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We are all hoping 2023 will see a return to full business productivity. To help you achieve that we’ve scanned the latest IT trends to show you how your software and hardware could make all the difference.
What are the IT trends for 2023?
2023 is going to be an interesting time in IT because we are still very much catching up to a rapid switch to flexible working routines. This means you’ll see a lot more of
Digital transformation
Remote and flexible working
Customer experience and personalization
Data analytics and business intelligence
Cloud adoption and migration
Cybersecurity and data privacy
Artificial intelligence and automation
Sustainability and green IT
Collaboration and communication tools
Internet of things (IoT) and edge computing
1. Digital transformation
What we call “digital transformation” is the integration of digital technology into all areas of a business, resulting in fundamental changes to how the business operates and delivers value to customers.
It involves the use of technology to automate processes, improve customer experiences, and drive innovation, to increase efficiency, agility, and competitiveness. It encompasses a range of technological advancements such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, cloud computing, and data analytics.
Companies like Microsoft are really taking a lead on this for businesses, by providing new tools such as Viva Sales and improvements to tools we already use, like Teams.
2. Remote and flexible working
Technology plays a crucial role in enabling remote and flexible working. It provides the necessary tools and infrastructure for employees to work from anywhere, at any time.
Some of the key technologies that will continue to grow in 2023 to support remote and flexible working include
Cloud-based collaboration and communication tools such as video conferencing, virtual meeting software, and instant messaging
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to secure remote access to corporate networks
Project management and task-tracking software for remote team coordination
Cloud-based file sharing and storage solutions to access work documents from anywhere
Mobile devices and applications for on-the-go productivity
We recommend looking at Microsoft 365, because its full suite really extends the power of your productivity, allowing your teams to continue to produce high-quality work even if they are based in different settings.
3. Customer experience and personalisation
Technology plays a significant role in enhancing customer experience and personalisation. It allows businesses to gather and analyse data about their customers, including their preferences, behaviour, and feedback.
Some of the key technologies that will support customer experience and personalization in 2023 are
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to manage and analyse customer interactions and data
Data analytics and business intelligence tools to gain insights into customer behaviour and preferences
Artificial intelligence and machine learning to personalise customer interactions and recommendations
Omnichannel customer service and engagement platforms to provide seamless and consistent experiences across channels
Cloud-based marketing automation platforms to personalise marketing campaigns and messages
By leveraging these technologies, businesses can provide highly personalised experiences to their customers, improving customer satisfaction, loyalty, and advocacy.
We believe Microsoft’s Viva Sales really does this well when integrated with the full 365 suite.
4. Data analytics and business intelligence
These tools are continuously evolving with advancements in technology. Some of the key changes for 2023 include
Increased use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate data analysis and provide more accurate and actionable insights
Adoption of big data technologies and cloud computing to handle vast amounts of data and perform faster analysis
Growth of real-time analytics, allowing businesses to make decisions based on current data, rather than historical data
Wider use of predictive analytics and prescriptive analytics to anticipate future trends and provide actionable recommendations
Development of self-service analytics tools, empowering more business users to access and analyse data without the need for IT support
Integration of analytics with the Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing, allows businesses to make decisions based on real-time data from connected devices
Expansion of data visualisation and dashboarding capabilities to provide more intuitive and interactive ways to access and analyse data
These advancements in data analytics and business intelligence are helping businesses make better decisions, improve efficiency, and drive innovation.
5. Cloud adoption and migration
Cloud adoption and migration have been rapidly evolving in recent years and are expected to continue changing in the future. Some of the key changes for 2023 include
Increased adoption of multi-cloud and hybrid cloud strategies, allowing businesses to leverage the best features of different cloud platforms
Greater focus on cloud security and privacy, as more sensitive data is moved to the cloud
The emergence of cloud-native technologies and practices enables businesses to build and run applications specifically for the cloud
Expansion of cloud-based artificial intelligence and machine learning services, allowing businesses to easily adopt and scale these technologies
Development of cloud migration tools and services, simplifying the process of moving workloads to the cloud
The emergence of edge computing and the Internet of Things (IoT), led to a shift in data processing from the cloud to the edge
Greater use of cloud-based disaster recovery and business continuity solutions, improving the resilience of business operations
These changes in cloud adoption and migration are helping businesses to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve their ability to compete in a digital world.
6. Cybersecurity and data privacy
Cybersecurity and data privacy are rapidly evolving due to the increasing threats posed by cyber criminals and the growing volume of sensitive data being stored and processed by organisations.
Some of the key changes for 2023 include
Adoption of stronger encryption and authentication technologies to protect sensitive data
Increased use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate threat detection and response
Expansion of cloud security solutions, including secure cloud storage and network security
Implementation of data privacy regulations, such as the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Greater focus on supply chain security, including security for third-party vendors and partners
The emergence of zero-trust security models assume all network traffic is untrusted and requires verification
Adoption of a security incident and event management (SIEM) systems to centralise security data and improve response times
These changes in cybersecurity and data privacy are helping organisations to better protect their sensitive data and minimise the risk of cyber attacks.
We believe Microsoft’s 365 Defender is a good starting point. Depending on your organisation you may wish to include Microsoft’s Sentinel and Microsoft’s Defender for cloud.
7. Artificial intelligence and automation
The advancements of AI and automation are transforming businesses by improving efficiency, enhancing customer experiences, and enabling new and innovative products and services.
Some of the key ways AI and automation are helping businesses in 2023 include
Streamlining operations through the automation of repetitive and time-consuming tasks, freeing up employees to focus on higher-value work
Improving customer experiences through the use of personalised recommendations, chatbots, and voice-based interfaces
Driving innovation by enabling the creation of new products and services based on advanced machine learning algorithms and big data analysis
Enhancing decision-making through the use of predictive analytics, allowing organisations to anticipate future trends and make data-driven decisions
Improving supply chain and logistics through the use of AI-powered systems to optimise delivery routes and predict demand
Improving the efficiency of customer service by providing quick and accurate answers through chatbots and virtual assistants
Enhancing cybersecurity through the use of AI to detect and respond to threats in real-time
AI and Automation are becoming essential to business success and are helping organisations to remain competitive in a rapidly changing marketplace.
8. Sustainability and green IT
Sustainability and green IT are becoming increasingly important considerations for businesses in 2023. Companies are recognizing the need to reduce their environmental impact, improve their energy efficiency, and minimise waste.
Some of the key sustainability and green IT considerations for businesses in 2023 include
Adoption of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve IT energy efficiency
Implementation of data centre efficiency practices, including server virtualization and cloud computing, to minimise energy consumption and reduce waste
Increased use of telecommuting and remote work, reducing the need for commuting and minimising energy use
Implementation of waste reduction and recycling programs, including the recycling of electronics and other technology components
Adoption of energy-efficient technologies, such as energy star-rated devices
Implementation of sustainable procurement practices, including the purchase of environmentally-friendly tech products and services
Development of green supply chain management practices, including the use of cloud software
While the aim of these considerations is overall sustainability, incorporating these practices can also help businesses to save money, improve their reputation, and attract and retain customers and employees who prioritise sustainability.
9. Collaboration and communication tools
These tools are helping organisations to overcome the challenges posed by remote work and enabling employees to collaborate effectively regardless of location. Some of the key ways collaboration and communication tools are helping businesses in 2023 include
Improving teamwork and collaboration through the use of video conferencing, chat, and project management tools
Enhancing communication and information sharing through the use of cloud-based file sharing and collaboration platforms
Increasing flexibility and mobility through the use of cloud-based and mobile collaboration tools, enabling employees to work from anywhere
Improving productivity through the automation of repetitive tasks, freeing up employees to focus on more important work
Enhancing the customer experience through the use of chatbots and virtual assistants for quick and efficient customer support
Facilitating remote training and onboarding through the use of virtual classrooms and e-learning platforms
Streamlining meetings and presentations through the use of virtual meetings and presentation tools
These collaboration and communication tools are helping businesses to remain competitive and productive in a rapidly changing work environment, and are enabling employees to work more effectively and efficiently.
10. Internet of Things (IoT) and Edge Computing
IoT and Edge Computing are technologies that are transforming the way businesses operate. IoT involves the integration of physical devices and sensors with the internet, enabling the collection and analysis of data in real time. Edge Computing refers to the processing of data at or near the source of data, rather than in a central location.
The combination of IoT and Edge Computing is affecting businesses in several key ways in 2023, including
Improving operational efficiency: IoT devices and sensors provide real-time data, enabling organisations to identify inefficiencies and optimise operations
Enhancing decision-making: The data generated by IoT devices can be analysed to provide insights into operations and customer behaviour, improving decision-making
Driving innovation: The integration of IoT and Edge Computing is enabling the development of new and innovative products and services
Improving customer experiences: IoT devices can be used to personalise experiences and improve customer satisfaction
Enhancing supply chain management: IoT devices can be used to track goods in real-time, improving the efficiency and accuracy of supply chain operations
Improving safety and security: IoT devices can be used to monitor and respond to security threats in real-time
How IT Soho can help your business be IT ready in 2023
Increasing your productivity and efficiencies is crucial if you want to be truly competitive in 2023, so how you structure your IT solutions matters. This is where IT Soho comes in.
Our trained IT experts have been working across a number of industries to deliver improved technology solutions, based on our understanding of trends and software advancements. We believe we can do this for you too.
We can offer you a one-time consultation and system set-up or run your IT department on a month-to-month basis. So if you are looking for reliable IT provision give us a call.