2007 IDC Channel Analyst Predictions

IDC software analysts share their predictions for the channel in 2007. compiled by John Hazard; illustrated by Brian Moore

Partners will organize themselves into

organic partner networks

and potentially begin a shift in the balance of power away from vendors. – Paul Edwards, program director, Software Sales Channels, and Stephen Graham, group vice president, Softwar

Vendors will shift mainstream partner performance barometers to reward influence, leading to a further decline of the VAR model. – Darren Bibby, senior analyst, Software Sales Channels

Partner account managers will become more accountable. – Darren Bibby, senior analyst, Software Sales Channels

Large vendors will reveal their software-as-a-service road maps to channel partners. – Darren Bibby, senior analyst, Software Sales Channels, and Erin Traudt, senior analyst, Software as a Service

Traditional services firms will get serious about SAAS. – Erin Traudt, senior analyst, Software as a Service

The software broker will evolve to business process broker. – Stephen Graham, group vice president, Software Business Strategies

SAAS and traditionally non-SAAS providers will move to online marketplaces to offer suites of on-demand offerings. – Erin Traudt, senior analyst, Software as a Service