Maximizing Your Technology Budget in 2020: Key Trends to Consider
As technology budgets are set to increase in 2020, IT leaders are focusing on adopting new technologies and enhancing cybersecurity measures. With continuous advancements in technology, it’s essential that your budget aligns with these trends. If you’re contemplating your own IT budget, here are some trends that could guide your investment decisions for the upcoming year.
1. The Internet of Things (IoT) Continues to Thrive
The Internet of Things remains a significant focus, with projections indicating that there will be over 20 billion connected devices by the end of 2020. More than just the sheer number of devices, the effective management of a vast network is crucial. As more industries embrace IoT, optimizing data management and ensuring robust networking capabilities are vital for smooth operations.
Additionally, keep an eye on the trend towards establishing industry standards and best practices. With a lack of clear IoT recommendations, creating an optimized network can be challenging but necessary.
2. Upgrading to 5G and Wi-Fi 6
A major investment for businesses in 2020 will involve upgrading network hardware. The introduction of Wi-Fi 6 represents a long-overdue upgrade, promising faster speeds and improved connectivity. Now that the standards have been approved, this technology is expected to become mainstream this year.
Investing in Wi-Fi 6 and 5G networks will enhance your ability to manage data-heavy tasks, whether it’s uploading videos or running customer-facing applications. Keeping your network up to date is essential for meeting the demands of modern business.
3. The Rise of Augmented Reality (AR)
Augmented Reality continues to gain traction, and 2020 is set to be a landmark year for its adoption across various industries. From enhancing advertising campaigns to enabling customers to try on clothes virtually, AR is transforming customer experiences.
Businesses are also leveraging AR for employee training and development, offering innovative methods for enhancing workforce skills. Be prepared for a surge in AR applications that could provide a competitive edge.
4. AI and Machine Learning Drive Analytics
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning remain crucial trends for 2020, particularly in the realm of analytics. These technologies are becoming increasingly accessible for small to medium-sized businesses, allowing them to leverage vast datasets for deeper insights.
AI can help organizations manage the data generated by IoT and other technologies, powering analytics that provide critical business insights. Investing in AI will enhance your ability to navigate the complexities of big data.
5. Embracing Everything as a Service (XaaS)
The trend of “Everything as a Service” (XaaS) is poised to go mainstream in 2020. This model encompasses a wide range of integrated services, such as AI as a Service, Blockchain as a Service, and Analytics as a Service.
The shift toward XaaS responds to the challenges of integrating hardware, software, and platforms, providing businesses with a comprehensive package to streamline operations and adopt essential technologies.
6. Increased Focus on Cybersecurity and Digital Privacy
With heightened awareness around cybersecurity and digital privacy, 2020 brings renewed urgency in protecting sensitive data. As regulations like the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) continue to shape the landscape, IT leaders must prioritize effective data management and security.
As the number of connected devices grows and network speeds increase, ensuring robust cybersecurity measures is essential. Customers are also becoming more discerning about their data privacy, making it crucial to stay ahead in this area.
Prepare for the Future
By staying informed about these technology trends, you can position your organization for success in 2020. Consider how you can incorporate AI, 5G, and other emerging technologies into your strategy to gain a competitive edge.
If you’re uncertain about how to proceed with adopting these innovations, consulting with experts can help simplify the implementation process. With the right guidance, you can navigate the complexities of technology adoption and ensure a smooth transition into the digital landscape of the future.
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














