5 Important Tech Trends to Know That Will Help Boost Your Business
Society is moving at such a rapid pace that it’s not entirely surprising how far we’ve come in terms of improving our lives with the latest advancements in science and technology. Indeed, the world of business and commerce wouldn’t be the same today if not for the incredible strides that countless thinkers and innovators have done to ensure that human civlization continues to move in the right direction. As such, companies all over the world have quickly adopted modern conveniences to ensure their long-term survival.
Whether such companies are massive or intimate in scale, there’s no denying how technology has shaped and influenced the way entrepreneurs are able to facilitate their daily obligations with relative ease. Can you imagine what a typical office workspace would be like without essential communication tools such as telephones for voice calls or computers for emails and video conferencing? When you really think about it, it’s definitely a hard image to picture given how vital such tools have become to the success of any given business who works hard to earn a profit.
Market research analysts have conducted studies and reported that businesses everywhere will spend approximately US $3.5 trillion on IT infrastructure alone in 2017. That staggering number is expected to increase in the next few years considering that everything from hardware to software constantly receives upgrades to improve their usage and performance. Furthermore, the frequent evolution of technology means that businesses cannot afford to stay outdated because it means they’ll lag behind their fiercest competitors and lose money in the process.
When it comes to augmenting your business with technology, you must always remember to go big or go home. Investing in the right tools could mean the difference between the success or failure of your company’s future prospects. Moreover, it’s important for you to always be abreast of the latest tech trends because this gives you valuable insight as to how such innovations could potentially take your brand to the next level with today’s discerning consumer market. That being said, here are some of the top trends in technology that you need to know and which will have a direct impact on the global business landscape.
Trend #01: Artificial intelligence
It used to be that artificial intelligence or AI was strictly in the realm of science fiction, but nowadays, AI has effectively crossed over from fiction and into tangible reality. Now that we live in a world where most—if not all—of our technologies are being programmed to be more responsive to our personal preferences, it’s within the realm of possibility that we are gradually reaching the point where we can implement artificial intelligence across all forms of everyday tech from personal transportation to household appliances. The possibilities of using AI and seamlessly integrating it into daily life are endless.
Various tech companies are working hard behind the scenes to develop AI as we have not yet reached the stage where it can be feasibly applied on a mainstream scale. But at the moment, there are other ways in which AI is implemented in existing technologies. For instance, companies like Microsoft and Google have integrated several types of AI services onto their cloud computing systems. Just imagine how incredible it would be when AI is sophisticated enough to the point where we are able to live highly futuristic and believable scenarios depicted in science fiction films and television shows.
Trend #02: Virtual assistants
With artificial intelligence as the root of technological progress for business and commerce, it makes sense that one of the most useful concepts to utilize AI in a productive manner is the idea of virtual assistants (VA). In fact, this particular advancement in technology already exists in a simplified form. Apple’s iPhone is known for having a voice-activated and responsive assistant called Siri which people can use for checking various types of information. Similar virtual assistants are also present in other consumer products such as Microsoft’s version of Siri called Cortana, as well as in various smartphone brands running on Android operating systems.
Businesses can certainly take great advantage of having in-house virtual assistants in the vein of Siri or Cortana because it will help them diversify their communication workflow. Employees won’t have to stress out about heavy legwork for tasks such as information research or data management and organization because VAs will be able to lighten the workload significantly. Not only that, but the constant development of existing VA programs means that companies could have the opportunity to customize their proprietary virtual assistant and have it programmed to execute tasks that are only exclusive to the needs of the brand.
Trend #03: Intelligent consumer electronics
Gone are the days when phones and computers are the only gadgets in the market where people can engage with smart gadgets. Nowadays, everything from home appliances to hygienic accessories are designed to be intuitive and responsive to users’ needs. Manufacturers of various consumer electronics are hard at work developing hardware and software embedded onto a wide array of everyday tech to make them less antiquated and more sophisticated in their functionality. For instance, there are refrigerator units where it can already alert people that they’re running out of certain food items or whether a particular ingredient is in danger of spoiling.
From a business perspective, entrepreneurs can improve their office spaces by investing in smart devices that are customized to meet the needs of working professionals. Offices equipped with high-tech furnishings and facilities are more likely to keep up with the fast-paced demands of client expectations. Therefore, it would be a smart move on your part to make the necessary office upgrades in order to ensure that your employees would perform at optimal levels. Within the next ten to twenty years, expect to see more intelligent consumer electronics being used not just within residential households, but also in plenty of large and small-scale businesses.
Trend #04: Virtual and augmented reality
Of the game-changing technologies that has changed the global cultural landscape today, the concept of virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) is probably the one that has enthralled society with its wondrous possibilities. In a nutshell, VR and AR technologies allow users to experience extra-sensorial worlds created out of highly advanced digital programming from software and hardware developers. Such immersive virtual environments are primarily used for entertainment purposes given that their main application is to introduce users to a whole new level of leisure exploration. But VR and AR are slowly being integrated into workspaces so their functionality range can be expanded into something more than just entertaining people through three-dimensional games.
Outside of the video game industry, virtual and augmented reality platforms are being utilized in various tech companies to explore their possibilities. For instance, the viral popularity of Pokemon GO after its release prompted many smartphone manufacturers to improve their products in order to better serve mobile games that heavily incorporate augmented reality as a primary feature. Elsewhere, virtual reality headsets are being used as helpful training tools for industries that require delicate or dangerous tasks. Businesses are able to customize virtual training simulation environments that could significantly improve worker performance without endangering their physical safety.
Trend #05: Adaptive security systems
The biggest danger that companies face today is the breach of digital security. More and more businesses are spending lots of money to ensure that all of their confidential information is always protected under an airtight encryption system. Business owners are now aware of the fact that companies are highly vulnerable to security attacks. In this day and age, malicious hackers are able to crack through security firewalls and steal valuable data stored in physical or digital databases. As such, software programmers and developers are constantly finding ways to improve and evolve their security systems so that companies will always be several steps ahead of cybercrime activities.
The rise of artificial intelligence means that software companies are able to craft security programs that can quickly adapt to a broad range of virtual attacks. The idea of implementing an artificially intelligent security infrastructure is something that could totally revolutionize the way businesses approach data protection. Information technology professionals could use such adaptive security protocols to streamline their internal networks and prevent any unwanted intrusions from unauthorized and anonymous entities. Pretty soon, companies everywhere can breathe so much easier knowing that the heavy lifting of digital security protection will be fully automated and will not require human intervention.
