Why business intelligence will be worth $18.3 billion in 2017
The technology offers the agility executives are looking for to build their business


Gartner has predicted that the business intelligence market will be worth $18.3 billion (14.74 billion) by the end of this year, thanks to executives realising the agility modern BI software offers.
However, the following few years will see its popularity decelerate as the technology becomes mainstream, the analyst house said. This means the market will be worth $22.8 billion (18.37 billion) by 2020, which reflects an increase of 19% over the next three years, compared to a huge 63.6% between 2015 and the end of this year.
Research VP Rita Sallam explained that modern BI and analytics tools have come on leaps and bounds and the market is expanding much faster than traditional insight tools that don't perhaps offer the same levels of agility.
"Purchasing decisions continue to be influenced heavily by business executives and users who want more agility and the option for small personal and departmental deployments to prove success," she explained. "Enterprise-friendly buying models have become more critical to successful deployments."
She added that other factors are influencing the acceleration of the market too, including an increased need for governance, more complex data, demand for embedded analytics, the boom in devices, sensors and people that are forcing businesses to make faster decisions and marketplaces that have evolved to help organisations buy and sell analytic capabilities.
Gartner explained that cloud technologies are enabling the modern BI landscape to change and grow. Thanks to the demand from businesses flocking to the cloud, it said, new vendors are able to be disruptive.
"Organisations will benefit from the many new and innovative vendors continuing to emerge, as well as significant investment in innovation from large vendors and venture capital-funded startups," Sallam added.
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
"They do, however, need to be careful to limit their technical debt that can occur when multiple stand-alone solutions that demonstrate business value quickly, turn into production deployments without adequate attention being paid to design, implementation and support."

Clare is the founder of Blue Cactus Digital, a digital marketing company that helps ethical and sustainability-focused businesses grow their customer base.
Prior to becoming a marketer, Clare was a journalist, working at a range of mobile device-focused outlets including Know Your Mobile before moving into freelance life.
As a freelance writer, she drew on her expertise in mobility to write features and guides for ITPro, as well as regularly writing news stories on a wide range of topics.
-
Should AI PCs be part of your next hardware refresh?
AI PCs are fast becoming a business staple and a surefire way to future-proof your business
By Bobby Hellard Published
-
Westcon-Comstor and Vectra AI launch brace of new channel initiatives
News Westcon-Comstor and Vectra AI have announced the launch of two new channel growth initiatives focused on the managed security service provider (MSSP) space and AWS Marketplace.
By Daniel Todd Published
-
Put AI to work for talent management
Whitepaper Change the way we define jobs and the skills required to support business and employee needs
By ITPro Published
-
More than a number: Your risk score explained
Whitepaper Understanding risk score calculations
By ITPro Published
-
Four data challenges holding back your video business
whitepaper Data-driven insights are key to making strategic business decisions that chart a winning route
By ITPro Published
-
Creating a proactive, risk-aware defence in today's dynamic risk environment
Whitepaper Agile risk management starts with a common language
By ITPro Published
-
How to choose an HR system
Whitepaper What IT leaders need to know
By ITPro Published
-
Sustainability and TCO: Building a more power-efficient business
Whitepaper Sustainable thinking is good for the planet and society, and your brand
By ITPro Published
-
What is small data and why is it important?
In-depth Amid a deepening ocean of corporate information and business intelligence, it’s important to keep things manageable with small data
By Steve Cassidy Published
-
Microsoft's stellar cloud performance bolsters growth amid revenue slump
News The tech giant partly blames unstable exchange rates and increased energy costs for the slowdown
By Rory Bathgate Published