From insights into high growth technology solutions like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR) to trends in skills gaps and the realignment of services portfolios, the 2023 TD SYNNEX Direction of Technology Report provides a glimpse into the future of the technology products and services that all businesses rely upon.

The newly released Report also assesses the Technology Business Partner Ecosystem’s outlook, business performance, business models and expectations for the next year and beyond.

It can be a lot to take in, so to probe deeper of the Report’s key findings, we sought reactions from a diverse panel of subject matter experts within TD SYNNEX to offer insights on what these trends mean for the industry at large.

AI/ML Surge in the Market-

In just one year, partners offering AI/ML solutions grew from 4% in 2022 to 29% in 2023 — a staggering 625% increase from 2022.

Marc Moons, Sr. Director Corp Strategy & Transformation, emphasizes, “This is a sustained shift comparable to the shift to cloud.”

Clay Davis, VP-Global Data, AI & IoT Solutions: AI is applicable to all industries and market segments. This is not a bubble but a deeper shift. AI will be embedded in every piece of technology going forward.”

Ed Morales, Global VP-Security & High-Growth Business Development, on security implications: “AI is both being leveraged as a discreet solution and as a technology enabler in areas like Threat Detection and Network Security.”

Talent Gaps in Cybersecurity

Channel partners are anticipating a shift in the challenges they face between now and 2025, and there’s a skills gap in cybersecurity expertise.

The cybersecurity industry is wrestling with a talent deficit, most acutely felt by smaller firms.

Ed Morales suggests: “To mitigate this, TD SYNNEX offers specialized cybersecurity services for partner capabilities expansion.”

Marc Moons warns: “This gap is a huge risk; companies will pay the price for a lack of skills.”

Sergio Farache, Chief Strategy Officer, offers a solution: “A mix of enablement and ML/AI products can help.”

Kaye McMillan, SVP-Sales Development & Communities, encourages collaborations: “Talent is available within the ecosystem.”

Jessica McDowell, SVP-Business Development and Security Strategy, provides a reality check: “Resource shortages could hinder incident responses, increasing damages. Automation can’t fully replace human expertise.”

The New Dynamics of IT Spending

According to Canalys, 73% of IT spending will be partner-driven in 2023.

Sergio Farache explains: “This is not a game of one vendor or one partner anymore. It’s an ecosystem play. Customers need support to cover the skill gap and deliver in proper time to market. This situation reinforces the need for organizations that play the orchestration role, facilitating the quality integration and exchange of its ecosystem.”

The Fluidity of Business Models

Changing business models are shaping the tech landscape in profound ways.

Cheryl Day, VP-New Vendor Acquisition, Global Solutions, speaks to benefits for emerging companies: “Leveraging TD SYNNEX’s global footprint brings efficiency.”

Marc Moons notes: “Multiple business models will co-exist, increasing complexity for partners.”

Sergio Farache adds: “Data and IP are the new gold. Services play a crucial role in expanding the benefits and enabling an agile operational mode.”

Additional Key Insights on the DoT

Ed Morales emphasizes: “Security, networking, and data analytics are key, and AI is revolutionizing how information is leveraged.”

Jessica McDowell is concerned that “only 59% of partners are selling security,” attributing this to the cybersecurity skills gap.

Marc Moons advises caution: “Surveys often capture aspirations rather than practical plans.

Joe Pittillo, Senior Vice President NA, Services & Engineering, finds the Direction of Technology 2023 Report ‘perfectly aligned’ with his team’s current strategic plans, especially as “77% of respondents are optimistic about revenue growth in key sectors like security and cloud.”

For a more comprehensive view, you’re invited to explore all of the key findings from the Direction of Technology Report 2023.