Reporting live from Gartner pandemic watch: IT spending is shrinking by X this year, I mean Y

In a world full of surprises where everything subject to change based on humanity’s ability to combat an invisible killer, Gartner has calculated IT spending will crash this year and experience a “swoop” recovery next. The amount of cash splashed on tech is estimated to have reached $3.530 trillion at the close of 2020, which …

[Pascal Monett]

Wow, what insight

"Gartner has calculated IT spending will crash this year and experience a “swoop” recovery next "

Who could possibly have thought that this year's global pandemic might have an adverse impact on IT spending, and that next year things will start going again ?

You'd have to be a wizard to guess that.

Or you could have read the hundreds of blurbs coming from all those NYSE-listed companies that have been giving that excuse for their rather poor quarterly earnings, and perspectives for the future.

Honestly, what is the use of Gartner ? Could someone please explain why it still exists when it either just states the obvious or gets it completely wrong ?

When has Gartner actually made a bold prediction that panned out ?

[vtcodger]

Re: Wow, what insight

"Who could possibly have thought that this year's global pandemic might have an adverse impact on IT spending[?]"

Well, a few misguided souls may have suggested that with many more folks working from remote locations in response to the pandemic, travel restrictions, etc, there might be a bit of previously unexpected spending on IT infrastructure. Silly notion of course. IT is clearly even more doomed than transportation, hospitality, et. al.

[Doctor Syntax]

Re: Wow, what insight

I'm sure somebody said that only last week. Who was it now? Oh, yes. Some firm called Gartner. https://www.theregister.com/2020/07/10/gartner_idc_pc_shipments_q2_2020/

[Robert Moore]

Re: Wow, what insight

> Honestly, what is the use of Gartner ? Could someone please explain why it still exists when it either just states the obvious or gets it completely wrong ?

Whatever they predict, bet on the opposite happening, and you will clean up. :)

[Cederic]

Re: Wow, what insight

Honestly, what is the use of Gartner ?

"We need a new system in this space. Who are the key players?"

Gartner will give you a list, provide some suggestions on how to differentiate between them and, if you ask really nicely, help you find an existing user willing to talk about it.

"What should we be doing that we aren't?"

Gartner will give you insight into the technologies likely to go mainstream in the next 2-5 years, giving you time to plan ahead and look into whether they're going to be a threat, an opportunity or a distraction.

This isn't to say that Gartner are worth their fee, or that they're the only source of such information and input, but if you use them cynically they can be of use.

[Version 1.0]

Re: Wow, what insight

Unlikely - they are busy spending money on customs declaration and goods import/export apps. You really think that Cambridge Analytica will not make a few mega tons of money?