Five Must-Read IT and Tech Trends to Look Out For in 2022

The end of the year is a time for reflection, but also a time of looking ahead at what’s to come as we switch the calendars over.

This is a quick, at-a-glance look at what to expect in the IT and tech sectors for 2022 and beyond.

1. The Internet of Things Will Continue to Expand in Business

After much talk, the Internet of Things (IoT) finally seems to be weaving its way into every aspect of modern life. In the business world, this is likely to grow even more into 2022. We’ve already seen connectivity introduced in retail settings to provide a more seamless experience for shoppers - for example with smart fitting rooms and augmented reality experiences.

IoT allows for many touchpoints to record, gather and process data from a single location. This means businesses can be better equipped and informed to make data-driven decisions that improve their productivity and customer experience.

2. A Renewed Focus on Cyber Security

In light of the ongoing struggles against the Covid-19 pandemic, many businesses continue to see their workforce working remotely at least some of the time. With this comes a range of logistical obstacles to overcome, none more important than the cyber security element. It’s imperative that workers are able to complete their tasks safely and securely, which is why cyber security continues to be an essential element of IT support.

Moving into 2022, strategies such as cyber security mesh - which secures each device with its own perimeter (e.g. a firewall or network protection tool) - will come to the fore as businesses look to better defend themselves from malicious attacks.

3. NFTs Will Continue Their Exponential Rise

The cryptocurrency world continued to boom (and crash, and boom) throughout 2021, and that gave rise to the relatively new phenomenon of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). This type of cryptocurrency means each NFT has a unique identity and comes without the fluctuation in the value of the typical crypto markets. They’ve seen exponential growth in use as a way for artists and creators to auction off or sell their products to a digital audience.

NFTs use blockchain technology, which means they rely on (and impact) data centres and energy usage. This is something that many companies are looking to improve on and be in more control of.

4. Sustainability Will Be Under The Spotlight More Closely Than Ever

Data usage, generation and processing mean an increase in energy consumption. Even those companies that use cloud-based solutions have a carbon footprint; all that data has to be stored and processed somewhere and somehow!

With climate change one of the key talking points of 2021 - particularly during the often tense COP26 summit in Glasgow - 2022 presents an opportunity for businesses to lead by example on the sustainability front. With the public now often choosing to use products and services by companies who are making an effort to improve their sustainability, public perception of a business’s eco-credentials may be the difference between gaining a new client or customer and/or keeping an existing one.

‘Greenwashing’ won’t wash though, so be able to back up your sustainability credentials and prove that what you’re doing is having an impact.

5. AI and DI Will Become More Prevalent in the Workplace

Artificial intelligence and machine learning continue to be huge assets to businesses, allowing for informed decision making from large quantities of data. From this, we’ll see an increase in the use of DI (decision intelligence) to better implement change and positive experiences for staff, customers and clients.

For example, predictive analytics can be used to analyse data and implement automated recommendations in software or online services, tailored towards a customer’s behaviour or previous touchpoints.

Are you prepared?

The start of a new year is always a good time to analyse and prepare for the coming months. If you need support and impartial, friendly advice without the hard sell, we’re here to help. Contact us today and we’ll be delighted to support your business from an IT perspective into 2022 and beyond. Call 03300 886 116 to see how we can help.