It’s fun to fantasize about the future of business, but what kind of technology can we realistically expect to make a difference in the way ordinary businesses function? Today, we hope to answer this question by examining three emerging technologies we think might make a splash in the business environment moving forward.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence promises to be a major game-changer for businesses moving forward. Still, AI is not the most far-along technology out there, but as more businesses use it, the possibilities could expand. The idea here is that smarter technology will use machine learning to continue to learn and grow, leading businesses to focus more on operations and support. Still, despite many IT professionals cautioning users against its implementation, AI is not going anywhere; it’s here to stay, but it takes a certain implementation to bring about enough ROI to make it worthwhile.

There are AI-fueled applications out there that have helped businesses overcome their operational inefficiencies, but the fact of the matter is that these applications have not yielded a significant return on investment–--at least, not one comparable to the ones that smaller businesses need to justify such an investment. AI requires that the system be configured appropriately so as to increase value, and that value does not come cheap. Furthermore, AI systems also bring into question infrastructure and governance, both of which must be considered to adequately implement AI.

The verdict: AI can provide significant growth potential, but it requires considerable investment to make it happen, and you must first determine how and where it fits into your business model before committing to it. Some applications you might consider implementing are a ChatBot software to help with customer support or cybersecurity tools that respond to the current threat landscape.

Internet of Things

Smart devices and Internet of Things devices are technologies that can be put to great use by small businesses. They can be used to hodgepodge together systems to improve efficiency and reduce costs, and the neat thing is that there are solutions out there that fit into just about any business model. Whether it’s a barcode scanner or a smart lock, businesses can use IoT devices for a variety of reasons and purposes. Plus, these devices can also collect data that can be used for assessment of operations!

The IoT is expected to grow to 50 billion connected devices by 2025, so you can bet that the applications for these devices will only grow in scope and scale over time. While the connectedness is one of these devices’ greatest strengths, it’s also one of their greatest weaknesses, as they are known for having subpar data security and for sharing data a little too freely. You’ll want to invest in security if you want to use the IoT to your advantage. Thankfully, you can just give Compudata a call for any of your security needs!

Cloud Computing

We know you’re probably sick to death of hearing about how the cloud can be transformative for your business, but it really is that important. Let us explain. The cloud gives your business the ability to fulfill just about any task in computing without investing massive sums of capital into your infrastructure. It can save you from purchasing application licenses, too. All it takes is paying a monthly fee to manage and maintain your cloud platform.

While this is a technology that is actively being used, cloud computing is so dynamic that the ways businesses can utilize it are growing by the day. Plus, it is becoming increasingly more cost-effective to use the cloud for these purposes. We recommend that you monitor your cloud usage so that you don’t accidentally wind up over-utilizing (or underutilizing) your cloud resources.

If you want some help with bringing your technology infrastructure into the future, Compudata can help. To learn more, reach out to us at 1-855-405-8889.