The Power of Partnerships in Tech Services
Ananth Lazarus
Ecosystem & Partner Ecosystem Expert | Fractional Leader for Tech Startups | Founder | Ex-Microsoft Managing Director, IBM & Compaq Executive
Never before have there been so many opportunities in the IT market. From AI/ML to Cybersecurity, Data and Analytics, and of course, the Cloud — technology is evolving at breakneck speed, and with it comes an increasing demand for services.
IT Spend is Surging Across APJ
According to IDC, IT spending across the Asia-Pacific and Japan (APJ) region is set to grow significantly in 2024, with projected growth rates ranging between 5.5% and 8.5% across all countries. That’s twice the GDP growth rate! In 2023 alone, IT spend in APJ exceeded $1.3 trillion.
In markets like Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), services already represent over 40% of total IT spending. In Singapore and Malaysia it is steadily rising, with services taking up 33% and 30%, respectively. While India and Indonesia still see significant hardware spend, the shift towards services is happening rapidly.
The Services opportunity upside is growing! The stars are aligned, so to speak.
Vendor Collaboration is like never before
To seize these opportunities, the IT partner ecosystem must evolve. Today, even the largest vendors are partnering in ways we could never have imagined:
This trend underscores a significant shift. ?The action is now moving towards the ecosystem. Partners are coming together to deliver comprehensive solutions that meet complex customer needs.
So what is changing?
1.??????? The Role of Tech Distributors as Catalysts
Tech distributors are playing a pivotal role in this transformation. The days of simply offering “pick, pack, and ship” services are long gone. Today’s distributors:
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·?????? Bridge the gap between solution providers struggling to keep pace with rapid change and vendors unable to fill every niche.
·?????? Serve as catalysts, providing white-label services that partners leverage to reach broader markets.
·?????? Make strategic investments, especially in areas like AI, where upfront costs are high, and returns are still maturing. By sharing resources across multiple partner opportunities, distributors enable growth and innovation at scale.
2.??????? Partners: From Competitors to Collaborators
Increasingly, partners are shifting from competition to collaboration. Whether across geographies or within local markets, partners are finding ways to augment capabilities and create co-opetition — a balance of collaboration and competition that drives mutual success.
The smartest partners understand that being a Jack of all trades is no longer enough. Instead, they:
Partnerships: A Force Multiplier
The power of partnerships in services is undeniable. Successful partners recognize that collaboration is the key to navigating today’s complex technology ecosystem. By combining forces, they amplify their strengths and unlock new opportunities for growth.
The future belongs to those who believe in the power of partnerships — it is a true Force Multiplier.
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Absolutely agree. The power of partnerships is essential for driving success, especially in today’s fast-evolving tech landscape. For startups and solution providers, securing your innovations early through patents can add a layer of protection and value when collaborating with partners. If you’re looking to protect your IP while building strong partnerships, feel free to reach out to us at PatentPC. We help startups navigate the patent process with ease.