Many analysts have already published or are in the processof sharing their predictions for the upcoming year. While predictions varysomewhat the underlying theme to all is how companies and industries areresponding to last year’s economic instability and promoting recovery efforts –with many recommendations on how to do so.

There are varying accounts of the condition of IT budgets,with IDC Insights predicting that global IT spending will see a 2-4% increase returning IT budgets aggregately to 2008 levels. However, Gartner is not as optimistic and thinks that many organizations will be forced to maintain IToperations at the decreased budget levels of 2009. As a result, the challengesand strategic directives cited by both differ. Gartner remains dedicated toinnovation across most if not all industries which allows them to both find creative solutions to business challenges under budget restraints and build a solid foundation for future growth once budgets finally increase. IDC Insights emphasizes recovery and more importantly transformation via increased cloud computing,mobile device integration, and a shifting focus from large enterprises to small and medium size organizations. It also notes that technology marketing budgetswill finally unfreeze creating additional opportunities within each sector to maximizerecovery and growth efforts. 

Each of the following industries will be addressed in greater depth in future entries throughout the year, but here are some basic summaries of theprimary trends that Gartner and IDC Insights note are facing the Banking, Healthcare(Provider), and Federal Government Industries.

Banking

• Garter predicts that banks remain resistant to official innovation budgets and plans that will ultimately hinder their ability to grow.
• IDC emphasizes the need for banks to strengthen relationships with customers andpartners and to employ customer-centricity measures and in a time where revenuemeans everything and unsatisfied customers have a myriad of options outside of their current banks.
• IDC also notes that banks will continue to bolster their public images in attempt to regain public trust
• IDC cites banks’ commitments to using new technologies and markets to differentiate themselves in risk management initiatives
  

Healthcare

• Electronic HealthRecords (EHR) remain a primary concern for the industry, yet Gartner predicts slow implementation of EHR in small physician practices with only 15% adopting them by 2015.
• IDC cites business intelligence as the primary IT investment for Healthcare Providers for the year including upgrading existing BI for improved real-time functionality.
• IDC differs from Gartner on EHR adoption by predicting that in addition to a natural increase in EHR adoption, that the ARRA grants and potential penalties for those who refuse will cause 25% of Americans to have EHRs in 2010 with 60% having EHRs by 2016.
  • It is important to note that Garnter places its emphasis on small physician practices (3-5 physicians) because approximately 60% of American practices are small. IDC looks at aggregate adoption which may account for some of the difference in estimated EHR adoption percentages. However, the important thing to note is that generally IDC predicts fairly successful EHR adoption while Gartner remains generally pessimistic.
    

Federal Government

• Gartner cites transparency through providing increased public data online as a primary Government IT objective for 2010
  • There is a gap between existing enterprise information management systems/efforts and the ability to incorporate external data despite external data now being a primary focus as social media and other online sources provide direct access to constituent opinions and actions. 
  • With the heighted focus on external data – regardless of its effectiveness – increases Government information risk and the need for increased information security.

• IDC notes four key areas of general Government focus for 2010:
  
  • Investment optimization through improving operations and maximizing IT investments.
    
  • Heightened expectations for Government as citizens looks to Government for guidance, improved services, increased interactions/information exchange, and solutions to challenges such as the economy.
  • Government's increasing "business" role as it assumes greater regulatory and oversight powers in attempt to stabilize and improve the economy.
  • Economic recovery is a primary objective across organizations and functions - especially those receiving stimulus money or additional budgetary funds.