T H E 1 2 T H U THE MOST PRESSING CHALLENGES SOFTWARE & PLATFORMS CROSS INDUSTRY N I T E D N A 1 TALENT SCARCITY 2 CYBERCRIME 3 LACK OF RELEVANT SKILLS T I O N E S G L 17% O B A & 14% 6% L C O 59% M P 42% 40% 36% A 26% 30% C T R - A C C E While the software and platforms N T U industry drives a more efficient, P R CURRENT LANDSCAPE E C interconnected market, CEOs are E O S T looking to raise their ambition and TOP RESILIENCE ACTIONS FOR SOFTWARE & PLATFORMS CEOS U D lead in sustainability and security. Y Protecting the world’s data, using of CEOs are of CEOs are of CEOs are digitizing upskilling or engaging in 77% 73% 68% it responsibly, and doing so in Lbusiness processes reskilling their workforce long-term strategic a climate-friendly manner will WA for the future labor market partnerships define whether the software and platforms industry can continue to With the global pandemic forcing the world online, industry CEOs are experiencing significant growth as economies become increasingly deliver the outsized returns it has Areliant on digital infrastructure. Core to meeting this demand is a skilled, productive workforce. However, high competition for talent – compounded by a lack of skilled employees to meet this demand – has severely impacted the software and platforms industry. CEOs are, generated over the last two decades.Ttherefore, focusing on upskilling their workforce on topics such as AI, machine learning, and computer vision skills, to ensure that they have the right set of skills to address upcoming needs. To scale their impact and minimize their footprint, CEOs in software and platforms are engaging in strategic partnerships with their upstream and downstream value chain partners to tackle their scope 3 emissions. FTF Leaders see this as core to their decarbonization strategy. WHERE IS THE INDUSTRY GOING? TOP SUSTAINABILITY PRIORITIES FOR SOFTWARE & PLATFORMS CEOS O of CEOs are of CEOs are of CEOs are investing in advancing enhancing 70% 64% 61% skills development digital transformation diversity and inclusion “Companies’ ability to train and O upskill employees in the newest technology skills – such as SWhile the software and platforms industry remains in near-constant evolution, a few trends are certain: the green transition is underway, coding for AI and robotic process big data will continue to get bigger, and demand for software-based efficiencies will only grow. As CEOs develop their strategies, automation – ensures employee sustainability sits at the center of leaders’ approaches. Those furthest along are integrating sustainability directly into their business retention, as well as employer RMmodels – whether by developing tools to better manage carbon footprints, transitioning to green hardware and efficient data centers, or attractiveness.”adopting energy-efficient cloud systems. As pressures continue to mount on the infrastructure deployed by the software and platforms industry through the adoption of artificial intelligence, the internet of things, blockchain, and the metaverse, these sustainable evolutions Rohit Kapoor, Vice Chairman & CEO will transform the industry to be more resilient through limiting dependency on volatile energy markets. of EXL TRANSFORMATIVE INNOVATIONS Cloud computing and data architecture 71% Cloud-native cybersecurity 63% S Data integration across value chain partners 56% Digital tools for management of sustainability data 54% Low-carbon data centers 40% HIGH IMPACT MODERATE IMPACT LOW IMPACT NO IMPACT 114 115