By 2017, manufacturers will actively channel 25% of their IT budgets through industry clouds that enable seamless and flexible collaboration models.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — December 5, 2014 — International Data Corporation ( IDC) yesterday hosted the IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Manufacturing 2015 Predictions Web conference. The session provided organizations with insight and perspective on long-term industry trends along with new themes that may be on the horizon. The Predictions Web conference series and accompanying IDC FutureScape reports are designed to help IT leaders capitalize on emerging market opportunities and plan for future growth. An audio replay of the Web conference is available now. To access the replay, please visit: http://bit.ly/IDCManufacturingFutureScape2015.

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The predictions from the IDC FutureScape for Worldwide Manufacturing FutureScape are:

1. By 2017, manufacturers will actively channel 25% of their IT budgets through industry clouds that enable seamless and flexible collaboration models.
2. In 2015, product quality, including compliance, will underpin two thirds of all IT application investments across the manufacturing organization.
3. By 2016, 30% of manufacturers will invest substantially in increasing the visibility and analysis of information exchange and business processes, within the company and with partners.
4. In 2015, customer centricity will require higher standards for customer service excellence, efficient innovation, and responsive manufacturing, which will motivate 75% of manufacturers to invest in customer-facing technologies.
5. By 2017, 50% of manufacturers will explore the viability of micro logistics networks to enable the promise of accelerated delivery for select products and customers.
6. By 2018, 75% of manufacturers will be coordinating enterprise-wide planning activities under the umbrella of rapid integrated business planning.
7. By 2016, 70% of global discrete manufacturers will offer connected products, driving increased software content and the need for systems engineering and a product innovation platform.
8. By 2018, 40% of the top 100 discrete manufacturers and 20% of the top 100 process manufacturers will provide Product-as-a-Service platforms.
9. In 2015, 65% of companies with more than ten plants will enable the factory floor to make better decisions through investments in operational intelligence.
10. Investments that enable digitally executed manufacturing will increase 50% by the end of 2017, as manufacturers seek to be more agile in the marketplace.

"IDC Manufacturing Insights sees a number of important industry drivers that will shape the manufacturing industry for the next few years, including complex value chains, support for continuing emerging market growth, customer (and consumer) centricity, ubiquitous connectivity, and data-driven insights; these drivers inform the ten decision imperatives for 2015 and beyond," said Simon Ellis, Practice Director, IDC Manufacturing Insights.

The IDC FutureScape report that this Web conference is based on will be published and available within the next 24 hours. To learn more about IDC Predictions and IDC FutureScapes, please visit: www.idc.com/Predictions2015. For additional information about these predictions or to arrange a one-on-one briefing, please contact Sarah Murray at 781-378-2674 or sarah@attunecommunications.com. Reports are available to qualified members of the media. For information on purchasing reports, contact insights@idc.com; reporters should email sarah@attunecommunications.com.

About IDC FutureScapes

IDC FutureScape reports are used to shape IT strategy and planning for the enterprise by providing a basic framework for evaluating IT initiatives in terms of their value to business strategy now and in the foreseeable future. IDC's FutureScapes are comprised of a set of decision imperatives designed to identify a range of pending issues that CIOs and senior technology professionals will confront within the typical three-year business planning cycle.

About IDC Manufacturing Insights

IDC Manufacturing Insights assists manufacturing businesses and IT leaders, as well as the suppliers who serve them in making more effective technology decisions by providing accurate, timely, and insightful fact-based research and consulting services. Staffed by senior analysts with decades of industry experience, our global research analyzes and advises on business and technology issues facing asset intensive, brand oriented, technology oriented, and engineering oriented manufacturing industries. International Data Corporation ( IDC ) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology market. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG , the world's leading technology, media, research, and events company. For more information, please visit www.idc-mi.com , email info@idc-mi.com , or call 508-988-7900. Visit the IDC Manufacturing Insights Community at http://idc-community.com/manufacturing .