Generative AI is fundamentally shifting how software is developed and maintained. What began as discrete copilots for code suggestions has evolved into a more mature and integrated layer of AI-powered software engineering. Generative AI is now embedded across the entire development value chain – from requirement gathering and prototyping to code generation, testing, documentation, and deployment – reshaping development workflows and enabling asynchronous, agent-assisted collaboration. As enterprises move from experimentation to execution, generative AI solutions are expanding from point tools to full-stack development platforms, offering intelligent support for decision-making, team collaboration, and engineering governance. Increased investments in contextual intelligence, orchestration, explainability, and secure AI integration are driving this shift. In this report, Everest Group assesses 21 leading generative AI solution providers across four segments: Luminaries, Fast Followers, Influencers, and Seekers, based on their market performance and ecosystem positioning. The report provides insights into how these providers are enabling practical value, improving software delivery speed, and redefining developer experiences in the age of generative AI. Scope Geography: global Industries: all industries adopting software development practices Focus: generative AI solutions in software development, covering providers of copilots, intelligent agents, development platforms, and contextual coding tools Contents In this report, we: Position 21 technology providers offering gen AI products for software development on Everest Group’s Innovation Watch Assessment framework Assess the providers’ gen AI capabilities for software development Examine key business challenges and gen AI’s role in overcoming them

Software product management is evolving rapidly as organizations push for faster innovation, sharper customer focus, and measurable business outcomes. Product managers are no longer just roadmap custodians; they now orchestrate complex workflows, integrate fragmented toolchains, and lead in navigating rising delivery expectations. Their role now demands doing more with less, across an increasingly interconnected and high-pressure environment. Systems of Execution (SoE) represent a new operating paradigm that combines AI, automation, and orchestration to streamline execution across the product lifecycle. By linking insights to decisions and decisions to actions, SoE empower product teams to act with real-time intelligence and remain closely aligned with strategic goals. In this Viewpoint, we examine product managers’ evolving responsibilities, the systemic challenges constraining modern product organizations, SoE’s transformative potential, and how leading enterprises are adopting SoE to improve delivery speed, cross-functional alignment, and business impact. Scope Industry: all Geography: global Contents In this viewpoint, we examine: The product management industry’s evolution and its key challenges SoE as a paradigm that unifies AI, automation, and orchestration for smarter execution How product organizations can implement SoE to streamline workflows, enhance speed, and stay aligned with business goals

As enterprises strive for greater adaptability, autonomous execution, and continuous optimization, they are reimagining application development. Traditional approaches – focused on static requirements, linear workflows, and manual oversight – can no longer keep pace with real-time business demands. Development teams must now build systems that not only deliver features but also respond intelligently to change, act independently, and learn from every outcome. Systems of Execution (SoE) offer a new blueprint for application design – one that integrates AI, automation, event-driven architecture, and adaptive workflows to create intelligent, self-optimizing applications. By enabling real-time sensing, autonomous decision-making, and dynamic orchestration, SoE-ready applications fundamentally redefine enterprise responsiveness and resilience. This Viewpoint examines application development’s evolution in the context of SoE. It explores the architectural principles behind SoE-ready systems, the foundational investments enterprises must make, and real-world case studies demonstrating how leading organizations are unlocking value through agentic, context-aware applications. Scope Industry: agnostic Geography: global Contents In this viewpoint, we examine: SoE-ready application development The required technology investments A pragmatic roadmap for enterprise leaders to execute an SoE strategy How SoE enable future-proof, resilient, and intelligent enterprises

In 2024, Amazon made its AI assistant, Amazon Q, generally available to all businesses using Amazon Web Services (AWS). This launch followed a series of major product announcements, including updates to Amazon Q Developer at AWS re:Invent 2024. These advances strengthen AWS’s position in the AI code assistant space and are poised to significantly reshape how companies build and manage applications. This report examines the core features, strengths, and limitations of Amazon Q for enterprise AWS users. We assess how effectively the assistant aligns with enterprise development goals and operational needs, highlighting standout capabilities and opportunities for improvement. Our analysis offers insights into Amazon Q’s potential to shape the future of AI-powered development tools and drive the next wave of modern application development. Scope All industries and geographies The report is based on our assessment of the information that AWS released about Amazon Q Developer Contents In this report, we: Outline key objectives and requirements for enterprises developing modern applications Examine the themes that drive and limit demand in the market Detail Amazon Q Developer’s current positioning and its product offerings for modern application development Analyze Amazon Q’s strengths and areas for improvement

As small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly those with annual revenues below US$5 billion, accelerate their digital transformation journeys, custom application development is becoming increasingly essential in helping them remain agile, competitive, and responsive to evolving market demands. Unlike off-the-shelf or low-code solutions, custom application development enables mid-market enterprises to build scalable, secure, and tailored applications that address specific operational needs, industry challenges, and growth objectives. With leaner IT teams and tighter budgets than large enterprises, mid-market firms must ensure that every technology investment delivers tangible business value. Custom-built solutions help modernize legacy systems, streamline processes, and enhance customer and employee experiences—while offering control over feature prioritization, integration, and long-term scalability. As AI-powered tools and cloud-native platforms become more accessible, custom development is also becoming more efficient and accessible, empowering mid-sized firms to unlock intelligent automation, data-driven decision-making, and innovation at scale. In this report, Everest Group assesses 16 leading mid-market providers’ capabilities and market impact in the custom application development space, as part of its Custom Application Development Services PEAK Matrix® Assessment – Focused on Mid-market. The evaluation is based on a holistic review of each provider’s vision, delivery capabilities, proprietary assets, market success, and client feedback. This research aims to help mid-market enterprises identify the right-fit partners for their custom application initiatives, and equip providers with actionable insights to benchmark and refine their strategies in an increasingly competitive and dynamic market. Scope All industries and geographies Buyer size: small and medium-sized enterprises Service: custom application development services Contents This report features detailed assessments, including strengths and limitations, of 16 providers focusing on delivering custom application development services to small and medium-sized organizations.

As enterprises accelerate digital transformation, custom application development remains essential for them to address unique business needs, modernize legacy systems, and build differentiated digital experiences. Unlike off-the-shelf or low-code solutions, custom development empowers businesses to create scalable, flexible, and secure applications tailored to their specific requirements. The growing demand for personalized digital solutions, coupled with the emergence of AI-driven capabilities, is reshaping how enterprises approach application development – making it faster, smarter, and more aligned with business goals. In response, providers are enhancing their custom application development portfolios by building proprietary frameworks and accelerators, investing in AI-enablement, expanding global delivery capabilities, and nurturing deep domain expertise. Strategic partnerships and a strong focus on specialized talent are also key to delivering high-impact, enterprise-grade applications that drive real business outcomes. In this report, we assess 31 leading application development providers featured in the Custom Application Development Services PEAK Matrix® Assessment. Our comprehensive evaluation will help enterprises identify the right-fit partner for their development initiatives, while offering providers actionable insights to benchmark and improve their capabilities in a dynamic and competitive market. Scope All industries and geographies Service: custom application development services Contents This report features detailed assessments, including strengths and limitations, of 31 providers focusing on delivering custom application development services.

Businesses are turning to low-code application development to streamline software development processes and improve their ability to respond to market changes. Low-code application development platforms have evolved to offer advanced capabilities, such as generative AI integration, advanced automation, and improved collaboration tools. Pure play low-code platforms, such as Appian, Microsoft PowerApps, and OutSystems, are emerging as vital elements in enterprise technology stacks. These platforms excel in building enterprise-grade applications. As the demand for these platforms grows, there is a parallel surge in the need for low-code application development services. In this report, we provide comprehensive and fact-based snapshots of 20 low-code service providers for Appian, 19 providers for Microsoft PowerApps, and 18 for OutSystems. Each profile offers an overview of the provider’s products, client portfolio across geographies, industries, buyer sizes, key investments, and case studies. This compendium will enable providers to benchmark themselves against their competitors and empower low-code platform buyers to assess providers’ capabilities. Scope All industries and geographies Market segment: application services Sources leveraged: analyst inputs, Everest Group research (spanning recruiters, industry experts, and industry associations), ongoing interactions with enterprises and providers, and publicly available secondary data sources Contents In this report, we feature 20 low-code service providers for Appian, 19 providers for Microsoft PowerApps, and 18 for OutSystems and include: An overview of each provider and their revenue range Adoption by buyer group, industry, and geography Key investments Case studies Proprietary solutions Membership(s) Application Services Sourcing and Vendor Management

Integrating IT systems with Operational Technology (OT) systems is commonly referred to as IT/OT convergence. IT systems manage processes, software, infrastructure, and security protocols that organizations use to acquire, store, analyze, and share data. OT systems manage and control operations within physical assets, such as industrial machinery and consumer products. Traditionally, these systems share minimal data and occupy separate domains based on oversight by distinct professionals. In recent years, various technology advances have facilitated these systems' interaction and convergence. This report emphasizes the importance of integrating IT systems, OT systems, and business processes to enable more responsive and efficient operations. It also discusses how an organization can map out its journey to achieve effective integration and select the right partner to ensure comprehensive support throughout the transformation journey. Scope All industries and geographies Contents In this report, we: Examine the need for IT/OT convergence Identify opportunities and challenges in achieving effective integration Assess the IT/OT convergence impact on business processes Analyze the enterprise journey to effective integration Membership(s) Application Services Sourcing and Vendor Management

As enterprises accelerate digital transformation, low-code platforms’ adoption has surged, offering a faster, more agile approach to application development. Low-code application development platforms such as Appian, OutSystems, and Power Apps are leading this shift, enabling businesses to rapidly develop, deploy, and scale applications with minimal coding effort. This trend has become even more pronounced as organizations strive to enhance operational efficiency, respond quickly to market changes, and drive innovation amid growing competitive pressures. To meet this rising demand, providers are expanding their capabilities, forming strategic alliances with low-code platform providers, and developing proprietary IPs to offer differentiated services. Additionally, investments in delivery centers and specialized talent are ensuring that these providers can deliver tailored, high-impact solutions that align with enterprises’ unique needs. In this report, we assess the performance of 19 leading low-code service providers focused on Microsoft Power Apps featured across the low-code application development services PEAK Matrix® assessment. Our comprehensive evaluation will assist enterprises in selecting the best-fit partner for their low-code application development needs while offering providers insights to benchmark and enhance their offerings in this dynamic landscape. Scope All industries and geographies Service: low-code application development services Contents This report features detailed assessments, including strengths and limitations, of 19 providers focusing on delivering low-code application development services in Microsoft Power Apps. Membership(s) Application Services Sourcing and Vendor Management

As enterprises accelerate digital transformation, low-code platform adoption has surged, which offers a faster, more agile approach to application development. Low-code application development platforms such as Appian, OutSystems, and Power Apps are leading this shift, enabling businesses to rapidly develop, deploy, and scale applications with minimal coding effort. This trend has become even more pronounced as organizations strive to enhance operational efficiency, respond quickly to market changes, and drive innovation amid growing competitive pressures. Providers are expanding their capabilities to meet this rising demand, forming strategic alliances with low-code platform providers, and developing proprietary IPs to offer differentiated services. Additionally, investments in delivery centers and specialized talent are ensuring that these providers can deliver tailored, high-impact solutions that align with enterprises' unique needs. In this report, we assess the performance of 18 leading low-code service providers focused on OutSystems [AD1] featured across the low-code application development services PEAK Matrix® assessment. Our comprehensive evaluation will assist enterprises in selecting the best-fit partner for their low-code application development needs, while offering providers with insights to benchmark and enhance their offerings in this dynamic landscape. Scope All industries and geographies Service: low-code application development services Contents This report features detailed assessments, including strengths and limitations, of 18 providers focusing on delivering low-code application development services in OutSystems. Membership(s) Application Services Modern Application Development (MAD) Sourcing and Vendor Management