“Our survey, conducted in December 2011, garnered the opinion of key stakeholders across multiple industries, including ICT. The results of the survey, combined with analysis and commentary from Frost & Sullivan industry experts, have been used to highlight key market trends, hot growth topics, global and regional hot spots, areas of market convergence, and bold predictions for 2012,” says Frost & Sullivan’s Research Manager and Principal Analyst, ICT Europe, Adrian Drozd.

The key themes outlined below feature greatly in Frost & Sullivan’s ICT research programme for 2012. A key driver for the research is the work Frost & Sullivan has been conducting around Mega Trends which are driving new and emerging market segments for key industry participants.

Machine-to-Machine (M2M)

M2M will move beyond its core regulatory driven roots to encompass new vertical market opportunities such as home energy management, logistics, consumer electronics, smart cities and healthcare.

Social Network Infrastructure

Social network infrastructure will drastically change the way that personal data is handled; security and private data protection concerns will come to the fore.

Web-based Platform

In 2012, the foundation will be set for a web-based platform to be the next big player to challenge Google and Apple in the mobile OS space.

Vertical Market Entry

From a strategic perspective, the push for innovation continues unabated – many companies are exploring vertical-market opportunities in this context, particularly in areas like Financial Services & Payments, Energy & Utilities, and Automotive & Transportation. This is bringing convergence back to the forefront. Successful entry of ICT companies as providers is seen in vertical market specific solutions across Europe, e.g. as Smart Energy Technology Enablers.

“Respondents’ primary focus from a geographic perspective is perhaps unsurprisingly on the mature markets of Western Europe and North America,” adds Adrian Drozd. “However, priority growth regions include CEE and Russia – understanding and responding to the unique challenges faced by companies targeting opportunities in these geographies will be key success factors for firms seeking to expand the scope of their operations.”

Frost & Sullivan insight on the four big predictions for 2012 and beyond is available on SlideShare: http://www.slideshare.net/FrostandSullivan/frost-sullivan-what-is-hot-in-the-european-ict-industry

In 2012, Frost & Sullivan ICT has launched a new Vertical Markets research programme in Europe. It is the tool that gives business leaders the understanding upon which to base defensive and offensive vertical strategies. The Growth Partnership Services (GPS) enables you to bring clarity to your vertical market strategies, helping you to target your products and services in a compelling and effective manner. For end users of ICT services across key vertical markets, the program provides valuable insight into the supply-side market, and offers a means by which to benchmark your strategies against the wider industry.

To know more about new Frost & Sullivan ICT programme, as well as about 2012 predictions and to find out where the global hot spots are in the ICT industry, please contact Joanna Lewandowska, Corporate Communications, at [email protected].