The Third Annual Direction of Technology Ecosystem Report 
Introduction
To meet the challenges of the moment, today’s leaders need the expertise, specialized training and skills that will shape tomorrow.
Over the past year, more than half of the world’s population has experienced political elections and ongoing market volatility, leading many industries, including tech, to a crossroads. Today, TD SYNNEX channel partners — spanning tech resellers, systems integrators, service providers and managed service providers — are determining what direction to take as they work to deliver meaningful solutions to people across the globe.
To grow their organizations and create value for their customers, the companies we surveyed plan to invest in strong technology infrastructure, leverage high-growth technologies and work in close conjunction with expert, trusted partners.
About the Direction of Technology Ecosystem Report
We surveyed tech businesses across the ecosystem, including resellers, systems integrators, managed service providers and more. As with past surveys, this year we assessed revenue growth, views on current business models and expectations for the years ahead.
The survey was conducted from April to June 2024 via an online questionnaire. We captured feedback from a record 1,006 business-to-business (B2B) channel partners from over 60 countries in all our global regions — North America (NA), Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ).
0+ countries
The survey revealed five key trends 
:
Leading With Ingenuity and Flexibility
Tech leaders know certifications and specialization are keys to success in the dynamic tech marketplace, especially in cybersecurity (58%), data privacy (58%) and artificial intelligence (AI) (45%). At the same time, they’re optimizing flexible spending solutions to meet the needs of their customer base in today’s shifting economic climate.
Learn MoreDriving Innovation With
a Strong Foundation
With AI changing the way we do business, channel partners are under mounting pressure to make the case for high-growth technologies, including nearly half (44%) who plan to offer AI in the next two years. To power the future, the ecosystem is investing in core technologies like security and hardware, ensuring that the new goes hand-in-hand with the foundational.
Learn MoreLeveraging Essential
Solutions for a
Complex World
This year, products at the intersection of security and innovation are driving the financial success of the channel and the broader marketplace. Respondents identified security as the top profit generator in the ecosystem, while networking, endpoint devices, AI and hyperscale infrastructure round out their top revenue drivers.
Learn MorePrioritizing Collaboration,
Coordination and Consolidation
The technology ecosystem thrives when leaders embrace the interconnection of the channel. With nearly three-quarters of information technology (IT) spend (73.2%) driven by partners in 2024, it’s clear that collaboration will be crucial as the channel contends with rising competition and technological transformation.
Learn MoreMeeting Regulation and Mitigating Risk
Across all industries, global topics like climate change, human rights and strong corporate governance are changing the regulatory and risk landscape. Respondents are keenly aware of this, identifying environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards as one of the top two challenges for their business in the next two years. To stay on top of this shifting landscape, partners plan to offer technology solutions that help customers move toward a more sustainable and equitable society.
Learn MoreAt TD SYNNEX, technology is personal
Relationships matter. Driving a customer-centric and partner-focused culture centered on commercial excellence means putting people first, understanding their needs and making sure we deliver on them.
TD SYNNEX partners with the entire technology ecosystem to manage relentless transformation, execute confidently and evolve to capture opportunities up ahead. We connect the technology partner ecosystem to help people achieve great things with technology and unlock potential for all.
Inspired by our new brand campaign, “Making IT Personal,” we have featured the experiences and successes of our partners throughout this report. Our aspiration and commitment in service to our partners and the ecosystem is grounded in stories of our customers and co-workers just like these. We plan to continue adding more of their voices in the coming year.
Tailor-made solutions and services for a complex, interconnected network
Offer products such as cloud, software and AI technology.
Market and distribute technology to smaller retailers.
Manufacture and market technology products.
Use technology to get the job done.
Leading With Ingenuity and Flexibility
Business leaders across all sectors face intensifying regulatory demands that require new expertise and disclosure on issues including climate impacts, AI ethics and workplace equity.
In this shifting landscape, there’s no set playbook for today’s tech leaders, who are also learning how to optimize and develop new opportunities and solutions for our evolving world in real time.
To prepare for the changes to come, respondents told us they are working to bolster the capabilities of their teams, prioritizing security skills (30%) and AI skills (27%) in their hiring processes. They’re also seeking deeper regulatory knowledge on issues from cybersecurity and data privacy (58%) to AI (45%). At the same time, they’re focused on providing flexible financing solutions to help their customers through the current economic climate. Tech leaders understand that today’s uncertainties necessitate strong partnerships, increased skill sets and new ways of doing business to ensure that customers have access to the capabilities and services of tomorrow.
Prioritizing affordability and flexibility
Many of the top business solutions offered by vendors, resellers and other tech leaders address affordability and flexibility, responding to the evolving needs of their customer base. Customers and end users continue to need credit and financing options, and leaders are focused on providing solutions, from flexible payment terms to preferred pricing, to support them through the current economic climate.
This year, about half of respondents say they offer flexible consumption models (54%), cybersecurity certifications and standards (53%) and flexible payment terms (50%). In addition, credit/financing/leasing (44%) and preferred pricing (42%) are offered by many in the ecosystem. These efforts indicate the ongoing financial pressures faced by both businesses and their customers, as well as the ways in which companies are adapting and evolving new consumption models to foster continued innovation and development.
TD SYNNEX is bringing in the technology and connecting us to the experts, our peers in the field and then constantly elevating it to the next level. It’s a continuous thing that helps my company and me stay current and relevant. Learning is so much a part of our technology enablement. 
John Tanner
CEO and Chief Strategist
C4G Enterprises Inc.
Top 5 business solutions
currently offered
consumption
models
0%
certifications
and standards
0%
payment
terms
0%
Financing/
Leasing
0%
pricing
0%
Simple tech and transactional solutions are needed
When asked what factors matter to them most when selecting a distribution partner like TD SYNNEX, most respondents identified simplified, specialized tech solutions (61%), followed by ease of transacting business (55%) and business enablement (48%).
These priorities underscore the importance of flexible financing options to the channel ecosystem, as well as services and solutions that help companies simplify business execution and advance tech solutions to their end users.
Key needs of the tech ecosystem
Respondents prioritize simple tech solutions and ease of transacting business when selecting a distribution partner.
New skills needed to support the evolving landscape
The tight labor market of recent years has been driven, in part, by persistent tech skills gaps that exist across many sectors that employ knowledge workers. Employees and prospects alike are fighting to keep up with rapid tech advances, including AI, and don’t always have the latest skills needed for many open jobs on the market today. In turn, companies are struggling to both hire for open positions and upskill their current workforces to meet the evolving demands of the market.
This year, we’re seeing respondents place particular emphasis on in-demand tech skills in their hiring priorities, including security (30%), AI, machine learning (ML) and generative AI (GenAI) (27%), networking (21%) and cloud services (21%). Over the past few years, AI skills have risen significantly in priority, from just 8% in 2022 to 27% in 2024 — a 238% increase — underscoring just how quickly this new technology is becoming embedded in the workforce.
Technology skills partners need to hire for
0%
0%
0%
0%
infrastructure
0%
0%
predictive analytics
0%
0%
analytics
0%
0%
Respondents see security and AI skills as their top hiring priorities in the year ahead.
The top business skills needed mirror respondents’ priorities last year, signaling the continued importance of associated business functions in the short and long term.
Rapid tech advancements are radically shifting expectations for the workforce, and the average amount of time a skill remains valuable to an organization is now estimated to be less than five years, and as low as two and a half years in some tech sectors. Reskilling the workforce to keep up with these demands has become a strategic imperative, making this a critical time for companies across the ecosystem to join hands. Together, tech partners hold vast expertise in the latest technologies and can help provide training and resources on new solutions as they emerge, bringing in qualified experts and getting the existing workforce up to speed.
In addition to hiring for the latest tech skills, respondents are also prioritizing professional and managed services skills in their hiring. The most in-demand skills include business consulting (43%) and managed services (37%), both capabilities that could potentially support tech leaders as they explore new strategies for growth.
Business skills needed
You have to be adaptive and invest in people. Our apprenticeship program is not only an investment in the future of the company it also builds the competence needed to navigate a market — and a product portfolio — that’s always changing.
Joshua Cooper
Business Admin Apprentice
TD SYNNEX
Critical expertise for emerging regulations and technologies
In addition to direct technology and business skills, regulatory expertise will be crucial as companies navigate shifting global realities, including increasingly unpredictable climate events and mounting concerns about AI ethics.
When considering the particular regulatory expertise they will need for their business today and in the future, respondents identified cybersecurity (58%), data privacy (58%) and AI (45%) as the most important. With these issues becoming more important on the global stage, businesses will need deeper internal knowledge to stay ahead of the curve.
In the next two years, respondents know they will need regulatory expertise for cybersecurity, AI, ESG, and data privacy and protection.
Most important regulatory expertise today and in 2 years’ time
Product Spotlight
TD SYNNEX Capital
Today, businesses and their customers are increasingly in need of financial solutions that are flexible, reliable, creative and secure. With these needs in mind, we established TD SYNNEX Capital, a software financing solution that helps tech partners increase profits while ensuring that financial restraints aren’t a barrier to solving customer challenges. Now available globally, this solution is a major benefit to companies of any size.
Driving Innovation With a Strong Foundation
AI continues to spur innovation across the tech ecosystem and is poised to advance progress in unprecedented ways.
Respondents are ready for the surge to come, with nearly half (44%) planning to offer AI in the next two years — an increase of 214% since 2022.
While increasing AI investment, respondents are also continuing to prioritize critical technologies like security, which remains the top-offered tech solution this year. Other in-demand tech — including hardware, data storage, services and more — provide the springboard for new innovations like GenAI and AI services, which about half of respondents (52% and 48%, respectively) expect to offer in the coming year.
Customers are driving AI demand
As AI offerings increasingly come to market, companies are seeing rising demand from their users and customers, who are eager to understand how new tech can make their work stronger.
This year, respondents reported that about two-thirds of their customers (65%) are requesting AI proofs of concept at least some of the time. These proofs of concept allow companies to demonstrate the viability of AI-related ideas in development, exploring their potential to drive value for both individuals and the broader market.
In fact, one in three respondents say they’re getting requests for GenAI proofs of concepts frequently or in every deal — a sign that AI is already essential for many businesses today.
of respondents in 2024 have received requests for GenAI proofs of concept.
How often
customers are requesting GenAI proofs of concept*
*Numbers do not sum due to rounding.
Customers want to know how AI can help them achieve their goals before they commit.
Supporting AI demand while prioritizing security
As we see tech leaders increasingly focus on AI development and implementation, it’s not at the expense of other foundational solutions like cloud and data storage. Rather, it’s evolving to make these systems even more effective for the businesses and people who use them.
In the next two years, respondents say the top four solutions they plan to offer include security (49%), AI/GenAI (46%), hybrid cloud (39%) and networking (38%). This is a marked year-over-year difference, with AI jumping from the fourth-most-named offering to the second. Still, security has remained the top offering, underscoring the importance of protecting data integrity and securing against threats posed by geopolitical instability.
Top technology
solutions
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
infrastructure
0%
devices
0%
While AI solutions have risen in importance, core technologies remain high priority.
AI offerings accelerate
Still, the rise of AI has been dramatic. Over the past three years, more and more respondents have named AI as a top solution they plan to offer — from just 14% in 2022 to 44% in 2024, a 214% increase. Because of AI’s role in advancing other tech development, we will continue to see companies head in this direction, harnessing high-growth solutions to bring their businesses into the future.
Companies planning to offer AI/GenAI in the next 2 years
Nearly half of respondents now plan to offer AI solutions, an increase of 214%
in two years.
Large language models and GenAI have expanded our customer base and what we can do for those customers across every industry, allowing us to move from a business based mostly in Texas to selling all over the country. It’s a big investment for our customers to move toward an AI center of excellence, but with the right support it can help the business take off. 
Stan Wysocki
President
Mark III Systems
Staying ahead of the AI curve through personal relationships
GenAI and AI services are top offerings
As demand for AI increases overall, respondents are homing in on certain types of AI technology. In the next 12 months, more than half expect to offer GenAI (52%), which organizations are increasingly using to support key business functions such as marketing, product development and IT. Additionally, 48% plan to offer AI services (48%), which support end users with building and fine-tuning AI models, assessing AI maturity, integrating AI in existing infrastructure and more.
More than one-third anticipate offering AI servers, devices (AI PCs), AI training and enablement and AI storage, signaling that an array of distinct services are in development today. In particular, devices like AI-enabled PCs are poised to transform the workplace, massively increasing processing capacity, enhancing security and energy efficiency, and bolstering both productivity and creativity for individuals and organizations alike.
AI solutions companies plan to offer in the next year
At least one-third of respondents plan to offer one or more of the AI solutions we asked about.
AI is starting to drive business
While proofs of concept represent the early stages of bringing AI solutions to market, deal closures signify a crucial step toward getting these solutions into the hands of the people who will use them. When we asked respondents how many AI deals they closed within the last year — along with how many they expect to close in the coming year — we found again that the broader ecosystem is gearing up for tangible growth.
In the last year, most respondents (77%) report closing deals involving AI, revealing that AI is no longer just a concept to be discussed but a product to be delivered. They expect to handle even more AI deals in the next 12 months, once again indicating how important it will be to keep up with growing demand.
Furthermore, while 23% of respondents reported closing no deals involving AI in 2024, only 6% expect this kind of outcome next year. To keep up, tech leaders will need to embrace AI deals — and those who don’t will be left behind.
The days of “no deals” involving AI are waning
AI deals partners closed and expect to close
Respondents expect to close even more AI deals in the next year.
Product Spotlight
Destination AI
TD SYNNEX leads the IT ecosystem in the development and implementation of high-growth technologies, and we have seen a rising need for expertise in today’s fast-moving market. Our Destination AI program, which we recently rolled out globally, is designed to help channel partners grow and maximize their AI practice and gain a competitive edge by connecting them to an evolving network of validated AI solutions. The four-part program begins by increasing users’ awareness of the AI market, and then provides support before, during and after sales, offering expertise and guidance on how to implement and monitor AI services.
Leveraging Essential Solutions for a Complex World
Global conflicts — across the Middle East, Eastern Europe and beyond — threaten financial markets, disrupt supply chains and raise the stakes for security as persistent inflation and rising interest rates necessitate strategic business shifts.
This year, respondents shared that cybersecurity solutions are as important as ever — something we heard in past reports as well.
Year after year, respondents have identified security as their top-sold product, and about one-third named security as one of their top three revenue drivers in 2024. Meanwhile, the demand for AI is accelerating, with AI/GenAI/ML solutions jumping from the 17th most-sold product in 2023 to eighth on the list.
For end users and channel partners alike, security solutions provide peace of mind, risk reduction and efficiency in today’s complex global landscape. Still, in an industry and market that moves quickly, tech companies must simultaneously strengthen security offerings while pushing forward the most innovative features. Only by embracing both can companies solve problems and create new opportunities for their customers across the globe.
Revenue performance tempered, but with few declines
Respondents saw more moderate revenue performance in 2024, with only one in five (21%) reporting growth of 10%, compared to nearly half (45%) in 2022. However, fewer experienced declines than in the past two years (5% in 2024 vs. 9% in 2023), a sign that financial performance is relatively stable for the channel despite economic and geopolitical shifts.
Revenue performance
between 2022 and 2024*
*Numbers do not sum due to rounding.
reported revenue growth
reported revenue decline
Security and innovation drive revenue
Digging deeper into what’s shaping financial performance, respondents identified security, networking, endpoint devices, AI/GenAI/ML and hyperscale infrastructure as their top five revenue drivers today. One-third (32%) named security as one of their top three revenue drivers, making it the top product identified by respondents for generating profits.
Top 3 revenue drivers
Respondents identified security as their top revenue driver today.
Technology doesn’t only grow in a positive direction; it also advances into darker areas. We must act proactively and innovate, which means taking something, improving it and moving it a step further — to help companies protect themselves and safeguard the crucial asset that is information. 
Carolina Masso
CEO
Gama Ingenieros
Companies are embracing consistency in their product offerings as the world shifts around them.
Stability in the product portfolio
Looking back, respondents reported big shifts in their product portfolios between 2022 and 2023, including hardware resale declines from 35% to 20%. These and other shifts — showing a growing focus on services over hardware — signal that tech leaders have been keenly aware of evolving customer needs and are focused on addressing their most pressing concerns
This year, companies seem to be taking a more measured approach overall. Sales of services have stayed consistent (42% in 2023 to 41% in 2024), along with hardware resale (20% in 2023 to 22% in 2024), while IP sales have become more moderate (from 10% in 2023 to 6% in 2024). With so much shifting politically, economically and environmentally, businesses are staying the current course as the road ahead takes shape.
Business mix
remained stable between 2023 and 2024
Our vision is growth while maintaining our culture. How do we continue being Chorus while going into different countries, working globally, making new relationships and new partnerships.
Nicola Saner
Managing Director
Chorus
Enabling growth and global scale
Twists and turns are expected
At the same time, tech leaders aren’t resting on their laurels. Respondents expect the landscape will continue to change, with 61% anticipating that software resale will increase in the next three years, along with professional and managed services sales (60% and 58%, respectively). Looking ahead, companies are putting greater emphasis on services and software while continuing to strengthen their existing portfolios to withstand twists and turns along the way.
The emphasis on services is expected to expand in the coming years, but expect to reduce their reliance on the reselling of hardware alone.
Expected portfolio changes in 3 years’ time
Core tech product sales remain steady with high-growth offerings on the rise
Respondents shared that tech essentials — including servers, security and storage — remain the top-sold products between 2023 and 2024. A small decrease in the demand for collaboration technologies suggest that these solutions are less essential as many return to the office.
Technologies sold in 2023 and 2024
(Hover over a category to view the ranking)
What’s ahead for the IT market
There’s reason for optimism and even excitement when looking ahead from this year’s performance. Respondents experienced more revenue growth and fewer declines, despite escalating social and economic instability. Research from the IT Global Opportunity report estimates a 6.2% growth in worldwide IT spending in 2024, reaching US$4.9 trillion. This continued growth in market opportunity is yet another sign that demand is on the rise.
According to the same report, the accelerating IT market is being driven by AI and cybersecurity investments, as the industry prepares for wider AI deployment and data protection becomes an increasing priority. With a clear strategy, strong expertise and strategic partnerships, GenAI is estimated to present a US$159 billion opportunity for the channel ecosystem by 2028. Tech leaders should therefore be encouraged about the road ahead, where interest in high-growth technologies is expanding.
IT spend is expected to hit US$4.9 trillion in 2024, an increase of 6.2%.
Worldwide total addressable IT market by category
, 2024 forecast
(Hover over a category to view the forecast)
Source: Canalys estimates, IT Global Opportunity, February 2024
Product Spotlight
Cyber Range
TD SYNNEX is committed to improving the skills of cybersecurity talent in our partner channel and end user community. Building on our expertise, we’ve created TD SYNNEX Cyber Range, a virtual environment that immerses cybersecurity learners in a real-world customer network simulation for educational training on how best to respond to security threats. While the Cyber Range is currently available in the U.S., cybersecurity is a strong focus in every geography. An example is the European Cybersecurity Practice Builder.
Prioritizing Collaboration, Coordination and Consolidation
The tech ecosystem relies on connection and collaboration for companies to successfully, reliably and safely move forward.
Channel partners share a tremendous amount of expertise, experience and innovative capabilities, and by working together are able to gain a competitive advantage.
When considering what’s next for their business, respondents identified organic growth (50%) and engaging with the channel (42%) as their top two growth strategies in the coming years, showing that many are aware of how important collaboration can be to advancement. And with estimates indicating that nearly three-quarters of IT spend (73.2%) in 2024 has been driven by partners, the journey forward will be most successful if the ecosystem works together.
Travel together, grow together
Respondents shared that they are developing growth strategies to help them harness the momentum of tech transformation, along with the collaborative potential of the broader ecosystem.
While organic and partnership-oriented growth strategies are key, some respondents also report that they aim to acquire organizations (31%), find a buyer (24%) or merge with other organizations (23%).
plan to grow organically while
% plan to engage
with others in the channel
Top drivers of growth
Respondents anticipate that growth will be organic and fueled by engagements with others in the ecosystem.
Notably, we are seeing an uptick in respondents who are seeking a buyer, with 24% saying this strategy is very important in 2024, compared to 18% in 2023 and 11% in 2022. This growth suggests that the high valuation of businesses in the tech channel continues to rise, leading more to consider selling.
We want to grow. Even though it’s challenging to expand into different markets, our relationships with great advisors who support us and over-deliver all the time will make it possible. We rely on partners that treat our business like it’s their own. 
Juan Fernando Castro
CEO
Lan Security Networks
Companies actively seeking a buyer
More than double (118%) the number of partners are looking for a buyer this year over two years ago.
M&A as a growth strategy
For tech leaders considering a merger, acquisition or sale as part of their growth strategy, TD SYNNEX SVP, CFO Americas – U.S., David Jordan encourages everyone at the table to ask, “Where does it make sense to combine this business with something else, that together they can solve for more than the two businesses by themselves?” In other words, any sale is not just about the financial outcome, but about the strategic benefits it provides to the ecosystem and the customers it serves.
Hear more on M&A strategies from TD SYNNEX SVP, CFO Americas – U.S., David Jordan
Contending with increased competition and tech transformation
Amid rapid digital transformation, tech leaders are facing unprecedented challenges to their businesses. About half of respondents say their business is currently impacted by increased competition and margin pressure (52%), as well as the need for ongoing technical education (48%) and digital transformation (48%). By partnering with others in the ecosystem, companies can offer more competitive solutions to their customers, helping them address many of these challenges.
Respondents are challenged by increased competition and evolving tech demands.
Top Business Challenges
competition and
margin pressure
0%
technical
education
0%
transformation for
our own company
0%
change and adoption
0%
and solution sales
training
0%
external factors
(supply chain,
interest rates, etc.)
0%
Channel partners lead global tech sales
While these challenges can sometimes present roadblocks for tech companies, they’re also helping to drive innovation and advancement across the industry. According to recent estimates, global IT spend is projected to grow by US$4.94 trillion in 2024. Nearly three-quarters of this value is driven by partner-delivered services and products — 73.2% compared to 26.8% delivered by vendors.
Certain services are overwhelmingly being delivered by partners, including cybersecurity (91.7%), telecommunications (90.9%), IT services (84.5%) and unified communications (81.5%). Others, like infrastructure (39.9%) and software (35.7%), are more typically vendor-delivered.
Drivers of IT market growth
Partner-delivered solutions account for majority of US$4.94 trillion estimated IT spend.
Source: Canalys estimates, IT Global Opportunity, February 2024
Respondents prioritize domestic growth and seek to expand existing offerings.
Focus on international growth and new verticals
When considering the strategies that underly their growth predictions, companies are looking to both domestic and international markets and prioritizing new growth and expansion of existing offerings. More than half of respondents say they are focused on expanding technology and solution offerings (57%) and growing domestically (51%).
In the last two years, we’ve seen a steady decline in those saying their strategy depends on domestic growth (from 63% in 2022 to 51% in 2024) and a stabilization in those saying they plan to expand current offerings (59% in 2022 to 57% in 2024). While these remain core strategies, we’re also seeing new trends evolve when it comes to international growth and new business.
Top growth strategies
Respondents increasingly prioritize international growth and exploring new verticals.
Over the past several years, more are reporting international growth as very important to their growth strategies — from 26% in 2022 to 39% in 2024, a 50% increase. Entering new vertical markets and sectors has represented a more measured trend for respondents, from 34% in 2022, dipping down to 29% in 2023, and back to 33% in 2024. International growth seems to be the top trend to watch for in the coming years, but with a slight upward swing of delivering services to new vertical markets this year, we may see companies continue to build on new industry-specific offerings as well.
Rising growth strategies
increase in international
growth strategies over two
years ago
Product Spotlight
Global Sales Solutions Team
To help channel partners expand their business across international frontiers, the Global Sales Solutions team leverages our global footprint to forge new connections in more than 150 countries. TD SYNNEX helps partners pursue global sales opportunities while simplifying multinational transactions, ensuring compliance and meeting global end user needs.
Meeting Regulation and Mitigating Risk
As tech leaders forge new, international paths, they will need to get to know unfamiliar landscapes — including shifting and regionally specific approaches to ESG issues.
Stakeholders — from investors to supply chain partners — are urging companies to provide more detailed disclosure about their corporate citizenship efforts and investments to improve practices related to sustainability and human rights.
In recent years, global climate regulations have emerged — such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive [CSRD] in Europe, California’s Climate Accountability Package and proposed SEC rules in the U.S. — requiring businesses to disclose more data on their environmental impact. Today, companies are seeking solutions to help them manage these additional requirements.
Respondents report awareness of ESG issues, with 37% naming ESG standards as one of the top challenges their business will face in the next two years, consistent with last year’s findings. Throughout the supply chain, companies are feeling increased pressure to disclose auditable data and evidence of ESG risk management. Additionally, requests for proposals (RFPs) are increasingly asking questions about ESG practices that require new systems and tracking solutions. These expectations present challenges across the ecosystem, but also an unprecedented opportunity to amplify positive impact and support transparency on many of the most pressing issues of our time.
Rapidly changing ESG standards present both a challenge and opportunity
ESG regulations are being implemented across the globe, providing guidelines and standards that companies will be legally required to follow. Historically, these regulations have been most robust on climate, but there is an increased focus on labor practices, workforce metrics, human rights and more.
ESG regulations provide a roadmap for tech companies to prioritize sustainable practices amidst rapid digital transformation. Still, respondents expect that adhering to emerging ESG regulations will be a top challenge for their business in the next two years.
Relationships are built on trust and reliability. People don’t buy solutions unless they’ve bought in to the person selling the solutions. So we empower our staff to make decisions, access a network and embrace a diversity of thought and experience. 
Brian Saunders
Corporate Sales Manager
TD SYNNEX
Rapid change
and ESG standards are two of many top challenges
Respondents are focused on keeping up with changes in both products and the operating environment.
of North American respondents name DEI metrics a top business solution.
DEI is rising in importance
While supporting ESG efforts more broadly, many companies have become increasingly focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), responding to growing demand for disclosure of metrics like workforce demographic data and equal pay ratios.
DEI represents a growing business imperative, especially in North America where half of respondents offer DEI solutions, compared to 39% of European and 29% of Latin American and Asia Pacific respondents. Meanwhile, Europe is at the forefront in offering broader ESG reporting/accreditation solutions, with nearly one-third (31%) of respondents identifying ESG as a currently offered solution, compared to just 13% in North America. This is likely due to the more stringent climate regulatory requirements that companies face in the EU.
Accessibility and Inclusion in Tech
Global DEI and ESG solutions
Half of respondents in North America currently offer DEI metrics as a business solution for their customers — more than any other region.
DEI metrics as a business solution
Average
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
ESG reporting/accreditation as a business solution
Average
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Across all regions, respondents expect DEI metrics and certifications to become more important in the next two years. Nearly half (46%) named DEI as the #1 business solution they plan to offer, encompassing a wide array of tools — from those that support data disclosure and progress tracking to others that support the workforce with DEI training and resources. This is a marked shift from 2023, when DEI was rated the lowest in expected offerings (25%) compared to the top offering today at 46% — an increase of 84%.
Top business solutions for the next 2 years
Nearly half of respondents say they plan to offer DEI metrics and certifications as a business solution in the next two years.
Product Spotlight
ESG Badge Training Program
We aspire to see environmental progress take hold not only at TD SYNNEX but throughout the IT channel. To support our co-workers, vendors, customers, partners and other IT leaders on their sustainability journeys, TD SYNNEX created our industry-leading badge training program. In 2023, we issued over 700 sustainability badges on carbon and circular economy practices, as well as sustainability essentials, and we continue to see increased participation and completion of badge training.
Navigating What’s Next
The path ahead will be filled with both obstacles and opportunities, with the digital landscape transforming every day, the global economy on uncertain ground and the growing demand for new ways of doing business. Companies are ready for what’s to come and are taking the steps needed to stay ahead of the curve:
Leading with ingenuity and flexibility
Driving innovation with a strong foundation
Leveraging essential solutions for a complex
world
Prioritizing collaboration, coordination and consolidation
Meeting
regulation and mitigating risk
By focusing on these key steps, companies will not only be ready to adapt, but to thrive. Looking ahead, tech leaders must stay focused on how to best optimize and grow their business, as well as how they can deliver solutions that best support the people who will use them. TD SYNNEX channel partners are poised to lead the way, with access to the most innovative technology, resources and solutions, along with an ecosystem of expertise at their fingertips.
