Estimates show a $800 billion revenue opportunity with AR/VR, metaverse by 2024, but partners are not readying themselves for the opportunity. This is according to a new global report issued by TD Synnex which says that only 14% of partners plan to offer AR/VR, metaverse solutions within the next 24 months. TD Synnex also published findings about the metaverse and partners late last year, though not international in scope.

TD Synnex’s Sergio Farache

Sergio Farache is chief strategy officer at TD Synnex.

“The community of partners that we serve constantly evolves and they are basically reacting to the reality of the user demand,” Farache said. “If the user demand grows, [partners] will adapt to that. But [the metaverse research] was one of the insights where it was contrary or in opposition to what the market is saying of the opportunity.”

However, the metaverse is more than just selling hardware, which may be complex for some partners.

“The fact is you need to operate as a developer and architect of solutions,” Farache said.

Yet, he added that partners can excel in this market by focusing on specific use cases, either by industry verticals or horizontal in theme. Take the health care vertical for example. Remote diagnosis and assistance and rural services are ripe for metaverse implementation.

“Specific vertical or horizontal use cases that have a real tactical implementation are where we will see the partner gaining traction,” Farache said.

Cloud, ESG and Other Research

The report also focused on three fundamental factors for technology ecosystem businesses:

TD Synnex surveyed 298 mid-size technology ecosystem partners, using the Canalys Candefero platform. A mid-size technology ecosystem partner is defined as 1,000 seats and below. The pool of survey respondents is comprised of Canalys Candefero community members, TD Synnex CommunitySolv members and SMB IT businesses.

There were other main concepts to the report:

“One way to enter in ESG is doing carbon footprint reduction and that can basically be reducing energy consumption. It can either be using more solar technology or implementing energy control efficiency,” Farache said. “It is something that is positive from the corporate and the industry perspective. And if you combine the implementation with potential business opportunities, you’ll get better results.”