As we enter into the new year, many Indiana businesses are planning their budgeting for technology needs. Hardware, software, and cybersecurity are all typical areas under consideration.
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But one thing about technology, it’s always changing and evolving. That’s why it’s important to know what trends may be coming, so you can get out ahead of them instead of playing catch up.
The trends in 2021 are a mix of pandemic related focuses as well as the traditional advances that we see regularly as tech gets smarter.
From changes in how companies are using managed IT services for remote teams to new business workflows and protection against rising threats, 2021 is all about adjusting to new world events and staying productive.
Here are some of the technology trends you should prepare for in the coming year.
Remote Home Office Technology & Support
The 2020 pandemic caused many Tipton, IN companies, as well as those throughout the country, to send employees home to work. They then had to make it possible for remote teams to access business applications, data and communication methods (like business phone lines).
Even once the pandemic is over, companies don’t look to be going back to the way things were. Remote workers will become a new normal and will make up a higher percentage of the overall workforce.
77% of surveyed businesses state that post-pandemic, they’ll have more employees working 3+ days per week from home.
2021 will bring a fine-tuning of the remote work environment, which includes businesses expanding managed IT support to include computers used in employee homes. Security and functionality will both be drivers of tech purchases this year, as companies work to put a more permanent and secure remote work framework in place.
Customer Data Platforms (CDPs)
Most businesses have now migrated to cloud-based workflows, but many are running into problems with cloud efficiency. They find that apps don’t always share information, leading to time-consuming re-entering of data.
One area where not having all data available can cause problems is in customer support. If a customer calls in and the support agent can’t see that they already resolved an outstanding issue, confusion can happen.
A newer trend that is gaining steam in organizations is the Customer Data Platform (CDP). This differs from a CRM, which is designed to be used for customer support.
A CDP is meant to hold all customer data from several systems in a single database, which all other applications that need to can access. This allows all data to be accessible in any connected apps – accounting tool, CRM, marketing, etc. – which improves efficiency and reduces rework.
5G Finally Starting to Make a Difference
We’ve been hearing about 5G technology for a while now, but it hasn’t really delivered yet in a meaningful way. It’s supposed to be approximately 20 times faster than 4G and enable instant connections without lags.
Mobile providers and device manufacturers spent last year rolling out the support structure needed for 5G. So, this year we should begin to see this technology making a difference in our daily lives.
You’ll begin to see internet service providers offering 5G connections (not just for mobile) and more devices will be 5G enabled, including laptop computers.
It’s a good idea to keep 5G capabilities in mind whenever buying any new mobile tech, IoT devices, or computers.
More Advanced Identity & Access Awareness
2020 wasn’t only a big year for the pandemic, it was a big year for cybercrime. Attackers took advantage of the disruption and everything from ransomware attacks to data breaches increased.
The FBI reported an increase in cyberattacks during the pandemic of 400%.
Because so many businesses have moved data to the cloud to allow anywhere access to workflows, breaking into those cloud accounts by compromising a user password has become a major attack vector for hackers.
Companies will be expanding identity and access management capabilities in 2021, with both small businesses and enterprise companies planning to increase budgets in this area this year.
This means investing in technology like single sign-on (SSO) solutions that can improve employee access experience, while also putting important safeguards like multi-factor authentication in place.
Advanced solutions like location-based authentication will be sought after. This is where you can ask specific challenge questions or revoke access if someone attempts to log in from an IP address outside a certain geographic region.
Is Your Business Ready to Be Competitive in 2021?
Planning for the right technology improvements for your business can be easier with the right partner. Magnify247.com can help you find the best solutions that will keep you secure, competitive, and productive in the new year.
