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Technology is evolving more quickly than ever as we move into a new decade. The next 10 years will bring innovations we haven’t yet foreseen but based on existing trends it is possible to look into the crystal ball and make some confident predictions about the shape of business technology to come.

Businesses that don’t keep up risk being left behind so it’s important to understand where the opportunities are going to. Here is a look at some areas which the Aura Technology team expect to see develop during the 2020s.

Distributed cloud computing

Cloud computing has taken workplace operations to a whole new level which is why most UK businesses are now migrating to the cloud. When it started out, cloud computing used a centralised data centre running thousands of servers – but increasingly a distributed cloud infrastructure known as “edge computing” is transforming the way data is handled.

To put it simply, edge computing brings computation and data storage closer to devices rather than relying on a central location far away. Data analysed at the ‘edge’ of the network in this way does not suffer as greatly from latency issues. This is going to become more and more important given the amount of data we expect to be generated from IoT (internet of things) devices linked by 5G connections.

Automation

Autonomous “things” are devices which use artificial intelligence to automate functions normally performed by humans – we have robots, drones and some intelligent appliances already, but as the technology capability improves, autonomous things will be increasingly deployed.

The most often quoted example is driverless cars, but it remains to be seen whether these will be common on the roads by the end of the new decade. What is more certain is that businesses will leverage this technology to maximise profit potential and make our lives easier. Think automated banking and manufacturing processes. For many organisations we will see automation become a key driver of their business.

5G

The launch of 5G was the main tech event this year and will become a driving factor in wireless technology growth. It is expected to reach the remainder of the UK in 2020 and bring with it higher broadband speeds and reliable wireless and mobile networks. Put simply, everything will get faster.

5G will be able to support billions of connected devices and services across a range of industry sectors. Manufacturing operations will become more flexible and efficient with reduced maintenance costs, and access to huge amounts of data.  5G will enable new retail experiences like virtual dressing rooms, accelerate the digitalization of financial institutions and increase efficiencies in the healthcare industry. Because of its easily portable nature, 5G will also bring connectivity to areas that have previously been poorly served by broadband, helping to get businesses in those areas up to speed with remote working and digital transformation.

AI and Cybersecurity

Businesses of any size are now working with more devices, higher data volumes and other technologies to stay ahead of the game. But this means cyber criminals’ methods are evolving too and so the threat of an attack increases. AI is all about making IT security more effective, efficient and manageable – it’s being used already in security measures your business might be using, for example; Secure User Authentication, Fraud detection and Spam Filter Applications.

Next year, experts predict a growth in the use of artificial intelligence to monitor and detect problems – machine learning technology will be built into software to recognise patterns and automatically block threats. One day AI may eliminate the need for passwords – it will be able to track every user in a business based on their common actions and role. Anything out of the ordinary would be flagged up and require a second form of authentication like biometrics, for example.

Extended Reality (EX)

You have probably heard of virtual reality and augmented reality but what about extended reality? Extended Reality or EX merges these to create an even more immersive experience. We typically see this form of technology in gaming or retail, but extended reality is opening up an opportunity for businesses in a number of industries to connect with their customers and staff.

EX gives employees a place to train in a low-risk, virtual environment – ideal for high risk scenarios or industrial work. For remote workers, AI can enable employers and staff to connect and share content ‘face-to-face’ – you can have your entire team in one room at once. Communication will become more engaging and effective no matter the distance between employees.

These technology trends identify that business will be prioritising improving the digital workspace, cybersecurity and data storage in the next year – but because technology is evolving so quickly, it’s important that businesses are smart about their investments. At Aura Technology, we can help your business with its digital transformation, beginning with a thorough strategic IT review to assess your business’ current and future technology needs. For more information contact info@auratechnology.com.