Through 2022, 50% of large organizations will have failed to unify engagement channels, resulting in a disjointed and siloed customer experience that lacks context. To remedy this, research shows that organizations should deliver frictionless experiences to create more connected experiences for customers to further drive e-commerce.

Gartner found that 44% of consumers report that their highest expectations of companies is for them to ensure their own policies and practices align with a cause, but only 37% of CMOs report taking that action. 24% of consumers say one of brands’ top two priorities should be donating money to cause, yet 46% of CMOs report donations as a top action taken.

The ongoing pandemic and lockdowns have exploded social media usage and increased traffic in online shopping platforms, forcing many brands to embrace emerging technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR) and virtual stores to remain competitive and engaged with their customers.

Gartner data shows the total number of skills required for a single job has been increasing by 10% year-over-year since 2017. Furthermore, one in three skills in an average 2017 job posting in IT, finance or sales are already obsolete. Emerging skills gaps due to ongoing business disruption and rapidly evolving needs have accelerated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Demand for home computers, tablets and games consoles helped consumer electronics revenues to reach $358.5B in 2020, finds new research from Strategy Analytics. According to the report, shipments of home computers and tablets rose 11% last year, while revenues increased by 17%, as millions found themselves needing new devices for working and learning from home.

The most topical theme within gaming is the launch of next generation consoles by Sony and Microsoft in Q4 2020. Both vendors have seen significant, excess demand for their hardware, selling out of available stock just minutes after launch, highlighting the intensity of consumer interest in gaming as an outlet for both entertainment and socialisation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

5G networks could create 4.5 million jobs in the US and add $1.5 trillion to the GDP, according to a new report from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), commissioned by CTIA. BCG’s analysis shows that 5G will contribute to employment growth by enabling innovation that will transform all sectors of America’s economy across cities and communities of all sizes.

With 5G deployments proliferating, the importance of network slicing for the enterprise domain is set to grow. According to new research by global tech market advisory firm ABI Research, the demand for 5G slicing will be propelled primarily by heavy industry verticals.

Major shifts in macro factors, such as customer behaviors and government regulations, and in micro factors, including organizational strategy and policy, have substantially shortened HR leaders’ time horizons when planning for the future.

Although retail banks globally have reacted to the COVID-19 crisis with speed, dexterity, and purpose while remaining true to their environmental, social, and corporate governance goals—further challenges await in their quest to enhance revenues, upgrade digital capabilities, and build a strong, stable future, according to a new report by BCG.

Smart sensors with advanced artificial intelligence (AI)- and machine learning (ML)-based data analytics platforms are on the rise in the global water sector as they require minimal maintenance or human interference. The pandemic has further highlighted the sector’s technological need following disruptions and a labor shortage during lockdowns.

Worldwide IT spending is projected to total $3.9 trillion in 2021, an increase of 6.2% from 2020, according to the latest forecast by Gartner, Inc. Worldwide IT spending declined 3.2% in 2020 as CIOs prioritized spending on technology and services that were deemed “mission-critical” during the initial stages of the pandemic.

The worldwide Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) broadband services market has been growing rapidly, supplying broadband access to homes and businesses. 5G network deployments are expected to accelerate FWA market growth in the years to come.

New research by the World Economic Forum and BCG shows that it’s possible to decarbonize major global supply chains with readily available technologies at low end-to-end costs. The commitment to tackling climate change is accelerating in all sectors of society, with net-zero pledges from companies, cities, and states doubling in the past year.

Frost & Sullivan finds the SCM market is expected to reach $2.2 billion in total web and email security revenues by 2024. Cloud-based deployments are projected to lead growth as more enterprises move their emails to the cloud and rely on the internet, including remote working, especially during COVID-19.

Automakers of all types have largely aligned on touchscreen and voice control as the primary modalities for infotainment HMI. While touch-and-voice-centric HMI has achieved a majority market penetration in all major markets, China in particular spearheads voice as the primary modality in many verticals.

Worldwide end-user spending on wearable devices will total $81.5 billion in 2021, an 18.1% increase from $69 billion in 2020, according to the latest forecast from Gartner, Inc. The rise in remote work and increased interest in health monitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic was a significant factor driving market growth.

Interest in integrating connected health devices with telehealth consultations rises dramatically among those who have experienced COVID-19 symptoms, 71% of whom find such an approach appealing.

73% of chief marketing officers (CMOs) report they will rely on existing customers to fuel growth in 2021, rather than looking to develop new markets, shows a new survey by Gartner. 39% of CMOs plan to increase sales of existing products to existing customers, while 34% will introduce new products to existing customers in 2021.

Nontraditional competitors – especially digital giants, such as Amazon and Alibaba, as well as startups – are reshaping industries through disruptive innovation, the ability to uncover and address unknown customer needs and very agile supply chains.,