2022-2024

Technology Adoption Roadmap

for Midsize Enterprises

IT leaders from more than 400 midsize enterprises (MSEs)

collaborated to map the adoption of 53 technologies according
to their deployment stage, enterprise value and deployment risk.

Se
cu
o rk 5G
ri t
tw
In Pilot

y
Ne Cloud-Managed Extended
Networks (CMNs) Detection
and Response Zero Trust
(XDR) Network Access
Direct Cloud
Completion 2023

(ZTNA)
Connect
Deployment

Security Orchestration,
Identity-Based Automation and Response
Segmentation (SOAR) Solutions
Enhanced (Microsegmentation) Endpoint Detection
Internet and Response (EDR)
Software-
Defined WAN Secure Access Service
s
ice

(SD-WAN) Edge (SASE) Cloud Access Security Natural

Brokers (CASBs) Language
Serv

AI Cloud
Completion 2022

Processing
Serverless Services Managed
Deployment

Network Traffic
Computing Detection and Citizen
Analysis
ructure and Platform

Response (MDR) Integrator Tools

API

Digital Wo kplace
OS Edge Management
Containers Computing PaaS Network Detection
Data Science and and Response (NDR) Workplace Analytics
Hyperconverged Machine Learning Customer
Distributed Citizen Data
Infrastructure Software Platforms Journey Analytics
Cloud Systems Science Tools
Unified Endpoint
r

Management
Integration Cloud Text Mining
Platform as a Cloud Data Migration
Microservices Backup
Service (iPaaS) Hybrid Tools Citizen
nfrast

Cloud Managed IoT Workstream Automation and

IoT Business Computing Services Collaboration Tools Development
Solution Platforms
Application
I

Hybrid Cloud (CADPs)

e

Network Performance
Enterprise
t

Storage
pu

Automation and Monitoring

Endpoint Backup
Orchestration (APM)
m

Tools
Co

Augmented Artificial
Cloud DBMS Analytics Intelligence
Infrastructure IT Operations
Virtual Machine as Code (IaC) (AIOps) Platforms
Backup and Recovery
Cloud Data
Warehouse Cloud
Application
Digital Discovery
St Robotic Experience
or Disaster Recovery-as- Process Monitoring
ag n
e
a-Service (DRaaS) Automation (DEM) io
an at
dD om
ata Aut
bas I T
e

Enterprise Value
The value factor awarded to each technology is based on the analysis of value drivers,
including increasing cost efficiency, improving speed and agility, enabling resilience,
and enhancing employee productivity.

Low Medium High

Deployment Risk
The risk factor awarded to each technology is based on the analysis of potential risks
posed, including cybersecurity risks, implementation cost, talent availability, vendor
supply chain disruption and geopolitical risks.

Low Medium High

Key Take-Aways
Cybersecurity
MSEs prioritize investments in Managed Detection and Response
(MDR) and threat detection to manage evolving digital risks. MSEs are
responding to surging ransomware attacks by deploying MDR, Network
Detection and Response (NDR), Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
and Extended Detection and Response (XDR). MSEs plan to complete
deployment of MDR in 2022 despite high implementation risks. Although
MSEs appear enthusiastic to deploy XDR by 2023, mainstream deployment
may take longer since the XDR market is still in its formative stages.
MSEs deploy Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) while Zero Trust
Network Access (ZTNA) remains in pilot. After piloting SASE in 2021, MSEs
plan to deploy it by the end of 2022 to shift from hardware-centric security
offerings to cloud-centric security services. While zero trust security posture
is integral to the SASE architecture, MSEs are still evaluating the benefits
and risks of ZTNA, especially as a replacement for VPN.

Future of Work
MSEs prioritize investments in hybrid and remote work environments
over collaboration and productivity tools. MSEs have pushed deployment
for Workplace Analytics and Workstream Collaboration Tools to 2023.
MSEs are prioritizing deployment of cloud and security technologies that
strengthen infrastructure for remote and hybrid work. In 2022, MSEs plan
to complete deployment of NDR, MDR and SASE. Distributed Cloud Systems
and Hybrid Cloud Storage are also trending, prompting their prioritized
deployment.
MSEs experiment with Citizen Automation and Development Platforms
(CADPs) to enable democratized delivery. While MSEs plan to deploy
Citizen Integrator Tools by 2023, they are currently piloting CADPs to
support low-code development environments for business users. By
investing in lower-risk citizen technologies, MSEs aim to drive business-
led IT and hyperautomation while improving speed and agility.
MSEs lag in adoption of Natural Language Processing (NLP) despite
prior plans to adopt in 2022. Despite a previously planned deployment in
2021, MSEs remain in the pilot phase for NLP due to accuracy challenges
in language translation. Despite advancements in NLP technologies, the
complexity and ambiguity of the human language continues to be an
obstacle for mainstream deployment.

Productivity and Operational Efficiency

MSEs experiment with Enhanced Internet to manage a complex
applications environment. MSEs are piloting Enhanced Internet in 2022 for
a reliable, high-performance internet experience at lower costs. A growing
number of SD-WAN and SASE vendors offer integrated Enhanced Internet
capabilities, prompting MSEs to evaluate potential efficiencies. While 20%
of MSEs have already deployed the technology, others are still evaluating
how well it lives up to market hype.
MSEs invest in AI (Artificial Intelligence), Data Science and Machine
Learning (DSML) platforms to improve operational efficiency of
infrastructure. MSEs adopt DSML platforms, AI cloud services and AIOps to
make digital business more observable across on-premises, cloud and edge
computing architectures. Despite indicating high-deployment risks for AI
technologies, over 64% of the MSEs are either currently deploying or have
already deployed AI cloud services and AIOps.
MSEs look beyond 5G services to satisfy the growing demand for
network efficiencies. MSEs are piloting 5G in 2022, despite earlier plans
for deployment in 2021. Although MSEs identify 5G services as high
value, inconsistent coverage and lack of supported devices prevent wider
adoption. Instead, MSEs plan to deploy identity-based segmentation,
SD-WAN and Network Traffic Analysis by 2023 for secure and consistent
network coverage that enhances employee productivity.
MSEs invest in API management PaaS to cope with unpredictable API
traffic and limited internal support skills. As an alternative to purchasing
stand-alone software to manage APIs, MSEs plan to deploy API management
PaaS by end of 2022 after successfully piloting it in 2021. MSEs are
recognizing the advantages of API management PaaS in supporting
cloud platforms and automation. Talent shortages in specialized skills
also preclude MSEs from hiring staff to support API management.

Source: Gartner
Note: Midsize enterprises (MSEs) are defined as organizations with greater than $50 million and less than $1 billion in revenue.

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