Considering we are in lockdown we are surprised at how quickly this month has gone – let’s face it, the months seem to be speeding by as do the years. As the year’s progress as do technology trends  – 2020 taught us that businesses must be able to adapt quickly to circumstances that are thrown at us, so, it is vital that you stay on top of the tech changes happening.

2021 technology trends you need to be aware of;

Video calling & conferencing.

It’s no surprise that video calling and conferencing is still a technology trend for 2021, with more and more members of staff working from home and with the current COVID restrictions in place we can only see that video calling is here to stay!

Video technology has bought virtual teams closer together and has allowed businesses to host important and necessary sales meetings no matter where either party is located. Going forward – post-pandemic – we could find that businesses continue to adopt (at least part) of this new normal, by reducing unnecessary travel to sales meetings – if these meetings are done online, via video, not only can you easily fit them in but you have scope to host a lot more on the same day.

This year could see you spending more money on your video calling capabilities and increasing your staff productivity – we are looking at video calling as a positive technology trend that can only benefit businesses going forward.

Cybercrime

While your business could be looking for new technology solutions to help with productivity and improve your processes it is essential that these go hand in hand with your cybersecurity.

You can take these steps to protect yourself from cyberattacks:

  • Regularly update your software
  • The majority of updates are designed to fix newly found security issues. If you aren’t regularly installing your updates you are not identifying and fixing security issues
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Use strong passwords
  • Hire an IT security expert

Cloud-based technology

Cloud solutions are an incredible option especially as more businesses are working remotely due to the impact of COVID-19. According to CloudTech, public cloud spending is expected to grow from US$229 billion in 2019 to US$500 billion in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.3%.

As this market continues to grow and evolve it is important to be aware of the following cloud-based technology trends in 2021.

Serverless computing.
Server-less computing was among the top five fastest-growing PaaS cloud services for 2020 and is a technology that implements functions in the cloud on a necessary basis. Enterprises rely on server-less computing because it provides space to work on core products without the pressure to operate or manage servers.

The hybrid cloud.
Hybrid cloud technology benefits include speed, control, and security. With regards to speed, it optimises the network to reduce the latency and speeds up the data so that it can reach where it needs to be. For control, companies can customise the end of their hybrid cloud model, optimise it, and adjust it according to their needs rather than trusting a third-party cloud provider.

Virtual Cloud Desktops.
Virtual cloud desktop is the software requirements of a device being fully managed by cloud service providers. Users just need to have a screen and some basic hardware while the rest of the processing power will be seamlessly handled by cloud-based services. Virtual cloud desktop users only pay for cloud usage, which reduces the costs associated with acquiring new hardware, updating existing hardware, and the disposal of redundant computing equipment.

Automation

Lots of businesses are already benefiting from automation technology and the benefits it brings – as more and more businesses are evaluating their processes they are seeing the value of automation which can include avoiding waste and saving money, as well as, increasing and improving productivity.

Warehouses and supply chains have widely embraced automation processes which include machines and robots that aid workers with processes related to inventory from when it arrives at the warehouse until it leaves. Warehouse automation solutions can help warehouses increase productivity and accuracy, reduce labour costs and improve safety.

Also, businesses are increasingly making use of chat-bots to take over customer service enquiries – another technology trend that is a huge benefit to the user.

Buzz words to watch out for in 2021;

‘The internet of behaviours’ (IoB) introduced by Gartner this year.
IoB programs rely on data collection and IoT (internet of things) to make intelligent decisions that impact customer behaviour. A good example of IoB would be an auto insurance company determining rates according to how a customer drives. The goal is to adjust the customer experience at the individual level, offering a level of service that benefits both the customer and the enterprise.

Finally, Gartner’s 2021 predictions involve IT’s role becoming more prominent within businesses as digital business initiatives accelerate.

If you need to discuss any IT solutions with us please get in touch