FRAMINGHAM, MA  -- Big piles of cash and high expectations for a market upturn will inform many business decisions in the coming year, IDC Manufacturing Insights analysts said in a webinar today.

During the webinar, the research firm also offered its take on the leading business developments for the coming year.

"Manufacturing companies are sitting on a record stockpile of cash and, provided near-term uncertainties are resolved, are looking at robust global markets beyond 2013," said Robert Parker, group vice president. "Also, we are seeing a generational change at the executive levels across all segments. This new generation of manufacturing leadership will eschew stock buybacks and dividend increases in favor of longer term growth initiatives, many of which will have advanced technology at the core."

The firms Top 10 predictions for 2013 are:

• Business Productivity - The Next Wave Begins.
• 4 Pillars Support the House of Productivity.
• Resiliency Becomes a Priority for Manufacturers Looking to Master "Massive Multidimensionality."
• Manufacturing IT Organizations will have to Support a More Productive Operational Ecosystem.
• Companies Recalibrate the Product Lifecycle Process.
• IT Delivers a "Digital Thread" for the Product Management Process.
• Service Excellence Becomes a Strategic Priority.
• Technology Advancements Accelerate Service Excellence Initiatives.
• People will be at the Center of the Factory of the Future.
• Advanced Technologies will Emerge in Support of Operational Excellence Strategies.

An audio replay of the webinar will be available within 48 hr. To access the replay, visit http://bit.ly/MI_Predictions2013_Manufacturing.