According to the International Data Corporation (IDC)’s Worldwide ICT Spending Guide: Enterprise and SMB by Industry, ICT spending in Europe will reach $1,2-rillion in 2023 and will surpass $1,4-trillion by 2026, posting a 5,4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the 2021-2026 period.
Overall European ICT spending is forecast to grow by 4,2% year on year in 2023, driven by the Scandinavian countries and the UK. On the other hand, sanctions imposed by the EU and the growing number of companies leaving Russia will result in the Russian ICT market shrinking by 9,4% year on year.
“While organisations in most countries are anticipating a recession this year, the outlook for European ICT spending remains positive,” says Zsolt Simon, senior research analyst at IDC. “They regard technology investments as a means of gaining a competitive edge, as well as providing solutions for many of the challenges arising in an extremely volatile market.”
Software will be the fastest-growing technology group on a year-on-year basis, and investments in cloud-first solutions will drive the overall technology market in Europe in 2023. Software has proven to be highly resilient to the storm of disruptions currently impacting the continent, supported by rapid growth in the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) platforms and software quality and lifecycle tools, as well as application platforms, integration and orchestration middleware, and collaborative applications.
Despite inflationary pressures and economic recession in several European countries, investments in IT and business services, telecom services, and hardware will continue to increase as well. However, the device market has suffered from the declining purchasing power of consumers, supply chain constraints, and cost-saving measures among enterprises, which is expected to result in an overall decline in device spending of 2,2% in 2023.
The consumer sector will continue to be the largest source of ICT spending in 2025, representing almost 28% of total European ICT revenue, although year-on-year growth will remain below 1%, as the increasing cost of living is taking a toll on consumer purchases.
Banking and discrete manufacturing will take the second and third positions, respectively, in the ranking of highest spending industries, accounting for a combined market value of over $210-billion.
Entities in the banking sector will be focusing on accelerating automation to support core banking services, database management, and resource management. AI will be leveraged to offer more flexible and more personalized services for improved customer experiences.
Manufacturing companies will invest in technologies to ensure cost-effective operations, handle increasing amount of data, and reduce pressure on staff through robotics and process automation robotic process automation (RPA).
With the rate (and ingenuity) with which technology and communication is constantly evolving, you’d be forgiven for thinking that social media, robo-calling, and chat bots would dethrone email, but think again.
By David Lichtenstein, co-founder and CEO of Superhuman Sales
Good old, reliable email remains the lifeline of our professional world and the king of lead generation and sales – slamming the competition when it comes to generating quality leads.
Here are five (very good) reasons why.
Huge user base
It’s simple math. With 4,1-billion email users worldwide in 2021, and an expected increase to 4,6-billion by 2025, and almost 319-billion emails sent and received every day (according to one of Radicati Group Email Market’s latest reports), email’s user base is simply much larger than any other platform.
Compare it to Facebook, the largest social platform, and its 1,96-billion daily active users (approximately), and Twitter’s paltry 217-million; and then add it to the fact that unlike cold calling and text messages, emails have the potential for reaching an extended global audience too. It’s a no-brainer.
Primed prospects
Email users are more likely to be in a buying frame of mind when they open their inbox. Why? Unlike on social media, they expect to receive offers this way – they are already primed to receive and act on offers.
With social platforms users are generally there to catch up with friends, browse content, and play games, so your message is more often than not crowded out by the latest hashtag (#) or cat beatboxing. With email, you can train your customers to expect offers from you and teach them about your value on a regular basis.
In addition to this, you can easily collect and store valuable customer data by using email. This information can then be used to create highly targeted, personalised forms of communication that help your business increase its conversion rates.
High attention ratio
Email users are 14 times more likely to see your message than those on social media – this has been researched, you don’t need to take our word for it. Email is designed to reach the exact subscriber you intend it to, at virtually no cost.
Meanwhile, social media platforms can limit who sees your posts or ads, and make you pay for every click. Email is also non-invasive and persistent, giving you more face time with your prospects and a greater chance of getting your message across.
With emails, you can also follow-up with curated, personalised messages with just a few sentences and clicks. These follow-up emails help engage prospects, build relationships with current customers, and even track conversions.
Personal and professional
Emails are like letters on the internet, simulating a personal connection far better than reels, stories, status updates or tweets. They are also easy to automate and track, making them a more professional choice for building real business relationships.
Take it personally – email offers businesses the flexibility and control to customise their messages, and craft emails that are tailored to individual customer needs, preferences, and interests.
Advanced automation
While social media marketing can be automated using online tools, much of the technology is still in beta compared to email. Email is a mature, robust option that offers an effective, intuitive and seemingly more natural way of building relationships with your current customers, and importantly with new prospects, at scale.
Don’t underestimate the power of email in your next sales and lead generation journey – it’s the digital age’s answer to cold calling (without demoralising your sales team).
Our client in the Logistics Industry, based in the Johannesburg area is currently looking to employ IT Technician. An awesome career opportunity awaits. Requirements:
Diploma of 1 to 3 years / NQF level 6.
Skills and experience required.
Up to 4 years’ experience in IT Networks and Information Security and related.
Eskom as announced that chief financial officer (CFO) Calib Cassim will act as group chief executive (GCE) with full delegation of authority with immediate effect and until further notice.
Cassim was appointed as Eskom’s CFO in November 2018 after serving as acting CFO from July 2017. He is a registered Chartered Accountant (SA) and holds a master’s degree in Business Leadership (MBL). He has over 20 years of service in Eskom.
Outgoing GCE Andre de Ruyter has left the utility with immediate effect.
The news comes as Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana announced new debt relief measures in his budget speech on 22 February 2023.
Government will provide Eskom with R254-billion of debt relief, by:
* Advancing R78-billion in FY 2023/24, R66-billion in FY 2024/25, and R40-billion in FY 2025/26, in each case in the form of subordinated, interest-free loans (convertible into equity) which must be used by Eskom to cover certain capital and interest payments on Eskom’s existing financial indebtedness; and
* Government directly taking over R70-billion of Eskom’s debt portfolio in FY 2025/26, in each case, subject to Eskom satisfying or complying with certain conditions.
Eskom on Saturday announced that it is positioning itself to play an important role in supporting the development of the electric mobility (e-mobility) sector in South Africa.
Speaking at Africa’s Green Economy Summit held in Cape Town this week, Eskom Group Executive for Distribution, Monde Bala, stated that the organisation has pledged to be part of the anchor market for electric vehicles (EVs) to make a positive contribution towards local market stimulation.
The power utility said it has joined the list of local sponsors for the E-Fest Electric with a R2.1 million sponsorship, which will profile Eskom’s microgrid technology and mobility solution.
Africa’s first consumer clean energy and electric event, E-Fest Electric, is taking place in Cape Town this weekend.
Eskom said that it has already submitted the residential time-of-use (ToU) charging tariff to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) for approval.
This will enable EV owners to achieve significant savings when using the off-peak and standard periods to charge their cars, encouraging EV uptake and boosting electricity sales.
“In line with Eskom’s Just Energy Transition (JET) vision of achieving ‘net zero’ carbon emissions by 2050, we are also aiming for zero emissions from our sizeable fleet of vehicles. We aspire to replace our entire fleet of conventional vehicles with electric vehicles by 2040,” said Bala.
Eskom said it is undertaking a pilot project to introduce electric vehicles, utility and passenger, to the Eskom fleet, which amounts to approximately 13 000 vehicles.
Plans are underway to begin the process of converting the rest of the Eskom fleet to electric where possible.
“We will soon seek suitable partners for the rollout of public charging stations at Eskom sites across the country through the applicable procurement processes. In time, these should be accessible to the public,” said Bala.
Eskom has also announced that it is deploying microgrids that will also support the growth of eMobility in the country, while also serving as an alternative solution to addressing load shedding.
Eskom currently has four sites being powered by the microgrid technology in Ficksburg (Free State), Lynedoch (Western Cape) and Swartkop (Northern Cape), supplying renewable electricity to over 200 households, a police station and businesses in that area.
According to the power utility, it is conducting feasibility studies at more than 80 project sites around the country.
Most of the identified sites will use solar photovoltaic (PV) as the primary source of energy and lithium ion batteries for storage capability.
Other sites will use micro wind turbines and small-scale hydro turbines, based on the most optimum energy source available.
The rollout of these projects will be phased over the next five years.
The deployment of the microgrids in Swartkop and Ficksburg serves as a proof of concept in using of microgrids in remote areas that are difficult to reach or expensive to electrify through the conventional means of electrification.
“On the other hand, the installation of the microgrid at Lynedoch residential area demonstrates how this technology can be used to complement the grid, serving as a backup electricity supply to households, hospitals and other facilities. As an added advantage, microgrids contribute to reducing carbon emissions because they use renewable sources,” the power utility said.
Battery storage, according to Eskom, will also be a key enabler of eMobility.
Eskom is making notable progress in this regard, with the construction of the first energy storage facility under Eskom’s flagship Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) project having already begun at the Elandskop BESS site in KwaZulu-Natal in December last year.
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has on Friday outlined several priorities for the provincial government, including creating employment which he believes will lead to a flourishing province.
Delivering the province’s 2023 State of the Province Address (SOPA), Mabuyane said the Eastern Cape will this year focus on creating an inclusive economy; providing quality healthcare and education; rolling out basic services such as water, roads, and electricity, and building safer communities.
“This is our contract with the people of our province,” he told the assembly.
The Premier described the year 2022 as “eventful”.
“We had times of hardship but also moments of wonder, that brought great joy in our hearts because they were an affirmation that our efforts of building the Eastern Cape we want are on track.”
Despite these setbacks – including the demise of the 21 youngsters at Enyobeni Tavern – he said he considered 2022 as a year of tremendous progress.
“Our story of good progress begins on the economy because it is the key piece in the puzzle of poverty, unemployment and inequality that we are trying to solve.”
Economy and jobs
The provincial economy is on a path to recovery, after the devastating period of the COVID-19 pandemic, recording growth in the Eastern Cape gross domestic product (GDP) in the first three quarters of 2022.
The number of employed people in the province increased by 144 000 between the third quarter of 2021 and the third quarter of 2022.
“Every day, our minds are occupied by unlocking more opportunities for economic growth, so that women, men and young persons who need a job can get one. Today, I want to assure the people of our province that more jobs are coming.”
He told the Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) that last year, the province made history by attracting 11 new investors at the Provincial Investment Conference with a combined value of R46 billion.
These include Shoprite Group, Tshedza Pictures, Transnet Port of Ngqura, Benteler, Sun Farming, South African Breweries, Mhlobiso Concrete, Toyota Material Handling, Sanaha Property Developments, Sanral and Aqora Lithium Battery.
In addition, the newly announced investment projects worth over R1.3 billion are underway with 1 198 jobs created.
The Premier told the assembly that SAB’s Ibhayi Brewery is investing R510 million in plant expansion which will lead to more jobs.
Last year’s new investments take the cumulative total for the sixth administration to R171 billion.
“As a result of these investments, 21 664 people in our province are now employed in various sectors of the economy.”
In the meantime, the province has established an Eastern Cape Economic Development Fund, which will recapitalise private partners to unlock future investments.
He announced that he has tasked the Automotive Industry Development Centre-EC to work with the private sector to implement projects that would prepare them to transition to electric vehicles.
Key among these projects, he said, is the installation of public electric vehicle charging stations in all key routes, enhancement of electric vehicle skills and promotion of renewable energy projects to sustain the demands of the auto sector.
He also said they are establishing an automotive aftermarket programme that will benefit 300 panel beaters and mechanics and will focus on training, capacity building and aftermarket funding over the next three years.
Mabuyane said the province’s two operational Special Economic Zones (SEZ) continue to be a beacon of hope and excellence.
In the last few months, the ELIDZ has attracted R535 million in investment, while the Coega SEZ has received pledges of R557.7 million.
