WE EXAMINE SOME OF THE TECHNOLOGY TRENDS THAT WILL BUILD THE NEAR FUTURE.
In the webinar Predictions 2023 For Tech Leaders Forrester analysts mention automation technologies as one of the main trends for 2023, particularly applied to the retail sector, in all areas: from cooking to financial functions, from digital and robotic process automation to workforce optimisation. Edge computing is expected to grow, with the rise of enterprise-level networks and Zero Trust architectures, alongside the emergence of new security systems to protect them. The increasing development of low-code platforms will also lead to the need to strengthen security and governance policies to protect end users.
The main challenges are a shortage of technological talent and resistance to change: creativity and resilience must be the key words.
As early as October 2021, when releasing their forecasts for the following year, data from Forrester Analytics highlighted some key points to watch out for: more than half of European consumers declared their intention to buy from brands that correspond to their personal values: 62% in the Netherlands, 57% in Spain and 55% in Italy.
69% of consumers also demanded more transparency on commercial practices. The topic of sustainability, which was already present then, will become increasingly relevant in the future: according to Forrester, consumer trust was still at a low level in 2001: only 34% of consumers trusted the statements issued by companies on the actions taken to reduce climate change. In 2023, companies are faced with the need to avoid greenwashing and take concrete steps to avoid betraying this already low level of trust. The subject of Superapps is proving to be increasingly crucial, especially in finance and insurance. The ransomware phenomenon must be combated with a targeted and more consistent effort in the management of corporate resources.
Themes confirmed by the Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2023 forecast by Gartner analysts. The largest investments over the next 36 months will be focused around three key themes: optimisation, scale and pioneering. Many of the technologies mentioned in the analysis will be essential for optimising companies’ resilience, security and business operations, increasing their partners and customers’ trust in the brands, and proposing new opportunities and accelerations.
By 2025, organisations that invest in building a digital immune system will increase revenue and customer satisfaction by reducing downtime by 80%. According to Gartner’s definition, a robust digital immune system (DIS) is able to protect continuity and mitigate business and operational risks through practices and technologies for software design, development and analysis, and security management.
By 2026, 70% of the businesses that adopt an orchestrated approach by integrating business functions, applications, infrastructure and processes (I&O) will achieve shorter latency periods in their decision-making processes, to the complete benefit of the business. Observable data, thanks also to the support of artificial intelligence, will increasingly be considered a key value to promote fast and accurate decision-making processes and provide the right answers to decision makers and stakeholders.
By 2027, more than 50% of enterprise companies will use cloud platforms with modular, industry-specific capabilities to accelerate their business initiatives. Vertical cloud platforms combine traditional cloud services, software and as-a-service infrastructure (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS) to address the challenges and needs of specific industries.
Also by 2026, 80% of software companies will have dedicated teams in place to provide in-house services, components and reusable tools for deployment of the applications. Operational and modular platforms that simplify the release of software will become increasingly popular, facilitating the flow for developers and end users. Platform engineering offers the possibility of facilitating processes for all the actors involved.
By 2025, 50% of companies will implement theintegration of 5 or more wireless solutions, network services and protocols used simultaneously on a single infrastructure, compared to the current figure of less than 15%. Smart grids and infrastructures are expected to go far beyond pure connectivity, becoming a direct source of business value and an innovation opportunity to promote new digital services. Wireless endpoints will be used to collect data and information in real time.
By 2027, more than 50% of the world’s population will actively use multiple Superapps on a daily basis: ecosystems that encapsulate the functionality of an app, the services of a platform and access to third-party mini apps. A highly customised and contextualised digital experience within a single app.
Finally, by 2025, 50% of CIOs will have adopted performance metrics to measure the sustainability of organisations. Environmental technologies, to prevent, mitigate and adapt to the hazards of the natural world; social technologies, to improve outcomes in terms of human rights, welfare and prosperity; governance technologies, to strengthen business conduct and equitably develop the capabilities of all. Apps, software, marketplaces and anti-waste solutions – e.g. for renewable energy – help to create the conditions not only for greater operational resilience, but also for improved financial performance.
