This is convergence segment in which we advise classic IT companies in the

• software market (e. g. vendors of applications and systems software such as BI, CRM, CMS, DRM, E-Commerce, ERP and KMS)
• providers of Software as a Service (SaaS)
• SW download platforms
• hardware market as well as
• systems integration

On the other hand, also work with clients from the consumer electronics industry, who are increasingly introducing products and services (e. g. iTV, set top boxes, DVRs) to the market for which IT components play a crucial role.

1) Software, Hardware, IT-Services Sources: International Data Corporation (IDC), 2007; Skillnet MI, 2008

Selected key trends we see:

Software as a service (SaaS)

SaaS is becoming a viable option in more markets. Until 2012 at least one third of application software will be used as a service instead of acquiring a product licence.

Green-IT

Environmentally-friendly "Green IT" will continue to be at the top of businesses' strategies. Until 2009 buyers preferences of one third of companies will be influenced by environment criteria while investing into new IT. 

Virtualisation 2.0

Virtualization technologies will further improve IT resource utilization, increase the flexibility needed to adapt to changing requirements and workloads and reduce infrastructure costs.

Open Source

Until 2012 approx. 80% of commercial software shall include elements of Open Source software

Real-time business intelligence

BI - getting the right data to the right people to make the right decision - is essential to global competition. Real-time data mining will give leaders a new view of the business landscape.

Customer care empowerment

The future of customer care will be redefined, given mobility and real-time everything. AI - decision support, intelligent agents, data warehousing, real-time capture and customer demographic profiling, will be key elements of customer service.

Smart security management

Security stays on top of the business agenda. Everyone wants it, but willingness to invest in security and to use it is still too low. The future of security as a product (from RFID to 128 bit, to quantum encryption) will be a critical mission for organizations.