Information technology, or IT, refers to the use of computers and related technology to collect, store, process, transmit and secure data. Because IT touches so many aspects of daily life and business, it’s important to stay abreast of new developments in this field and how they might affect you. Here are 8 information technology trends that can help prepare you for the next year of advances in computers and software.
1) Get your cloud computing strategy right
The cloud is no longer a new technology, but it’s still one of the most popular trends in IT. That’s because the cloud offers businesses a number of advantages, including scalability, flexibility, and cost-savings. But with so many different cloud providers and offerings available, it can be tough to know where to start.
2) Mobile is the new norm
It’s no secret that mobile devices are becoming increasingly popular. In fact, over 60% of Americans now own a smartphone. This trend is only going to continue, and businesses need to be prepared. Mobile devices are changing the way we communicate, consume content, and even make purchases. If your business doesn’t have a mobile-friendly website or app, you’re already behind the curve.
3) Prepare your workforce for digital transformation
It’s no secret that the world is becoming more digital. Every day, we use technology to communicate, work, and play. As our reliance on technology grows, so does the need for a workforce that is prepared to handle digital transformation. There are many ways you can help your employees stay up-to-date with the latest trends in information technology. These include
1) Investing in professional development opportunities like learning new technologies or how to better use current tools;
2) Encouraging cross-departmental collaboration;
3) Staying on top of industry news and trends;
4) Setting up mentoring programs.
4) Connect like never before
The way we connect with each other and the world around us is changing every day. With new technology, we can connect with people and things in ways we never thought possible. These new technologies are paving the way for future advancements that will change the way we interact with our surroundings.
Not only will this trend impact how we communicate, but it also could be a game changer for transportation and healthcare. We’re already seeing innovations like driverless cars that are being tested on public roads today!
5) Optimize for speed
Website speed is essential for a good user experience. In fact, 40% of people abandon a website that takes more than 3 seconds to load. If your website is slow, you’re likely losing out on customers and revenue. Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do to optimize it:
– Optimize the size of images in order to make them load faster
– Reduce the number of plug-ins or scripts running on the site
– Optimize images by compressing them with tools like Photoshop or Gimp
– Make sure all media files have an appropriate compression rate (for example, .jpg vs .png)
6) Don’t ignore privacy concerns
With the Cambridge Analytica scandal and other high-profile data breaches, it’s no surprise that privacy concerns are top of mind for many people. But even if you’re not worried about your personal data being mishandled, you should still be aware of how important privacy is in the digital age.
7) Embrace artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s becoming more and more present in our everyday lives. A report by McKinsey found that artificial intelligence will contribute $13 trillion to the global economy by 2030, which puts its importance into perspective. AI can provide assistance for tasks such as recruiting, inventory management, and decision-making, especially where there are vast amounts of data that need processing. The future of AI looks promising: the number of jobs with significant automation potential will grow rapidly in coming years and will create new job opportunities that are currently inconceivable.
8) Data, data everywhere but not necessarily in usable form
We are living in a data-driven world, with businesses collecting more information than ever before. However, this data is often unstructured and difficult to use. Big data analytics can help make sense of this data and turn it into insights that can be used to improve business decisions.
