2012 Planned Research Agenda

Our IDC Manufacturing Insights' analysts have planned dozens of research projects to help you get the most out of your business. The information presented here represents some of our current plans and are subject to change.

IDC Insights research can become the foundation or springboard for custom consulting projects, such as evaluating new business opportunities, understanding a market segment, exploring new technologies for your operations, improving knowledge of your customers, increasing customer satisfaction, developing a competitive strategy, etc.

To learn more about our planned research, please contact us.



Aftermarket and Service Strategies

IDC Manufacturing Insights’ Aftermarket and Service Strategies advisory service examines key trends, technologies and best practices in warranty and service strategies and how best-in-class companies use IT to enhance aftermarket operations. Brand owners and their suppliers are looking for ways to not only reduce their expenses in- and post warranty but also use service to enhance profitability and counter product revenue losses during economic downturns. Furthermore, best-in-class companies use aftermarket as a brand differentiator and to bolster customer loyalty.

Document Type Document Title Publish Date
Vendor Assessment Emerging Vendor Profile Oct-Dec 2011
Methods and Practices Pitfalls & Best Practices in Embedded Software Development in Discrete Manufacturing Oct-Dec 2011
Perspective Synchronizing the Mechatronics Lifecycle with the Vehicle Lifecycle Oct-Dec 2011
Perspective The Ideal Service Information Delivery Platform - Can they deliver? Oct-Dec 2011
Business Strategy Product Lifecycle Economics: Moving Critical Decisions Earlier Oct-Dec 2011
Top 10 Predictions 2012 Top Ten Predictions for Product Lifecycle Strategies Oct-Dec 2011
Vendor Assessment IDC MarketScape: Warranty Management and Warranty Analytics Applications Jan-Mar 2012
Perspective Strategies for Lifetime Buys Jan-Mar 2012
Perspective MDM & Analytics to Improve Supplier Cost Recovery Jan-Mar 2012
Business Strategy Aftermarket Service Lifecycle Economics Jan-Mar 2012
Vendor Assessment Enterprise Asset Management 2011 Vendor Shares Jan-Mar 2012
Methods and Practices Warranty Spend in U.S. Manufacturing 2011 Apr-Jun 2012
Perspective Embedded Software in Automotive Apr-Jun 2012
Vendor Assessment Emerging Vendor Profile Apr-Jun 2012
Perspective End of Life Legislation for Sustainablity Apr-Jun 2012
Perspective Role of Standards to Accellerate M2M Adoption Jul-Sep 2012
Perspective Service Information Delivery Customer Use Case Jul-Sep 2012
Vendor Assessment Emerging Vendor Profile Jul-Sep 2012
Business Strategy PLM and Design for Serviceability Jul-Sep 2012
Perspective Telematic Business Value Use Case Oct-Dec 2012
Perspective Emerging Models in Personal Transportation and Mobility Demand New Customer Engagement Models Oct-Dec 2012
Business Strategy Sensor Technology and Analytics in Predictive & Condition-Based Maintenance Oct-Dec 2012
Top 10 Predictions 2013 Top Ten Predictions for Product Lifecycle Strategies Oct-Dec 2012

Asia/Pacific IT Opportunity: Manufacturing

Manufacturing Insights' Asia/Pacific IT Opportunity: Manufacturing advisory service provides an in-depth look into and analysis of the manufacturing sector across key markets in the Asia/Pacific region.

Document Type Document Title Publish Date
Business Strategy A Comparative Report on China Manufacturers' Business and IT Priorities, 2010 and 2011 Oct-Dec 2011
Top 10 Predictions Top 10 Predictions for Asia/Pacific Manufacturing 2012 Oct-Dec 2011
Perspective Asia/Pacific Automotive Industry Update: October - December 2011 Oct-Dec 2011
Perspective Asia/Pacific Automotive Industry Update: January - March 2012 Jan-Mar 2012
Perspective Asia/Pacific (Excluding Japan) Manufacturing IT Spending 2012 - 2017 Forecast Jan-Mar 2012
Pivot Table Asia/Pacific Automotive Industry Update: April - June 2012 Apr-Jun 2012
Perspective Asia/Pacific (Excluding Japan) Engineering Oriented Value Chains (EOVC) Business and IT Priorities 2012-2013 Apr-Jun 2012
Business Strategy Asia/Pacific (Excluding Japan) Technology Oriented Value Chains (TOVC) Business and IT Priorities 2012-2013 Apr-Jun 2012
Business Strategy Asia/Pacific (Excluding Japan) Brand Oriented Value Chains (BOVC) Business and IT Priorities 2012-2013 Jul-Sep 2012
Business Strategy Asia/Pacific (Excluding Japan) Asset Oriented Value Chains (AOVC) Business and IT Priorities 2012-2013 Jul-Sep 2012
Perspective Asia/Pacific Automotive Industry Update: July - September 2012 Jul-Sep 2012
Business Strategy A comparative Report on China Manufacturers' Business and IT Priorities, 2011 and 2012 Oct-Dec 2012
Perspective Asia/Pacific Automotive Industry Update: October - December 2012 Oct-Dec 2012
Top 10 Predictions Top 10 Predictions for Asia/Pacific Manufacturing 2013 Oct-Dec 2012


Asia/Pacific Manufacturing Strategies

IDC Manufacturing Insights' Asia/Pacific Manufacturing Strategies research advisory service provides subscribers with the latest trends and developments on information communication and technology (ICT) strategies for the manufacturing sector. Topics covered will include best practices on the use of IT to generate revenue, increase efficiencies, reduce costs, gain competitive advantage, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Document Type Document Title Publish Date
Top 10 Predictions From Data to Knowledge: Driving End-to-End Visibility Across Your Business Oct-Dec 2011
Business Strategy Supply Chain Management in Asia/Pacific: 2011 update Oct-Dec 2011
Business Strategy Product Lifecycle Management in Asia/Pacific: 2011 update Oct-Dec 2011
Business Strategy Mobility in APeJ Manufacturing: Driving Productivity Jan-Mar 2012
Insights Presentation Enterprise Information Management in APeJ Manufacturing: Do We Need It? Jan-Mar 2012
Methods and Practices Trends in Enterprise Cloud Adoption for APeJ Manufacturing Jan-Mar 2012
Perspective Enterprise connectivity: Are We Really Connected? Apr-Jun 2012
Perspective Information security: What is at Risk? Apr-Jun 2012
Methods and Practices Sustainable Manufacturing in Asia/Pacific: 2011 Update Jul-Sep 2012
Business Strategy Supply Chain Management in Asia/Pacific: 2012 Update Jul-Sep 2012
Business Strategy Do We Need to Green our Supply Chain? Oct-Dec 2012
Perspective Product Lifecycle Management in Asia/Pacific: 2012 Update Oct-Dec 2012
Perspective Productive Innovation: When is too Much of Good Ideas? Oct-Dec 2012


Central and Eastern European IT Opportunity: Manufacturing

Central and Eastern European IT Opportunity: Manufacturing provides a detailed analysis of IT spending trends in the manufacturing industry in Central and Eastern Europe.

Document Type Document Title Publish Date
Best Practice CEE Supply Chain Strategies: Where Do We Still Need to Go Oct-Dec 2011
Best Practice CEMA Automotive Competitive Landscape, 2012 Oct-Dec 2011
Top 10 Predictions 2012 Top 10 Predictions in CEMA Manufacturing Oct-Dec 2011
Perspective CEMA, Quarterly Update Oct-Dec 2011
Technology Selection What Do You Do with BI and Analytics? Exploiting Their Full Business Potential Jan-Mar 2012
Perspective CEMA, Quarterly Update Jan-Mar 2012
Business Strategy Manufacturing Strategic Objectives in Relation to Business Concerns and Drivers in Central and Eastern Europe, 2012 Apr-Jun 2012
Business Strategy Manufacturing IT Budget Trends and Operational Initiatives in Central and Eastern Europe, 2012 Apr-Jun 2012
Perspective CEMA, Quarterly Update Apr-Jun 2012
Business Strategy Factory of the Future: Case Study or Regional Survey Report in CEE (TBD) Apr-Jun 2012
Pivot Table Central and Eastern Europe Manufacturing IT Spending, 2012 - 2016 Forecast Apr-Jun 2012
Business Strategy Print Management Solutions In Manufacturing: What They Can do for You Jul-Sep 2012
Perspective CEMA, Quarterly Update Jul-Sep 2012
Pivot Table Central and Eastern Europe Manufacturing IT Spending, 2012 - 2016 Forecast Update Oct-Dec 2012
Business Strategy What Does PLM Mean to Manufacturers in Central and Eastern Europe? Oct-Dec 2012
Perspective CEMA, Quarterly Update Oct-Dec 2012


China Manufacturing Strategies

The China Manufacturing Industry Strategies service provides an in-depth look into and analysis of the manufacturing sector in China. It includes the latest information and communication technology (ICT) deployment phase in manufacturing industry and the new technology adoption status. The service also highlights the areas with substantial ICT investments and identifies ICT priorities for this sector in line with business processes and models as market conditions change.

Document Type Document Title Publish Date
Perspective Chinese SI's: A Review Jan-Mar 2012
Perspective The Rise of the Robot in China Jan-Mar 2012
Business Strategy Chinese Manufacturing Trends Apr-Jun 2012
Business Strategy Productiivty and Efficiency in Chinese Manufacturing Jul-Sep 2012
Business Strategy The Paper to Cloud Journey Oct-Dec 2012
Top 10 Predictions China Manufacturing Top10 Predictions for 2013 Oct-Dec 2012


European IT Opportunity: Manufacturing

Manufacturing Insights' European IT Opportunity: Manufacturing advisory service provides detailed insight into the IT adoption and purchasing trends in the Western European manufacturing sector, with a particular focus on solution priorities, including developments in collaborative design and manufacturing, PLM/PDM, logistics, advanced warehouse and inventory management, mobility/wireless developments, and back-office and customer-facing solutions.

Document Type Document Title Publish Date
Top 10 Predictions EMEA Top 10 Predictions 2012 Oct-Dec 2011
Perspective EMEA, Quarterly Update Oct-Dec 2011
Perspective Adoption and Investments of MES Applications in Western European Manufacturing Industry, an IDC Survey Oct-Dec 2011
Perspective Adoption and Investments of SCM Applications in Western European Manufacturing Industry, an IDC Survey Oct-Dec 2011
Business Strategy IT Budget Changes in Western European Manufacturing Industry, an IDC Survey Jan-Mar 2012
Perspective EMEA, Quarterly Update Jan-Mar 2012
Perspective Adoption and Investments of PLM Applications in Western European Manufacturing Industry, an IDC Survey Jan-Mar 2012
Perspective Adoption and Investments of Cloud/Web 2.0 Applications in Western European Manufacturing Industry, an IDC Survey Jan-Mar 2012
Business Strategy IT Decision Making Process in Western European Manufacturing Industry, an IDC Survey Apr-Jun 2012
Perspective EMEA, Quarterly Update Apr-Jun 2012
Perspective Adoption and Investments of Mobility Applications in Western European Manufacturing Industry, an IDC Survey Apr-Jun 2012
Business Strategy Moving Applications to the Cloud: Opportunity or Threat in EMEA Manufacturing? The IDC International Cloud Survey Apr-Jun 2012
Business Strategy Business Solutions Investments in Western European Manufacturing Industry, an IDC Survey Jul-Sep 2012
Perspective EMEA, Quarterly Update Jul-Sep 2012
Pivot Table IT Spending Forecast 2011–2017, EMEA Countries, Discrete Manufacturing Jul-Sep 2012
Pivot Table IT Spending Forecast 2011–2017, EMEA Countries, Process Manufacturing Jul-Sep 2012
Perspective EMEA, Quarterly Update Oct-Dec 2012
Perspective Adoption and Investments of MES Applications in Western European Manufacturing Industry, an IDC Survey Oct-Dec 2012
Perspective Adoption and Investments of SCM Applications in Western European Manufacturing Industry, an IDC Survey Oct-Dec 2012
Top 10 Predictions EMEA Top 10 Predictions 2013 Oct-Dec 2012


IT Priorities and Strategies

IDC Manufacturing Insights' IT Priorities and Strategies research advisory service analyzes IT budget allocation and investments made by organizations across all manufacturing segments and researches topics that are rapidly becoming critical priorities for manufacturers, including mobility, cloud computing, and environmental sustainability; managing a changing global workforce; and driving the maximum from value chain relationships.

Document Type Document Title Publish Date
Perspective From Communication to Collaboration Oct-Dec 2011
Top 10 Predictions Top 10 2012 Predictions for Manufacturing Overall Oct-Dec 2011
Top 10 Predictions Top 10 2012 Predictions - for the 4 Value Chains Oct-Dec 2011
Perspective Oracle Open World Review Oct-Dec 2011
Business Strategy Collaboration and Shared Strategy Between Manufacturers & Retailers Jan-Mar 2012
Perspective CSC Innoventure Review Jan-Mar 2012
Perspective Sustainability Hot Topic Jan-Mar 2012
Perspective Hot Topic for the Manufacturing CIO Jan-Mar 2012
Perspective SAP Sapphire Review Apr-Jun 2012
Perspective Sustainability Hot Topic Apr-Jun 2012
Technology Selection Moving Forward with Cloud in Manufacturing Apr-Jun 2012
Perspective Hot Topic in the Manufacturing Industry Apr-Jun 2012
Business Strategy Value Chain Budget Guides - for Asset, Brand, Engineering, and Technology Oriented Manufacturers Jul-Sep 2012
Perspective Hot Topic in Manufacturing - Enabling the Line of Business Leaders Jul-Sep 2012
Technology Selection Moving Forward with Mobility in Manufacturing Jul-Sep 2012
Perspective Sustainability Hot Topic Jul-Sep 2012
Perspective Sustainability Hot Topic Oct-Dec 2012
Perspective Oracle Open World Review Oct-Dec 2012
Top 10 Predictions Top 10 2013 Predictions for Manufacturing Oct-Dec 2012
Top 10 Predictions Top 10 2013 Predictions - the 4 Value Chains Oct-Dec 2012


Operations Technology Strategy

Manufacturing Insights' Operations Technology Strategies research service provides deep industry-specific technology advice, benchmarks, and technology guidelines for the plant floor.

Top 10 Predictions 2012 Top 10 Predictions for Operations Technology Oct-Dec 2011
Perspective The ERP is dead. Long live to the ERP. Oct-Dec 2011
Business Strategy It's all About the ROA: Creating Modern Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) Practices Oct-Dec 2011
Perspective Quarterly Operations and Lean / Six Sigma Update Oct-Dec 2011
Business Strategy The Factories of the Future: an IDC Global Survey Jan-Mar 2012
Methods and Practices Plant-floor Traceability in Food and Beverage Jan-Mar 2012
Perspective Two Tires, Hub-and-Spoke, Centralized: What's the Best Practice in ERP Deployment for Globally Integrated Manufacturing Enterprises Jan-Mar 2012
Perspective Quarterly Operations and Lean / Six Sigma Update Jan-Mar 2012
Technology Selection The Emergence of the Operational ERP Apr-Jun 2012
Methods and Practices Factory of the Future: Case Study or Regional Survey Report in ASIA Apr-Jun 2012
Perspective Quarterly Operations and Lean / Six Sigma Update Apr-Jun 2012
Business Strategy The Food & Beverage Plant of the Future Jul-Sep 2012
Perspective Has your Equipment a Twitter Account? How Can Social Networking Help Manufacturing Visibility and Collaboration. Jul-Sep 2012
Methods and Practices Energy Management as Driver for Plant Floor Optimization Jul-Sep 2012
Perspective Quarterly Operations and Lean / Six Sigma Update Jul-Sep 2012
Perspective MES-PLM Integration: A Case Study Oct-Dec 2012
Perspective A Case Study Oct-Dec 2012
Perspective Quarterly Operations and Lean / Six Sigma Update Oct-Dec 2012
Top 10 Predictions 2013 Top 10 Predictions for Operations Technology Oct-Dec 2012


Product Life-Cycle Strategies

Manufacturing Insights' Product Lifecycle Strategies advisory service examines key challenges facing manufacturing companies such as innovation, time-to-market, operational efficiency and product quality. The service provides fact-based research on tools, strategies and best practices in product lifecycle management to meet business challenges. It offers a complete product lifecycle view, from ideation and innovation through engineering and manufacturing, to end-of-life and disposal.


Document Type Document Title Publish Date
Vendor Assessment Product Configuration Management Oct-Dec 2011
Business Strategy New Challenges in PLM Software Oct-Dec 2011
Perspective Design for X Oct-Dec 2011
Business Strategy Product Lifecycle Economics: Moving Critical Decisions Earlier Oct-Dec 2011
Top 10 Predictions 2012 Top Ten Predictions for Product Lifecycle Strategies Oct-Dec 2011
Vendor Assessment PLM/Engineering Apps in the Cloud Jan-Mar 2012
Perspective Trends and Business Strategies in Social Platforms Jan-Mar 2012
Vendor Assessment Enterprise Asset Management 2011 Vendor Shares  Jan-Mar 2012
Vendor Assessment Emerging Vendors in Simulation Jan-Mar 2012
Vendor Assessment Collaborative Product Data Management 2011 Vendor Shares Apr-Jun 2012
Perspective PLM and Shipbuilding Topic Apr-Jun 2012
Perspective Is PLM only for Big Companies? Apr-Jun 2012
Vendor Assessment Product Life-Cycle Management 2012- 2017 Forecast Jul-Sep 2012
Vendor Assessment Product Life-Cycle Management 2011 Vendor Shares Jul-Sep 2012
Business Strategy New Product Development Market Round-Up Jul-Sep 2012
Perspective Revisiting Computational Fluid Dynamics Jul-Sep 2012
Perspective Build to Order in PLM Oct-Dec 2012
Vendor Assessment Emerging Vendors in Simulation Oct-Dec 2012
Top 10 Predictions 2013 Top Ten Predictions for Product Lifecycle Strategies Oct-Dec 2012


Supply Chain Strategies

Manufacturing Insights' Supply Chain Strategies advisory service arms manufacturing companies with the specific knowledge necessary to globally deploy extended value networks and supporting business processes. These business process investments drive interest in research that helps manufacturers and retailers make more insightful and informed decisions on the deployment of global supply chain strategies and supporting technology applications. Forward-looking research, combined with fact-based analysis of successful global supply chain strategies, provides clients with practical ways to improve service levels and performance while minimizing cost.


Document Type Document Title Publish Date
Top 10 Predictions 2012 Top 10 Global Supply Chain Predictions Oct-Dec 2011
Perspective Complexity Management - Supply Chain in the Cloud Oct-Dec 2011
Perspective Fulfillment Excellence - Performance-Based Logisitcs Oct-Dec 2011
Best Practices Modern Supply Chain - 2011 Survey Results Jan-Mar 2012
Perspective Fulfillment Excellence in Brand-Oriented Value Chains Jan-Mar 2012
Methods and Practices Complexity Management - Inventory Optimization Revisted Jan-Mar 2012
Business Strategy Modern Supply Chain - End User Planning Guide Apr-Jun 2012
Best Practices Complexity Management - The Use of Analytics in Brand-Oriented Value Chains Apr-Jun 2012
Perspective Interim Supply Chain Top 10 Update Apr-Jun 2012
Business Strategy Sales and Marketing in Brand-Oriented Value Chains Jul-Sep 2012
IDC MarketScape Fulfillment Excellence - Workforce Management Jul-Sep 2012
Perspective Japan, One Year Later Jul-Sep 2012
Methods and Practices Mobility Use Cases in Supply Chain Jul-Sep 2012
Top 10 Predictions 2013 Top 10 Global Supply Chain Predictions Oct-Dec 2012


Worldwide Manufacturing and Operations Technology Spending Guide




Document Type Document Title Publish Date
Pivot Table Worldwide Manufacturing and Operations Management Spending Guide Oct-Dec 2011
Pivot Table Worldwide Manufacturing and Operations Management Spending Guide - Annual Apr-Jun 2012
Pivot Table Worldwide Manufacturing and Operations Management Spending Guide - Mid-year Update Oct-Dec 2012


Worldwide Manufacturing Product Life-Cycle Management Spending Guide

IDC Manufacturing Insights' Worldwide Manufacturing Product Life-Cycle Management Spending Guide is a biannual analysis of the current situation and projected growth of PLM software spending on the manufacturing industry, providing IT vendors with a five-year outlook and key information needed to develop market strategies for the manufacturing sector. This service offers a profile of the IT growth opportunity across four geographic regions and major discrete and process manufacturing subindustries.


Document Type Document Title Publish Date
Pivot Table Worldwide Manufacturing PLM Spending Guide Oct-Dec 2011
Pivot Table Worldwide Manufacturing PLM Spending Guide - Annual Apr-Jun 2012
Pivot Table Worldwide Manufacturing PLM Spending Guide - Mid-year Update Oct-Dec 2012


Worldwide Manufacturing Spending Guide: Asset Intensive

The Worldwide Manufacturing Spending Guide: Asset Intensive is a biannual analysis of the current status and projected growth of IT spending in the asset-intensive manufacturing sector. This global five-year outlook on IT spending provides IT vendors with key information needed to develop market strategies for the asset-intensive manufacturing sector. As the benchmark for consistent, detailed market data on the industry, this service offers a profile of the IT growth opportunity across 4 regions, 24 technologies, and 5 major asset-intensive manufacturing sub-industries.


Document Type Document Title Publish Date
Pivot Table Worldwide Manufacturing Asset Intensive Industries Spending Guide Oct-Dec 2011
Pivot Table Worldwide Manufacturing Asset Intensive Industries Spending Guide - Annual Apr-Jun 2012
Pivot Table Worldwide Manufacturing Asset Intensive Industries Spending Guide - Mid-year Update Oct-Dec 2012


Worldwide Manufacturing Spending Guide: Automotive, Aerospace, Discrete

The Worldwide Manufacturing Spending Guide: Automotive, Aerospace, Discrete is a biannual analysis of the current status and projected growth of IT spending in the discrete manufacturing industry. This global five-year outlook on IT spending provides IT vendors with key information needed to develop market strategies for the manufacturing sector. As the benchmark for consistent, detailed market data on the industry, this service offers a profile of the IT growth opportunity across 4 geographic regions, 24 technologies, and 8 major discrete manufacturing sub-industries.


Pivot Table Worldwide Manufacturing Automotive, Aerospace, Discrete Industries Spending Guide Oct-Dec 2011
Pivot Table Worldwide Manufacturing Automotive, Aerospace, Discrete Industries Spending Guide - Annual Apr-Jun 2012
Pivot Table Worldwide Manufacturing Automotive, Aerospace, Discrete Industries Spending Guide - Mid-year Update Oct-Dec 2012


Worldwide Manufacturing Spending Guide: Consumer Goods

The Worldwide Manufacturing Spending Guide: Consumer Goods is a biannual analysis of the current status and projected growth of IT spending in the consumer goods manufacturing sector. This global five-year outlook on IT spending provides IT vendors with key information needed to develop market strategies for the manufacturing sector. As the benchmark for consistent, detailed market data on the industry, this service offers a profile of the IT growth opportunity across 4 regions, 24 technologies, and 8 major consumer goods manufacturing subindustries.


Document Type Document Title Publish Date
Pivot Table Worldwide Manufacturing Consumer Goods Industries Spending Guide Oct-Dec 2011
Pivot Table Worldwide Manufacturing Consumer Goods Industries Spending Guide - Annual Apr-Jun 2012
Pivot Table Worldwide Manufacturing Consumer Goods Industries Spending Guide - Mid-year Update Oct-Dec 2012


Worldwide Manufacturing Spending Guide: High Tech and Electronics

The Worldwide Manufacturing Spending Guide: High Tech and Electronics is a biannual analysis of the current status and projected growth of IT spending in the high-tech/electronics manufacturing sector. This global five-year outlook on IT spending provides IT vendors with key information needed to develop market strategies for the manufacturing sector. As the benchmark for consistent, detailed market data on the industry, this service offers a profile of the IT growth opportunity across 4 regions, 24 technologies, and 10 major high-tech manufacturing subindustries.


Document Type Document Title Publish Date
Pivot Table Worldwide Manufacturing High Tech and Electronics Industries Spending Guide Oct-Dec 2011
Pivot Table Worldwide Manufacturing High Tech and Electronics Industries Spending Guide - Annual Apr-Jun 2012
Pivot Table Worldwide Manufacturing High Tech and Electronics Industries Spending Guide - Mid-year Update Oct-Dec 2012



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