CV_Winter_21

A ccording to a mid-year analysis by Inter- national Data Corp. (IDC), the global information technology industry lost revenue last year. Citing Covid-19 pandemic forced cutbacks and defer- ment of major investments, the research consultancy now expects IT technology global revenue for 2020 to be around $4.8 trillion, compared to an original estimate of $5.2 trillion. Moving forward, IDC projects the technology industry will bounce back in 2021 and is on pace to reach $5 trillion. Despite predictions of a return to solid growth, however, the environment is more uncertain than ever, as several factors well outside the realm of technology could determine what will happen. On the upside, technology firms plan to capitalize on the ongoing digitalization of business. Addition- ally, they are applying the lessons they learned in 2020 and are placing the spotlight on their internal operations, including sales and marketing. Clearly, 2020 was not a good year for many small businesses that comprise most of the channel. Some firms took serious economic hits because of the pandemic. Some By Bruce Christian CHANNEL MANAGEMENT Channel Temperature Check IT channel partners optimistic for 2021 despite uncertainties 46 CHANNEL V ISION | January - February, 2021