2015 is going to be all about security and flexibility. As the cloud gives businesses more tools, it will change the way they do business and access services. Mobile technology and the Internet of Things will also offer new opportunities for marketing and advertising, while also bringing new security demands and challenges. With that in mind, here’s our top 5 list of technology trends to keep an eye on this year.
- Small to medium sized businesses (SMBs) will continue to subscribe to software, rather than purchasing and installing it on company computers. As the cloud grows, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is becoming a better financial bet for more companies. SaaS allows businesses to reduce the amount of money they’re paying for software and lets them access data remotely. That means employees teleworking or traveling can work seamlessly from home computers and mobile devices.
- New approaches to security will also be a big trend this year. Forbes predicts that online security will “move away from perimeter defense to multi-faceted approaches. Expect security aware application design, dynamic and static application testing, and runtime application self-protection.” Cybercriminals are well aware that smaller businesses offer both easier targets, and sometimes an entry into larger businesses. Small businesses will therefore have to show their customers that they have up-to-date security measures in place. As more devices and services collect data on individuals, businesses will also have to have stringent data encryption methods (see #5).
- Mobile devices will do more. Mobile payments and the use of geo-location in mobile advertising are two trends converging mobile and data. Businesses will develop new ways to attract customers using mobile data and apps.
- Talent will come together through the cloud. Cloud-adapted small businesses will increasingly use cloud-based providers to access services like human resources and marketing. At the same time, more businesses could operate with individuals forming teams and working together virtually, using tools like Google Hangouts and Skype to communicate.
- Increased emphasis on analytics. Data generation is coming from a growing numbers of places and things: services, systems, and wearable devices, to name just a few. That’s going to lead to more analytic apps that filter all that data and deliver the relevant information to companies. At the same time, this connects to #2 on the list, security. Consumers don’t love the idea of companies collecting data about their daily lives. Businesses will have to encrypt data effectively, and show the public that they take seriously the idea of safeguarding the information they’re collecting.
image via Creative Commons
