Innovation is critical to the success of IT, with the sector depending on advances in technology and new modes of operation to continue delivering value to businesses.
Next year is set to focus on innovation in the third platform of IT (social, cloud and big data) – especially in the Asia Pacific, excluding Japan (APeJ).
A new release from the International Data Corporation (IDC) has detailed key third platform predictions made by the research firm that should start to impact organisations next year.
Understanding these changes should prove essential for enterprises looking to take advantage of new technologies.
IDC 2015 predictions
The IDC made a number of predictions after research and internal brainstorming sessions among regional and country analysts. Following these internal efforts, a list was created of those changes set to have the biggest commercial impact.
Here are three of the most pertinent for businesses.
1) Technology mash-ups: Given that the third platform is centred upon the cloud, social and big data – as well as mobile – the IDC predicts an intensified rate of adoption of technology mash-ups in 2015.
With an increase in number of users, the firm expects next year to also see a growing number of industries using the technologies. It's expected that organisations will begin to "magnify the power of the third platform" by integrating the technologies.
It's a certainty that a substantial amount of innovation will occur across the different aspects of the third platform, especially given the powerful nature of these trends.
2) Creation of new markets: The IDC report explained the recent surge in wearable technology uptake, as smart bands and smart watches launched from a number of vendors across the globe, including OEMs, "third platform players" and startups.
Similar growth is expected for Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, with a number of new consumer products including sensors and connected equipment. The IoT is essentially a way to improve the understanding of various sectors through enhanced data gathering – often from sensors embedded in various products and tools.
3) Data to become essential: Access to data has become a paramount consideration for companies of all sizes, giving a competitive edge to those businesses willing to engage with highly relevant information.
A retail chain, for example, might begin to analyse at what time of day a certain product is bought, or the most opportune places to advertise in a particular store. By understanding this data, it becomes easier to grow business operations and ineffective processes.
The IDC explains businesses need to do more than simply invest in data management technologies, and carry out a more complete transformation of their organisation. Essentially, companies need to make a shift towards analytically orientated decisions.
Those organisations that delay a push into the use of data could run into a significant amount of trouble.
"IDC predicts that in the next three years, those who fail to adopt a data-driven strategy will no longer be able to effectively meet consumer demands," the IDC researchers explained.
Managing innovation
Businesses across the globe, and the APeJ region in particular, will need to start focusing on how new technologies and processes can benefit their operations.
Of course, any major shift is no easy task for a company and it's important to carry out a transition with a high degree of management and security.
Best practice frameworks, like ITIL from ALC Training, can guide a company throughout a technology transition. This methodology involves several steps, including the identification of IT requirements, followed by the design and implementation of the particular service.
Using this process means the transition is handled effectively from the outset.
Speak to ALC Training today to find out more about how exactly the ITIL framework can be used to improve an organisation, and where the necessary certifications can be delivered.