The last 18 months have been full of unexpected technological advances, as the whole world shifts to meet the demands of a new reality. But are these innovations just a product of the pandemic, or are they here to stay? We share some of the tech trends which look set to become part of our new reality.
Integrated, digital workplaces
We have understood the importance of digital connectivity for decades, but we never predicted it would become the focus point for our everyday lives almost overnight. With over 33% of working Australians* ‘working from home’ during the last few months since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down large parts of the Australian economy, companies continue to seek the best technology solutions to support a remote workforce.
In 2020 collaboration software boomed. Today, we see the trend for communication and interaction between team members and teams to be united within one system, so users don’t need to move between multiple messengers, mailboxes and business tools to perform work. IT giants noticed this trend after the start of the pandemic, and we have seen Microsoft integrating Teams into business apps and Salesforce acquiring Slack.
Cloud services to dominate
The pandemic has certainly stopped any scepticism toward the cloud. Cloud services have become the prerequisite of any IT development, driven by the demand for flexibility and scalability. Small businesses, as well as enterprises, have realised the cost effectiveness of the compared to any on-premise approach to data storage.
Successful cloud migration requires a thorough assessment of your infrastructure and business, and a well-planned approach – but the benefits are significant.
Demand for device connectivity
Remote device connectivity is on the rise. Thanks to the rapidly declining price for IoT sensors, the development of edge computing, and the advent of 5G, sensors are becoming readily accessible for any industry.
For example, monitoring the condition of equipment at a remote site can be conducted easier thanks to the accessibility of IoT. The keyword here is remote. With the right technology infrastructure and set up, there is no need to be close to the object of monitoring to receive full, accurate information about it.
Data security the top priority
The amount of data companies accumulate is growing exponentially – with the security perimeter only broadened by the increase in remote employees working out home. For many businesses both small and large, managing a remote workforce has brought new and unexpected business challenges, highlighting the need to manage security far beyond the physical walls of the offices.
Sensible advice from industry experts is crucial – never more than before do companies need to follow a clear plan for working collaboratively with their outsourcing providers.
For help in evaluating the benefits or impacts of these tech trends in your business, reach out to Alliance SI for specialist support.