Document Mgt Roll-up: IDC Predicts Massive Doc Software Boost, iOS Offers Better Syncing

By David Roe (@druadh20) Nov 22, 2011

Even with Thanksgiving, there are still some interesting developments in document management. IDC is predicting a massive growth in sophisticated peripherals, iOS 5 has new, added document syncing, Perceptive releases ModusOne, DataMotion’s SecureMail technology goes mobile and IIS partners with OPEX.

Document Software Sales to Jump

According to IDC, worldwide document solutions software revenues will grow from US$ 3.4 billion in 2010 to US $ 5.5 billion in 2015 as the global market shifts from for hard-copy peripherals to more comprehensive document solutions that increase efficiencies.

The findings are contained in the newly published Worldwide and U.S. Document Solutions 2011-2015 Forecast, which identifies a number of trends for which we have seen considerable anecdotal, but no concrete research.

The fact that it’s IDC making the prediction gives the research added clout. It also says that the mobile device explosion is also positively affecting document solutions.

The growing adoption of mobile devices within businesses offers new output opportunities, while creating a need for new content management solutions to secure business-critical information. Worldwide, mobile printing solution software will grow from US$ 68.3 million in 2010 to $1.0 billion in 2015, a compound annual growth rate of 71.2%.

Other interesting findings include:

Authentication, authorization, and security software revenues will experience double-digit growth rates through the forecast period.
The worldwide paper/digital document management solutions segment continues to be the largest in dollars.
Networked hardcopy peripherals (hardwire or wireless) and mobile devices are putting additional strain on IT for secure monitoring and management.

The IDC study examines the market for document solutions software that leverage MFPs, document imaging scanners and printers. It also analyzes the worldwide and U.S. document solutions markets with specific emphasis on paper-to-digital document management, device management and output management. If you’re interested in more, you can buy the full report.

iOS 5 Document Syncing

While the most publicized improvement in Apple’s iOS update, iOS 5.0.1, focused to a large extent on improvements to a major battery issue with iPhone 4, there were also a number of tweaks that fixed issues around document handling.

One of those fixes was around the document syncing issues with Apple's iCloud. As a result, users will have fewer problems pulling up documents globally and consequently, there will be fewer issues updating the document.

According to reports, the iCloud bug was hitting everyone from iPad 1 users to those who just acquired an iPhone 4S.

Though Apple products are favored by many, while this bug issue is worked out, businesses may have to hand out flash drives to employees to more easily transport information. Reports also suggest that while the document issue has been resolved with this new upgrade, there are still issues around battery life.

DataMotion Secures Mobile Email

Meanwhile, email encryption provider DataMotion has announced that its SecureMail technology has been optimized for mobile users. SecureMail ensures that all critical business communications are sent securely and are compliant with privacy regulations.

SecureMail's new mobile support also improves the users' experience for recipients when they gain access to secure messages from their smartphones and tablets. Mobile users can create, read and reply to SecureMail encrypted email messages just as they would on a desktop or laptop, through an experience optimized for their device.