Finances may have been shored up in the middle of this year’s market uncertainty, but today’s businesses are valuing information technology more than ever. From the best laptops for video editing under 500 to advanced cybersecurity and cloud computing, technology has played a significant role in mitigating the economic damage caused by COVID-19.

As a result, digital transformations previously parked were put into motion. Tech initiatives slated to take several years were implemented in just a few short months. Plus, businesses are investing more in technology to improve their operations. Whether it’s considering developer C++ outsourcing or implementing intelligent automation, technology is here to stay and businesses are for it.

As the world rolls toward 2021, here are emerging technologies that businesses can look forward to.

Work from Home is Here to Stay

When employees were forced to work from home due to the pandemic, businesses had to quickly adapt their operations to a remote setting. Now that companies know better, most businesses are rethinking their company models and structures. Do companies still need offices or is better to invest in remote work technology?

Some businesses prefer the remote work set-up due to the increase in productivity they are experiencing. Working from home, however, is not ideal for others. For this reason, in 2021, businesses need to reconsider the structure of their workspaces, as well as offer enough support for people working remotely.

Cloud Innovation

Whether private, public or hybrid, the cloud has proven itself as a game-changer in terms of business continuity. Global businesses heavily depend on cloud technology to support their workforce and operations, especially now that more people are working remotely.

Cloud-enabled solutions range from the Internet of Things (IoT), the on-premise public cloud, 5G mobile edge and the global network cloud. Market experts believe that cloud spend will grow more than six times this 2021.;

Intelligent Automation

Automation is another top business trend in 2021. Businesses will evaluate their operations and processes to see which areas of the business can be automated.

A combination of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and robotic process automation (RPA) are the important ingredients in intelligent process automation aka intelligent automation. This concept encapsulates a set of digital technologies designed to transform businesses across different industries.

Often referred to as the new phase of digital transformation, intelligent automation will provide a better customer experience while augmenting profitability and operational expenses.

Cybersecurity

Greater dependence on the cloud and a continuous shift to remote work is not without consequences. Most likely, there will be worse cyberattacks due to the new multiple points of entry. Since businesses would rather not face massive fines and loss of customer trust, they are investing in more advanced cybersecurity tools.

The cybersecurity solution and tool marketplace is ready to deal with the growing demand for dynamic and competitive products. Since the cybersecurity industry is dealing with a widening skills gap, expect more investments in intelligent cybersecurity systems.

Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT)

An interconnected world means that the Internet of Things (IoT) is here to stay. Although the IoT connects devices to the internet, it is an artificial intelligence that gives them a “mind of their own.” The Ai in connected devices creates more opportunities to improve a system’s productivity, reliability and efficiency.

AI-powered Internet of Things devices will continue to speed up the process of industrial automation, as well as flag predictive maintenance measures for the logistics and manufacturing industries.

Everything-as-a-Service (XaaS)

The massive shift to the cloud has made XaaS a must-have tech investment for the next year. This service model has the potential to simplify tech developments and cut costs drastically. Considered as foundations of the cloud computing industry, Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) add more value for projects and reduce on-premise costs.

Cybersecurity Mesh

Cybersecurity mesh makes it possible to get any digital security asset, regardless of the location. The advantage of this mesh is that it permits users to put the security divider around the team concerned instead of the entire organization.

The sudden ascent in cloud technology and remote workforces has influenced how companies secure their assets outside of the organization’s edge. With the assistance of the cybersecurity mesh, the security border can cover the workforce who works remotely.

Social Engagement

During the height of COVID-19, brands relied on customer engagement via social media. 2021 sees a big push towards a more authentic presence on social media, such as a behind-the-scenes look at the business. Apart from this, there will also be more micro-influencers in the industry.

2021 may be met with uncertainty, but businesses can look forward to the New Year by preparing for what it may offer. Fortunately, technology exists to help them improve their processes, making the most of opportunities.