Gartner’s Top 10 Trends for 2012

Earlier this year, Gartner Research released their annual list of top technology trends impacting the business world. These trends aren’t necessarily new. Some of them are simply continuations or advancement of ongoing trends. At the same time, some of these trends represent a technology come of age such as mobile devices or cloud computing. Other trends suggest an emerging technology that is still young but sure to have impact in the coming years.

It is helpful for SMBs to understand the emerging trends since many of the shifts in technology over the last few years make it possible for smaller businesses to compete locally, nationally and even internationally alongside larger entreprises. These emerging trends are not all budget busters either. Many of them are accessible on affordable levels for the strategic business thinker.

Here is Gartner’s Top 10 list followed by my comments:

1. Mobile devices.
2. Web apps.
3. Personal cloud.
4. The Internet of Things.
5. Cloud Computing.
6. Strategic Big Data.
7. Actionable Analytics.
8. In-memory Computing.
9. Virtual Appliances.
10. Enterprise App Stores.

These trends represent shifts in the way businesses comunicate, research, operate, secure information and adapt to the future. SMBs are not insulated from changing trends in the market and it would be helpful for business owners and technology leaders within a business to consider how the changing landscape may impact business activities.

Mobile Devices – BYOD has implication for engagement with all stakeholders: staff; business to consumer; business to vendors; and more. The rise of mobile devices will only increase in 2013, overtaking the role of PC as the most common way to access the web. Businesses must consider the relation of mobile devices to security, data governance and engagment optimization with customers.

Web Apps – The increase of web applications may shift how employees perform daily functions as well as opening possibilities for reaching customers in new ways.

Personal Cloud – Because of the increasing acceptance of cloud computing both businesses and individuals will continue to embrace cloud solutions at an increasing rate, changing the nature of PC computing to “thin-client” cloud computing. According to Gartner, ”no one platform, form factor, technology or vendor will dominate.” [1] This opens both opportunities and challenges for business of all size.

The Internet of Things – As the Internet has blended more and more into the fabric of daily life, it will move into background of many activities. With the release of 4G, technology moves closer to the IMT-Advanced protocols, which allow broadband speeds from anywhere, anytime. More and more devices are being developed that utilize Internet functionality from cars to coffee makers to cameras and more, we are entering an age where day to day activities may radically change in home and business alike.

Cloud Computing – As use of the cloud becomes standard operating procedures, data governance and policies will become essential for businesses of all sizes.

Strategic Big Data – Big Data has been a growing catch-phrase in the enterprise world, but in the coming years “big data” can play a fundamental role in small to medium businesses as well.

Actionable Analytics – By opening the world of Big Data to SMBs, data-based decision making can play a more strategic role in businesses, shifting historical analysis to predictive analysis.

In-memory Computing – Data processing that used to take hours and days, can be reduced to seconds and minutes through in-memory databases.

Virtual Appliances – As virtualization increases, virtual appliances will play a more integral role in day to day business operations alongside physical appliances.

Enterprise App Stores – IT departments will shift into managing, governing and supporting application use among staff.

Some of these trends may seem more familiar than others, and each trend will impact businesses at different levels. Integracon works with our clients to navigate this changing landscape and help business owners and technology directors make strategic decisions about infrastructure planning.

[1]  7 Predictions for Cloud Computing in 2013 That Make Perfect Sense, Joe McKendrick, (http://www.forbes.com/sites/joemckendrick/2012/12/09/7-predictions-for-cloud-computing-in-2013-that-make-perfect-sense/ (accessed December 13, 2012).