The renewed optimism that gripped software publishers a few months ago is still very much alive. After rising last September, all the indicators tracked by the BVA – Syntec Numérique barometer on their morale have stabilized, and they remain confident and optimistic for 2014.
This latest edition of the barometer also takes stock of Cloud Computing, a real growth driver for players in the digital industry, by surveying the main French opinion leaders*. Obscure for some, or revolutionary for others, the cloud seems to require education and demystification, particularly in terms of security.
Positive outlook for software publishers in 2014
66% of publishers are fairly confident about the future economic situation. This compares with 68% three months ago. Despite this slight drop, the sector’s confidence index remains above the 60% ceiling, a level not reached for two years.
This near-stability is reflected in their objectives, recruitment decisions and forecasts:
- 61% say they are on or above their 2013 targets (vs. 58% last September)
- 51% plan to increase their workforce in 2014(vs. 50% last September)
- 74% plan to invest in new projects over the next three months, a 7-point jump on the last wave.
“This year-end report rounds off a rollercoaster year for publishers. After a rebound in the autumn, publishers are generally confident about the new year. Indeed, these new results point to a good start for 2014! In an uncertain economic climate, however, we need to remain cautious and wait to see whether these investments will translate into new targets and new recruits. As with the start of the new school year in September, a positive psychological effect may come into play: that of the approach of the new year, when we forget about 2013 and start afresh in 2014. The digital sector in general, and software publishers in particular, have already proved that they are capable of bouncing back and taking the whole economy with them”, comments Bruno Vanryb, President of Syntec Numérique’s publishers’ college.
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“Our barometer shows that the fears associated with this technological mutation have not yet been allayed. Recording and storing personal data on remote servers still gives rise to apprehension and reservations. It is therefore vital to educate people about Cloud Computing, in order to reduce the number of those who reject or worry about the risks associated with the explosion of this technology, which is at the heart of digital growth. We also make it a point of honor to reassure the French and the uninitiated about this technology, which today represents a great opportunity for growth for our country”, explains Bruno Vanryb.
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