Google, Apple and Samsung have been dealing with slower growth as their products have matured over the past few years. Image: GuideNOP/Shutterstock
Once seen as cutting edge, Google, Apple and Samsung are sliding in the PwC Global ICT 50 ranking due to slower growth and maturing technologies.
This year’s list was topped by IBM, Microsoft and SAP and all of the top 10 players have a significant base in Ireland.
The list shows that older players are being displaced by the rise of internet of things (IoT), big data and other new technologies.
At least 11 new companies have broken into the top 50, including Amadeus, Computer Associates, NetApp and Salesforce.
‘Digitisation, mobility, IoT, big data and other new technologies are reshaping how companies go to market, how they innovate, and how they evolve their portfolios’
– DAVID LEE
“The ICT ecosystem is converging,” explained David Lee, PwC Ireland’s technology leader. “Digitisation, mobility, IoT, big data and other new technologies are reshaping how companies go to market, how they innovate, and how they evolve their portfolios.”
Looking at the results of this year’s Global ICT 50 study, you can see both established leaders, like IBM and Microsoft, as well as newer additions to the list, such as NetApp. But evaluating performance provides only one part of the story. In addition to recognising the movers and shakers in the ICT space, this year’s study examines how leading companies define their underlying strategy.
“If you’re a leader at an enterprise technology company, one of the most valuable strategic activities you can undertake today is to be clear on your value proposition, and ultimately the source of value for your shareholders.
“Leading ICT companies differentiate themselves based on what they can do that no one else can – and this takes many different flavours.”
Musical chairs in the ICT 50
The PwC IT 50 by category. Image: PwC
While the top five ranked companies remained the same, there were significant moves among the rest of the ICT 50.
Apple (8th) and Alphabet/Google (10th) both lost ground but remained in the top 10, while Samsung dropped to 11th from 7th place last year. All three companies have been dealing with slower growth as their products have matured over the past few years.
Intel leapfrogged from 24th to 12th place, as it evolved its product portfolio from a hardware focus into a more integrated mix.
11 companies moved into the ICT 50, including six in the top 30: Salesforce (19th), Computer Associates (20th), Amadeus (23rd), Adobe Systems (24th), Alibaba (26th) and Nokia (30th).
Some have been on the list for years, while others – like Adobe Systems or Nokia – re-entered the list after rekindling growth and significant M&A transactions.
Physical infrastructure and geographic constraints continued to challenge telecommunications and regional IT services providers – none were in the top 15 this year.
