Tech advances, global economy shape it trends.

• Author: Ladd, Scott
• Position: TECHNOLOGY

Connectivity advances, changes in global e-billing and invoicing and even ongoing unrest in the euro zone are among the key trends financial executives are facing in (heir use and adoption of new technology, according to a study of corporate tech issues that was recently released by Basware, 3 Stamford, Conn.-based provider of purchase-to-pay solutions.

Some of the predictions in (he annual report of tech trends and related issuers expected to dominate the CFG agenda through the end of 2012 were not surprises--such as reliance on the growth of cloud computing and moves to adopt cloud services, for instance.

But the ongoing political and economic upheaval across Western and Central Europe, and its impact overall on the global economy, could also play a key role in how quickly and extensively new technology is applied by U.S. enterprises, according to the report.

The report pointed to five notable trends likely to affect decision-making this year:

* Global economic changes--Increased interdependence of financial systems on a global scale could be critical, and there isn't a clear understanding of how these systems interlink. Without the processes/strategies in place to respond to these periods of change, retraction or sharp growth, managing spend and gaining cash-flow visibility could he difficult for businesses.

* Harnessing the Cloud--Businesses able to best manage the cloud for computing needs--particularly process-as-a-service--can remain more flexible and agile in responding to fast-changing economic conditions, driving down costs as a result and building new market opportunities.

* Compulsory e-invoicing--More countries are to enact compulsory e-invoicing mandates. In countries where e-invoicing is not required, many businesses will adopt it any-way in order to trade globally with companies that use the...