internal processes and drive customer engagement. However, for telecommunication service providers to meet those expectations they must make significant changes to their own networks, internal infrastructure, and business processes. Join Daryl Schoolar as he discusses the significant opportunity arising for software vendors, hardware providers, systems integrators, and an emerging class of solution providers.
Daryl Schoolar
Research Director, Worldwide Telecommunications, IDC
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
The Future of the Connected Enterprise Edge
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
The Future of the Connected Enterprise Edge
Organizations are preparing for a new normal at the edge of their enterprise network. This has many angles. A wireless-first approach to connectivity across the enterprise, including remote and branch sites. The emergence of Private 5G across enterprise and industrial deployments. Edge connectivity to multi-cloud platforms delivering optimized App and User experiences. ML & AI-enhanced observability, assurance and automation platforms that scale as needed. Connectivity for remote and hybrid workers via Branch of One architectures have become strategic to network architectures. This session highlights how various industries are transforming their networked edges to ensure secure, high-quality customer and employee experiences.
Brandon Butler
Research Manager, Enterprise Networks, IDC
Track 3 - Future of Customers & Consumers
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
Rethinking the Digital-First Experience
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
Rethinking the Digital-First Experience
A digital-first mindset has taken root with both customers and brands. Enterprises have started to capitalize on digital innovations that deliver customer experiences characterized by speed and convenience and driven by customer data and insights. The future customer experience will be hyperpersonal, immersive, intuitive, and prescriptive. Brands will need to navigate how to maintain a natural, human connection, at scale, in a digital-first world through consent, trust, empathy, and shaped by their customer’s purpose. This session will discuss innovations such as analytics, AI, AR/VR, human-machine augmentation, among others, in a customer centric context and how enterprises can use these to rethink their digital-first experience.
Sudhir Rajagopal
Research Director, Future of Customers and Consumers, IDC
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
The Digital-First CMO
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
The Digital-First CMO
We have entered a new era of marketing, one that is engaging a digital first buyer, holds a more strategic role to drive business growth, requires the orchestration of digital and physical channels and harnesses emerging technology and connected data to power intelligent omnichannel interactions. Marketing led content and digital engagement is contiguous across the customer journey, shifting marketing to move beyond the mirage of the funnel and into whole journey marketing practices. The opportunity before CMOs is to fortify a marketing organization that can thrive in a world where digital is first, as well as, digital always and everywhere.
Laurie Buczek
Research Vice President, CMO Advisory Practice, Digital Strategy and Customer Experience, IDC
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
Reimagining Content Management Strategies for a Digital-First Organization
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
Reimagining Content Management Strategies for a Digital-First Organization
As organizations embrace a digital-first world, the customer journey will move beyond targeting digital content at the beginning stages and adding human interaction at the end. Catering to the hyper digital consumer requires dynamic content to harmonize with physical elements, conveniently handing-off and reconnecting channels, throughout the journey. Brands are comfortable optimizing digital content for one or two channels; orchestrating content across multiple channels and elevating the customer experience at an accelerated pace are on the winds of change. This session will explore the future of content from the inclusion of multi-sensory elements to designing for equity, trust and connected relationships.
Marci Maddox
Research Director, Digital Experience Strategies, IDC
Track 4 - Future of Digital Infrastructure
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
How the Future of Digital Infrastructure is Transforming Strategic Vendor Relationships
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
How the Future of Digital Infrastructure is Transforming Strategic Vendor Relationships
Learn how the enterprise pivot to outcomes-driven digital infrastructure sourcing, consumption, autonomous operations and governance is changing the way customers engage with strategic vendors and service providers. Hear lessons learned from deep dive conversations with award winning industry leaders and analysis of data from IDC's ongoing Future of Digital Infrastructure Agenda program surveys. IT buyers, line of business leaders, digital infrastructure systems and software vendors and cloud service providers will leave better prepared to align investments with top priority business KPIs.
Mary Johnston Turner
Research Vice President, Future of Digital Infrastructure, IDC
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
Digital Resilience in the Era of AI
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
Digital Resilience in the Era of AI
Ransomware and malware are Tier 1 concerns of business and IT management alike, making cyber resiliency an imperative for every organization. This session discusses the key elements of cyber resiliency, the five best-practices for assured recovery and the critical role AI plays in avoiding the consequences of cyber-attack and staying ahead of the cyber criminals.
Phil Goodwin
Research Director, Infrastructure Systems, Platforms and Technologies, IDC
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
Accelerate Business Outcomes with Automation, Observability, and AIOps While Improving Resiliency
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
Accelerate Business Outcomes with Automation, Observability, and AIOps While Improving Resiliency
Modern IT Operations, SRE, and DevOps teams are making solid progress in delivering business value through a combination of automation, AIOPs, Observability, and strong leadership and team execution. As the adoption of new platforms, multiple clouds, and the continued use of classic and modern application architectures remain for the foreseeable future, managing change and reducing complexity becomes paramount to business outcomes. This session will discuss the market and customer dynamics that are driving business outcomes for modern IT operations.
Do you know how much of an impact higher enterprise intelligence really has on business outcomes? Organizations that invest in enterprise intelligence not only see improved quantitative benefits across financial, customer, and employee outcomes, they are also able to realize qualitative benefits in knowledge use and sharing, decision-making and process efficiencies. The risks of not investing in enterprise intelligence are too high. Learn why greater intelligence matters, what constitutes it, and how to create a roadmap for sustained success based on greater enterprise intelligence.
Chandana Gopal
Research Director, Future of Intelligence, IDC
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
Who’s on Your Intelligence Team?: Augmenting Capacity to Learn With AI and Service Partners
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
Who’s on Your Intelligence Team?: Augmenting Capacity to Learn With AI and Service Partners
The potential for AI to super-charge all aspects of enterprise intelligence has been firmly established. Demand for AI-infused analytics and automation solutions continues to rise. What is less certain is whether organizations can incorporate new enterprise intelligence capabilities effectively into their decision making processes. Learn about the important and evolving role of the service provider in helping customers not only clear early obstacles on the road to greater enterprise intelligence, but establish strategies and capabilities that will drive long-term success of enterprise intelligence teams.
Jennifer Hamel
Research Manager, Analytics and Intelligent Automation Services, IDC
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
In Data We Trust
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
In Data We Trust
Data informs strategy, experiences, and operations in a digital-first world. Data is the fuel for enterprise intelligence that helps them decide how to deal with headwinds, sidewinds, and take advantage of tailwinds. Why then, is there such a low level of organizational trust in data? Attend this session to learn about how you can help organizations implement a data control plane in the context of DataOps, to improve data trust for better experiences, strategy and operations in a digital-first world.
Stewart Bond
Research Director, Data Integration and Data Intelligence Software, IDC
Track 6 - Future of Digital Innovation
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
How Enterprises Can Drive Digital Innovation Like a Digital Native
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
How Enterprises Can Drive Digital Innovation Like a Digital Native
Many enterprises today are ramping up the capacity to build revenue-driving software products and services, re-invent internal processes through digital innovation or transform software development efforts that have gotten stale. These enterprises may be older but not necessarily wiser than companies that started out oriented around a digital product or service. Cloud native organizations have developed technologies and processes that enterprises can learn from. Join us as we explore the the results of a recent survey into digital innovation practices employed by digital natives and translate those approaches into recommendations that enterprises can use to build their software innovation capacity.
Nancy Gohring
Research Director, Future of Digital Innovation, IDC
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
Foundational Cloud Services Driving Modern and Edge Application Development
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
Foundational Cloud Services Driving Modern and Edge Application Development
Digital innovators are using foundational cloud services to deliver modern and edge applications because these cloud services enable fast access to innovative technologies along with the scalability, security, and governance capabilities needed in the digital first world. Learn what platform areas of foundational cloud services are growing fastest and why it is important for organizations as they transform themselves into software innovation factories. Hear about the drivers for foundational cloud services adoption, maturity trends, and how innovative development and DevOps teams are using application development and deployment capabilities to improve the velocity of application delivery for application modernization, cloud native applications and edge applications.
Lara Greden
Research Director, Platform as a Service (PaaS), IDC
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
The Revolution of AI-Assisted Development
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
The Revolution of AI-Assisted Development
In recent years, developer tools and technologies have featured the increasing integration of AI/ML technologies. This presentation examines the technical, operational, compliance-related and ethical consequences of the increased use of AI/ML in development for technology suppliers. The talk provides technology suppliers with insight into trends related to the deepened integration of AI/ML into developer tools. Additionally, the talk outlines key considerations of enterprises and buyers regarding the consumption of AI/ML-based developer tools. One of the key topics of the presentation is how developer tools transform the developer experience and how this transformation affects both suppliers and buyers.
Arnal Dayaratna
Research Vice President, Software Development, IDC
Track 7 - Future of Trust
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
Industry’s #1 Trust Perception Index
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
Industry’s #1 Trust Perception Index
Various business functions like security, privacy, compliance, environmental sustainability are measured by distinct & independent score cards or benchmarks. Today, the digital-first approach to business, brings to bear new concepts such as ethics, digital sovereignty, data locality, transparency, customer success and a strong ecosystem to improve an organization’s profitability, brand and reputation. IDC’s Trust Perception Index aims to holistically measure the perceived Trust levels of cloud providers across various functions listed giving vendors and customers a new way of vetting its provider without having to look at multiple different scorecards.
Amita Potnis
Research Director, Future of Trust, IDC
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
Managing Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) Risk to Support Business Resilience
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
Managing Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) Risk to Support Business Resilience
The ESG landscape is rapidly evolving with shifting prioritization within the enterprise and increasing expectations from its stakeholders coupled with emerging global regulations around ESG disclosures. This developing era of sustainability is providing the impetus for companies to improve ESG risk management in a more intrinsic, integrated, and auditable manner. Join Amy Cravens for a discussion on how incorporating ESG risk into an overarching GRC strategy can support enterprise business resilience initiatives.
Amy Cravens
Research Manager, Governance, Risk, and Compliance, IDC
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
XDR - The Must-Have Security Tool in a Digital-First World
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
XDR - The Must-Have Security Tool in a Digital-First World
Security operations center (SOC) analysts are taxed to meet the demands of an expanding network surface, investigating alerts, a motivated adversary, and changing tools and tactics used to find Indicators of compromise. The eXtended detection and response (XDR) cybersecurity software stack could be the panacea that brings in telemetry from endpoint, logs, web/email, and threat intelligence on one dashboard. The open questions remain about what else should go onto the stack, if best of breed point products can be integrated successfully, and what can be done within compliance frameworks.
Christopher Kissel
Research Director, Security & Trust Products, IDC
Track 8 - Future of Work
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
Technology and Services for a Hybrid-First Work Experience
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
Technology and Services for a Hybrid-First Work Experience
As organizations adapt to a hybrid-first world of work they must continue to adjust technology deployments, work policies and practices. Hybrid-first work models require calibrating technology investments in physical workplaces and digital workspaces designed to bridge between on-site and remote resources. They require rethinking what processes, tasks and workflows can be automated to support digital engagement for employees and clients alike. Hybrid-first models require new ways of building and nurturing organizational culture from recruiting talent to enabling leadership. In this presentation, Amy Loomis will explore how industry leaders are capitalizing on hybrid-first models to drive innovation and consistent growth.
Amy Loomis
Research Director, Future of Work, IDC
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
Intelligent Digital Workspaces: Anywhere, Any Device, Any Worker
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
Intelligent Digital Workspaces: Anywhere, Any Device, Any Worker
An intelligent digital workspace (IDW) is an ecosystem that offers an integrated user experience, augmented by cognitive technologies. It provides a secure, personalized, and federated view of the resources that a worker requires from anywhere via any device. What are the benefits to both workers and the business? How does an organization approach the development and deployment of an IDW? What technologies are required to support an effective digital workspace? What is the market opportunity for vendors and providers? This session explores this new way of working that provides a secure and productive experience while delivering critical resources to any worker, anywhere.
Holly Muscolino
Group VP, Content Strategies and the Future of Work, IDC
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
Enterprise Service Management: Today and the Future
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
Enterprise Service Management: Today and the Future
Enterprises have increasingly adopted "service management" to address cross team requests for standard actions and information. This trend will accelerate over the next five years, evolving as the interactions of data, people, process, partners, and technology become increasingly complex and unpredictable. This session lays out the dynamics that will drive those changes and how we can prepare ourselves for the coming service-oriented future.
Shannon Kalvar
Research Manager, IT Service Management and Client Virtualization, IDC
Track 9 - Future of Industry Ecosystems
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
A Journey Across Industry Ecosystems: Learning from End User Plans & Best Practices
1:30 PM - 1:55 PM
A Journey Across Industry Ecosystems: Learning from End User Plans & Best Practices
In 2021, IDC conducted its Future of Industry Ecosystems global survey to 1250 senior level executives, as well as an IDC PeerScape. Overall, we learned that innovation, quality, customer engagement, and improved operations are critical reasons why industry ecosystems are expanding and working in an open, iterative way within and outside industries. Join us for this session where we will explore the differences in industry ecosystem approach and investment across multiple industries including manufacturing, construction, retail, healthcare, financial services, and government.
Jeffrey Hojlo
Research Vice President, Future of Industry Ecosystems & Product Innovation Strategies, IDC
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
A New Model for Financial Services - Capitalists, Matchmakers, and Engagers
2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
A New Model for Financial Services - Capitalists, Matchmakers, and Engagers
IDC projects that by 2023, 25% of industry organizations will utilize venture capital subsidiaries and funding from industry partners to accelerate ecosystem scale, finance green initiatives, and spark new innovation. As one considers the capital an industry ecosystem has, including people, assets, and operations, the financial services industry will play a critical role as the catalyst of scale and innovation through supporting new initiatives, entities, and business models. Join IDC analyst Jerry Silva as he explores the Future of Industry Ecosystems through the lens of the financial services industry.
Jerry Silva
Vice President, IDC Financial Insights
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
Transportation Acceleration: Government a Critical Element of Automotive Industry Ecosystem Success
2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
Transportation Acceleration: Government a Critical Element of Automotive Industry Ecosystem Success
For continued innovation in the automotive industry, manufacturers work with their industry ecosystems to support design, supply, and development, content and service delivery, regulation, and smart city connectivity. Governments at the federal, state, and local level may play the most critical role in each of these areas, as vehicles become more connected, electrified, and autonomous. Join us for a discussion of current developments, future plans, and best practices in the automotive industry ecosystem.
Ruthbea Yesner
Vice President, Government Insights, Education and Smart Cities, IDC
3:10 PM4:00 PM
Closing Keynote - Three Steps to the Future
Benedict Evans
Independent Technology Analyst and Visionary
The most exciting themes in technology today are transformative visions for 2025 or 2030: crypto, web3, VR, metaverse… and then everything else. Meanwhile, hundreds of start-ups take ideas from the last decade and deploy them over and over in one industry after another. And trying to keep up, the old economy faces waves of disruption from ideas we first talked about in the 1990s.
Flexibility and proximity are hallmarks of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Its convenient location - just eight minutes from Logan Airport, accessible to major roadways and public transportation - makes the BCEC an easy day trip, in the heart of the Boston Seaport District.
The City of Boston no longer requires proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to enter the convention center.
Masks are no longer required within the convention center.
Accommodations
Aloft Boston Seaport District
401-403 D Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210 – (617) 530-1600
For your convenience, we have reserved a limited number of rooms at the Aloft Boston Seaport District. Special conference rates will be offered through February 21, 2022, based on availability. Note: the block may fill prior to that date, based on demand. Make a reservation by clicking the link below or by calling (877) 462-5638 and referencing: IDC Directions 2022. Conference Room Rate: USD $209+
International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,300 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading media, data and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com.