As an increasing number of UK businesses digitalise and automate their systems, we highlight what to expect in business technology this year.
Adapting to new technology is essential for businesses that want to keep ahead of their competitors, regardless of sector or industry. The acceleration of innovation in business software applications sparked by the Covid-19 pandemic shows no sign of slowing down, as we explore new ways to improve hybrid working and digital workplace experiences.
From providing businesses with shared communication and collaboration channels between organisations, to the rise of the Metaverse, personalised 3D avatars, and the fastest data ever, Cielo Costa looks at the key software and technology developments that business leaders need to know about now.
Hybrid working:
After almost two years of widespread remote and flexible working, most businesses have accepted that hybrid workplaces are here to stay. Driven by customer demand, technology companies are working furiously to improve the functionality of business software solutions that support the new world of hybrid work, enhancing user experience (UX) while reducing cybersecurity risks.
Microsoft is introducing a range of new tools to improve business communications and collaboration, including Microsoft Teams Connect and Microsoft Mesh.
Microsoft Teams Connect will enable better collaboration between organisations, without increasing security risks. Instead of grappling with numerous accounts, companies can use one account to create a shared channel to schedule meetings and streamline projects and collaborations across organisations. The tool is expected to be ready for preview early this year.
Mesh for Microsoft Teams will enable colleagues to meet and collaborate in full 3D Virtual Reality (VR) environments, literally adding a new dimension to meetings, webinars and conferences. Team members can share experiences from anywhere, on any device, and even develop their own personalised avatars.
E-commerce and retail:
E-commerce now accounts for more than one quarter of all UK retail sales and is expected to continue to increase its market share during 2022 and beyond.
The intensity of competition means businesses need to take advantage of the most innovative software applications and business technology to ensure they provide customers with the smoothest possible journey from browse to buy.
A key trend this year will be businesses continuing the upgrade their e-commerce platforms to optimise for purchases via mobile phones. There will also be a big increase in the use of automation and AI to speed up retail processes and provide a more engaging user experience, for example, through more sophisticated online chatbots.
Forward-thinking retailers will be investing in augmented reality to gain a technological edge over their rivals. For inspiration, have a look at Amazon’s AR View, a digital shopping assistant which allows the customer to use their mobile phone to visualise how a product would look in their home before they buy.
Another area of focus for online retailers will be in optimisation of logistics. As demand for online purchases increases dramatically then so too the ever-increasing customer expectations around delivery – next day, same day, in a few hours! The competition is fierce, and technology is a key part of this at all stages in the process.
5G:
While 5G has been rolled out to major UK cities since 2019, it has yet to become widely used as it requires 5G-enabled handsets. However, as these become more common, we are set to experience the fastest data ever, promising huge benefits for business efficiency and the speed of business technology.
To put it into context, 5G has the potential to be 100 times faster than 4G, reaching speeds of up to 10Gbp/s – which would download a high-definition movie in less than a second.
The widespread adoption of 5G is still a few years away but planning for this change is vital as this huge increase in data speed will make a big difference to businesses that utilise the IoT (Internet of Things). For example, it will improve efficiencies within smart buildings such as hospitals which use automated security devices, temperature controls and door locks, as well as making it possible for self-driving cars to communicate with each other more quickly.
Data privacy:
Consumer awareness about how businesses use – and monetise – personal data is steadily increasing.
As governments around the world consider ways to regulate how technology companies utilise customer data, big tech leaders are taking steps to highlight that they are taking customer privacy concerns seriously. For example, in 2021, with the rollout of iOS 14.5, Apple told app developers they would be required to ask users for permission to track their behaviour and data.
The writing is on the wall for all businesses. Regardless of which jurisdictions and industries they operate in, companies will come under increasing pressure from shareholders and stakeholders to demonstrate that they are serious about data privacy and compliance.
At Cielo Costa, we are passionate about keeping up with the latest industry trends so we can give our clients the best possible business software solutions, tailor-made to address their specific business challenges.
We would love to chat about how we can help your business grow.
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It’s important that by working with Cielo Costa on a support contract, that we become an extension of your team.
We hand-hold and resolve the support issues whilst at the same time taking a longer-term view on updates, tech enhancements and developments to make the tools more efficient more responsive and more agile for your business.
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At Cielo Costa, we are becoming the world’s most desired technology consultancy. When our clients seek a partner to help them overcome their business challenges by building a software solution, we are the first they think of.
