Religion-driven IT to be $40 billion opportunity by 2017: Gartner

BANGALORE: Religion-driven information technology will generate more than $40 billion (about Rs 2,19,000 crore) in software and service opportunities by 2017, according to technology research firm Gartner.

"Religion has a great influence on high-growth regions such as Latin America, Africa, the Arab world and South Asia, thus compelling new entrants and incumbent IT providers to seek new opportunities with religious entities," said Asheesh Raina, principal research analyst at Gartner.

"Direct IT spending by religious groups is small compared with the influence of religion on the IT spending of other industries and enterprises."

He said that there is an increase in the number of people visiting religious places, such as temples and shrines during hajj and other pilgrimages. Also, t he high religiosity index in emerging markets, IT becoming mainstream, and increased spend on religion due to economic development will all lead to a gradual shift toward religion-driven IT.

"A lack of standardization and non-availability of skilled resources in this space will require IT to play a critical role, albeit while treading carefully," said Raina.