Cloud, 5G Highlight 2021 Predictions for the Channel

The new year should usher in a better business climate and new opportunities for the channel, according to 2021 predictions.

Nick Offin is Dynabook’s head of sales, marketing and operations. He said 2021 will be a better year for the channel.

Dynabook’s Nick Offin

“2021 will be a better year for channel partners who adapt efficiently to the current climate,” he said. “Partners who are currently supporting remote workers and offering services such as mobile devices, cloud computing and security technologies are succeeding as the trend of remote working continues. This is likely to accelerate until next year and will soon be known as the new normal.”

Growth opportunities for the channel will stem from businesses incorporating remote working, Offin said.

“Technologies such as 5G and IoT will play a crucial role in accelerating this process for the channel,” he said.

COVID-19 has presented a number of unforeseen and unpredicted challenges to the channel, Offin said.

The use of technologies such as desktops declined in the last six months, he said. And this trend will continue next year opening new opportunities for partners operating in the mobility sector.

More than half of businesses will maintain flexible and work-from-home policies on a permanent basis, said Spiceworks Ziff Davis.

And despite economic uncertainties and stagnating revenues, IT spending will stay strong,  it said. In fact, 80% of businesses anticipate year-over-year tech spending to stay the same or increase in 2021. And COVID-19 is influencing more than a third of budget increases.

Scroll through our gallery below for channel execs’ 2021 predictions.