The rapid integration of innovative solutions such as artificial intelligence (AI) coupled with shifting market forces and dramatic changes in the portfolio of vendors is reshaping the way sell, build and services partners in the EAM ecosystem operate. The days of working independently are fast becoming a thing of the past, as companies realize that delivering superior customer experiences now requires a fully holistic, partner-driven approach.
Indeed, in a recent channel survey, 85 percent of businesses said delivering a positive customer experience was a high priority, with 42 percent of respondents stating that they are currently utilizing third-party support to help enhance the customer experience. With customer experience a priority for channel businesses, it’s perhaps not surprising that a further third (29 percent) said they have plans to implement support over the next 12 months to enhance these critical relationships.
Ultimo has always understood this principle and has grown its network of certified partner consultants by 46 percent since 2023 to focus on what it does best: offer more value to clients. This expansion adds hundreds of years of related technical and industry experience such as application performance management, and digital transformation expertise.
A growth market
According to analyst firm Verdantix, spend on the EAM software market reached $4.5 billion in 2024, and will grow at a nine percent CAGR to reach $6.4 billion in 2028. Of the respondents in its most recent global corporate operational excellence survey, 55 percent planned new spend on EAM software last year. Growth is being driven by: –
- Expanding budgets for digital transformation initiatives
- Continued pressure to reduce costs and unplanned downtime
- Recognition of the role EAM software plays in meeting net zero targets.
To address this double-digit growth opportunity in 2025, our go-to-market strategy places a significant emphasis on strategic partnerships across several regions. Ultimo plans to further invest in its partner ecosystem – enhancing existing partnerships and forging new alliances to boost customer success across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.
It is a competitive space, but here are three key trends that look set to impact the EAM technology ecosystems in 2025: –
- Assuring longevity. Choosing the right partners extends beyond the alignment of values. It must assure business longevity. This means aligning to each other’s strengths, expertise and resources to power innovation and development. I also believe that EAM vendors have a responsibility to demonstrate a long-range business strategy and a commitment to innovation, research and development (R&D), and improving the customer experience (look out for more on this in my next blog).
- Agility. With channel partnerships becoming less transactional, flexibility, responsiveness and strategic enablement have become critical success factors in the partner ecosystem. The landscape is challenging. The key to staying competitive and profitable? Adapting fast to changing client demands and market shifts. Flexibility isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s your edge in the game. In a slow-growth economy, businesses that stay ahead offer flexibility and pack extra value into their existing proposition. They adapt smart and thrive stronger and for longer.
- Sustainability. This remains high on the business development agenda and will become more prominent over the next 12 months. Solution providers and the broader IT channel ecosystem work intrinsically with issues such as environmental impact, cost savings, customer expectations, regulatory requirements and business relevance. It’s so important, that Ultimo’s CEO, Johan Made, emphasized the role EAM has to play in this recent article for Getting Ecological magazine.
The power of partnerships lies in creating a value proposition that is greater than the sum of its parts. By dovetailing each other’s strengths, resources, and expertise, Ultimo and its partner community can achieve better outcomes together than they can individually. This synergistic effect amplifies innovation, accelerates growth, and enhances the customer experience.
Read more about our channel program HERE.
