Webinar emphasizes increasing role of smart services and highlights the third industrial revolution

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--IDC Manufacturing Insights today announced details of a webinar to reveal the Top 10 Predictions in the Manufacturing Industry for 2013. The complementary, one hour webinar will be held on December 6th at 2:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time and focus on the trends that will impact global technology spending and the use of information technology in key process areas. IDC Manufacturing Insights' latest findings will be revealed and attendees will learn more about global IT investment trends for 2013 as well as urgent business initiatives. The top 10 predictions will cover supply chain, demand management, product lifecycle management, operations technology and sustainability and focus on near-term issues and innovation, as well as longer-term and emerging trends. IDC Manufacturing Insights Group Vice President, Bob Parker, will be joined by analysts Joe Barkai, Sheila Brennan, Simon Ellis, Kimberly Knickle, and Pierfrancesco Manenti.

To register, please visit: http://bit.ly/MI_Predictions2013_Manufacturing.

As a preview to the full list of predictions, IDC Manufacturing Insights expects the following three trends will make an impact on the manufacturing industry in the coming year:

*Generational change at the executive level (getting younger) means that investment will be longer term in nature. 2013 will be a year of foundational investments that create capabilities for competitive advantage for the next five years and beyond.

*Smart services will take a leading role in manufacturing firms' profitable growth strategies. Initiatives like connected vehicles in the automotive industry will deliver completely new business models.

*The third industrial revolution - additive manufacturing technology like 3D printing and advanced robotics - will make their way onto more factory floors. This investment will set the stage for new levels of productivity gains and the ability to offer highly customized products.

For additional information about these predictions or to arrange a one-on-one briefing, please contact Sarah Murray at 781-378-2674 or sarah@attunecommunications.com. Reports are available to qualified members of the media. For information on purchasing reports, contact insights@idc.com; reporters should email sarah@attunecommunications.com.

About IDC Manufacturing Insights

IDC Manufacturing Insights assists manufacturing businesses and IT leaders, as well as the suppliers who serve them in making more effective technology decisions by providing accurate, timely, and insightful fact-based research and consulting services. Staffed by senior analysts with decades of industry experience, our global research analyzes and advises on business and technology issues facing asset intensive, brand oriented, technology oriented, and engineering oriented manufacturing industries. International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology market. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology, media, research, and events company. For more information, please visit www.idc-mi.com, email info@idc-mi.com, or call 508-988-7900. Visit the IDC Manufacturing Insights Community at http://idc-insights-community.com/manufacturing.