Trends in Technology: What to Expect in 2020
December 23rd, 2019 by admin
Technology budgets are set to increase again in 2020. Many IT leaders are emphasizing the adoption of new technology or increasing cybersecurity. As technology continues to improve and expand, budgets must follow suit.
If you’re thinking about your own IT budget, you might wonder how you’ll spend the funds you earmark for technology. If you’re planning to increase the budget, you might be wondering what you need to invest in for 2020.
These trends in technology should give you a good idea of the areas other IT leaders are betting on. You might want to consider a few of them to get a competitive edge.
The Internet of Things Remains a Hot Topic
There’s been plenty of talk about the Internet of Things, or IoT, in recent years. The number of devices connected to the Internet continues to grow. Some projections suggest there will be more than 20 billion devices before the end of next year.
More important than the number of devices is the management of a network at this scale. As more industries adopt IoT, they need to look to the smart management of data. They'll also need the right networking capabilities to keep everything running smoothly.
You’ll also want to look out for a trend toward industry standards and best practices. IoT recommendations are scarce, which makes it difficult to create an optimized network.
5G and Wi-Fi 6 Become Reality
One big investment for businesses in 2020 will be upgrading their network hardware.
It’s been a while since a Wi-Fi upgrade has been introduced, but it’s high time for one. Business moves faster than ever before, so you know you need a network that can keep up.
Wi-Fi 6-enabled hardware has slowly been reaching the market. Approval of the standard didn’t happen until August 2019, which slowed adoption. With the standards now in place, 2020 will be the year that it'll hit the mainstream.
These upgraded Wi-Fi networks promise faster speeds and simpler connectivity. Whether you’re uploading videos or running apps for all your customers, 5G will help you deliver.
Augmented Reality Is Still One of the Top Trends in Technology
Augmented Reality, or AR, has been on the rise for the last few years, but it shows no sign of slowing down in 2020. If anything, AR is finally getting people to sit up and take notice.
AR has been adopted by businesses in a few different ways. Most people can think of a few AR-enhanced ad campaigns. Experts predict even more creative use of the technology in the future.
AR already lets customers try on clothes and order out-of-stock items from empty shelves.
Leading platforms have started adopting AR for use in everyday browsing. This will lead to more widespread uses for AR. Retailers, for example, will want to pay attention to 3D search results for products.
AR also shows promise in the area of employee training and development. In short, you can expect to see a lot more AR in many different applications.
AI and Machine Learning Give Analytics a Push
If you’re looking for new IT trends, you’re probably not thinking about “big data.” Even AI and machine learning have been on the radar for the last few years.
Nonetheless, AI and machine learning both remain rising digital technology trends for 2020. As these technologies improve, they’re becoming more accessible for smaller businesses.
They also dovetail with another continuing trend. In the last few years, analytics have become the must-have if you want a competitive edge.
While the term "big data" is passe, the idea is still relevant. Companies need to power their analytics with large datasets.
That’s where AI and machine learning come in. AI is powered by enormous datasets, which allow the machine to learn. In turn, those same machines can help you crunch the numbers and give insight into your business.
In short, AI is helping companies deal with the data lakes created by IoT and other technologies. If you do nothing else with AI technology, be sure you harness it to power your analytics.
The Rise of Everything as a Service
You’ve probably heard of “software as a service” or even “infrastructure as a service.” In 2019, there was a move toward “everything as a service,” or XaaS.
XaaS will go mainstream in 2020, as more of the big players promise to offer “everything” in their portfolio as integrated services. The XaaS package will differ between providers. It'll include new digital technologies like:
- AI as a service
- Blockchain as a service
- Analytics as a service
The emergence of XaaS is little surprise. SaaS and other models have been challenged by a lack of integration between hardware, software, and platforms. XaaS promises to solve that problem for business leaders, while adding necessary technologies.
Cybersecurity and Digital Privacy Are More Important
The last few years have seen an increased awareness of cybersecurity. Laws like the EU’s General Data Protection Rule have also pushed the conversation about digital privacy.
In 2020, these concerns are more relevant than ever. With more data, business leaders and IT managers must find ways to manage it effectively, as well as keep it safe.
The growth of IoT and increased Wi-Fi speeds highlight the need for improved security. Smart devices can be hacked. Faster networks mean cybercrime can happen lightning fast.
Your customers may also demand increased security and better protection of their privacy.
Be Ready for the Digital New Year
By knowing about these trends in technology, you can get ahead of the curve. Make plans for adopting AI or 5G networking now, and you’ll be in a good position when 2020 rolls around.
Managing the business of the future takes a lot of technical know-how. If you’re feeling a bit lost about how to adopt some of these technologies, talk to the experts. A helping hand can go a long way and make IT implementation much smoother.
Posted in: Insights