Worldwide spending on industry cloud in the finance industry (banking, insurance, and securities and investment services combined) is expected to reach $3.2 billion in 2017, which represents an increase of 26% over 2016, according to IDC. The research giant says it expects the amount to more than double in 2021, amassing total worldwide spending of $7.2 billion.
The manufacturing industry (both discrete and process combined) was a larger spender on industry cloud though, relative to its finance counterpart, according to IDC. This industry is expected to spend $4.2 billion in 2017 and achieve year-over-year growth of 23% in 2018. Similar to the finance industry, the manufacturing industry is also set to double its 2017 spending in 2021, reaching a total of $9.2 billion by then.
However, these two industries pale in comparison when matched against the spending might of healthcare providers, says IDC. It forecasts healthcare providers across the world will spend a total of $8.9 billion in adopting industry cloud solutions during 2017. This industry is expected to increase spending by 20% year over year in 2018 on industry cloud solutions; by 2021, the same industry will spend a staggering $17.6 billion on industry cloud.
On a geographic basis, the United States leads by a very large margin in terms of industry cloud adoption across the three industries combined, according to IDC. It is expected to hit 73% of worldwide spend in 2017, followed by Western Europe at 12%. The U.S. is also forecast to grow 20% year over year in 2018 while the other regions are expected to achieve 27% annual growth in the same period. The three industries are expected to spend a total of $330 million on industry cloud solutions in China in 2018, representing very strong growth of 39% year over year.
The industry cloud market is young, yet growing fast, with double-digit growth expected to continue for at least the next five to ten years. Healthcare continues to lead the charge from a vertical standpoint, but many industries have picked up momentum, including manufacturing, financial services, and even government, says IDC.
The industry cloud market represents one of the largest vertical growth opportunities for technology vendors and professional services firms through 2025, according to the research company.
[Image courtesy: IDC]