Operators in the Operating Systems and Productivity Software Publishing industry develop and publish operating systems and productivity software products that are necessary for computer usability.

Industry software often comes preinstalled on new computers and similar devices, so industry revenue correlates with new device sales.

As technology has become more intertwined with daily life over the five years to 2021, industry demand has grown.

Total revenue expanded as sales to both consumers and businesses increased during the period, driven by higher disposable income levels and extensive private investment in computers and software.

Altogether, industry revenue increased at an annualized rate of 9.5% to $130.2 billion over the five years to 2021.

The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic affected key upstream industries and consumers in 2020 and 2021.

Consumer spending and private investment levels dropped last year, culminating in reduced industry revenue growth of 6.4% and 3.9% in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

The Personal Finance and Money Management Software Developers industry is composed of companies that create personal finance management software.

The industry has continued to grow by innovating the quality and scope of its services and attracting a larger user base.

While the industry experienced a temporary setback in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, this is not expected to darken the industry’s prospects moving forward.

As a result, industry revenue has grown at an annualized rate of 6.5% to $527.6 million over the five years to 2021, including an increase of 5.2% in 2021 alone.

However, as more operators have entered the industry during the same period, competition has increased; as a result, despite climbing revenue, industry profit has marginally declined.

The Point of Sale Software Developers industry, which facilitates sales of goods and services, has experienced strong growth over the five years to 2020.

During the period, total industry revenue is anticipated to increase at an annualized rate of 12.2% to reach $2.8 billion, including 9.8% growth in 2020 alone.

Industry operators have benefited from a growing reliance on computers in downstream markets, including retailers, wholesalers and hospitality and food service businesses, among others.

The emergence and adoption of new technologies and the changing retail landscape have also benefited revenue growth.

Trends such as near-field communications (NFC), self-checkout counters, sensors, data analytics and the integration of point of sale (POS) systems with back-end software systems have provided the industry with a platform for robust growth.

Furthermore, new software applications and hardware devices have enabled small operators to more easily afford POS systems that provide similar functionality to large and expensive terminals.

The Security Software Publishing industry develops and distributes antivirus, anti-keylogger, spyware removal, encryption and firewall software.

The explosion of data, internet-enabled solutions and cloud services have all stimulated the industry’s expansion over the five years to 2020.

In addition, high-profile cyber-attacks targeting retailers, financial institutions, credit agencies and healthcare providers, among others, further stimulated demand for industry software.

Consequently, computer, tablet and smartphone users increasingly view security software as necessary, while companies are also investing in security software to avoid heavy financial losses and damaged reputations.

Altogether, industry revenue has increased at an annualized rate of 7.1% to $20.8 billion over the five years to 2020.

In 2020, however, private investment and consumer confidence levels have collapsed as a result of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

This is anticipated to temporarily reduce industry demand in 2020, with revenue projected to fall 1.4% this year.

Companies operating in the Fraud Detection Software Developers industry develop software to detect fraudulent activity, such as fraudulent mobile payments.

The industry has performed exceptionally well over the five years to 2020, with total revenue rising at an annualized rate of 19.3% to $10.0 billion, including anticipated growth of 15.4% in 2020.

The climbing number of services conducted online in recent years triggered an explosion of data tools and software, including software designed to ensure that sensitive personal information and payment information is safeguarded and protected.

This has largely come as a response to a rise in cybercrime and other fraudulent activities, prompting companies and consumers to demand industry software products as a way to ensure their data is not put at risk.

The Biometrics Scan Software industry comprises companies that develop software for biometric technologies such as fingerprint-, iris-, retina- and face-identification systems.

The industry has recorded prolific expansion over the past five years as its reliance on government agencies, such as the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other defense agencies, has boosted revenue.

Despite growth, the industry has contended with controversy as people have grown wary of facial recognition technology and fear the loss of privacy.

Despite this concern, the industry has grown by offering greater cyber security than other technologies can offer.

The Business Analytics and Enterprise Software Publishing industry has expanded on the back of positive demand conditions over most of the five years to 2021, caused by high private investment in computers and software.

Industry revenue has grown at an annualized rate of 13.5% to $115.2 billion over the five years to 2021, driven by the increasing technological complexity of businesses and an eagerness to adopt efficiency-enhancing software.

Many industry products, such as customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, have become basic tools in the corporate operations and management.

Despite the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, revenue growth soared in 2020 alongside profit, as businesses rapidly shifted operations online.

Operators encountered higher demand from customers seeking to expand their online presence.

Overall, industry revenue is expected to grow 5.4% in 2021 alone, having increased 16.5% in 2020.

Although demand for computers and software has grown strongly over the past five years, operators in the Computer and Packaged Software Wholesaling industry have struggled with price erosion and direct sales by software publishers.

While private investment in computers and software has increased, the price of computers and peripheral equipment has decreased substantially during the same period.

Industry operators have had to pass these lower costs downstream, which has suppressed profitability.

In 2020, however, the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic increased demand for computers from businesses.

As social-distancing policies spread across the country, businesses adapted by having employees work remotely.

As a result, computer sales increased, bolstering demand for industry products.

Consequently, over the five years to 2021, industry revenue is expected to increase at an annualized 2.6% to $301.6 billion, including 0.2% in 2021.

The Database, Storage and Backup Software Publishing industry comprises operators that develop and distribute database management, storage and remote-backup software systems.

Database software serves a key purpose within a company’s information technology infrastructure, enabling operational data analysis to supplement well-informed decisions.

The industry performed well over the five years to 2021, as surging private investment in computers and software stimulated demand.

Consumers have also become more alert to the benefits of industry products.

The industry’s primary product segment has gradually become a necessity for many core markets over the past five years.

Altogether, industry revenue has grown at an annualized rate of 5.8% to $60.1 billion over the five years to 2021, including growth of 10.9% in 2020 despite lower private investment and consumer confidence due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

Revenue is expected to rise 2.6% in 2021.