Digital Transformation is the process businesses will take to integrate technologies into more aspects of their workflows. Peeking at current trends gives us the chance to plan how companies should look to develop their existing technologies. Five major trends that we predict will have a massive impact on not only our present but on setting the stage for our future.

IoT as a Mainstream Technology

Although IoT is a relatively new phenomenon, there have been systems in place that resemble it dating back to the 1830s with the introduction of the telegraph. The telegraph is allowing for an expansion of communication between those using the devices and the devices themselves. After the telegraph, the emergence of IoT would later produce the cell phone, GPS, and the internet. In 2019, an estimated 20 billion connected things were worldwide, which grew to 30 billion by 2020. This emphasizes how vital connectivity will be, whether it be for infrastructure management, health care systems, or transportation management.

Blockchain

The Blockchain is best known for its importance in the birth of Cryptocurrencies and Hyperledgers. Even though Cryptocurrencies fall from the public eye, Blockchain was responsible for powering 20% of IoT deployments by 2019. Blockchain allows for greater transparency, security, and reduction of costs compared to prior ways of managing IoT devices. The Blockchain is no longer an obscure peer-to-peer network technology, proven by the fact that companies like IBM and Microsoft have been eager to adopt Blockchain to provide products that allow startups and developers to build decentralized apps.

Facial Recognization

Facial recognition is trending to become the next evolution of personal security. In the US, it’s best seen through Apple’s newest smartphones, the iPhone XS and XR. This new technology will ensure a new level of security for the everyday consumer that has never been seen before. If you look across the pond to China, companies like KFC have banded up with tech giant Baidu to allow for facial recognition purchases. The company has a database with customers’ faces stored with relevant information such as payment information and food preferences. This allows the consumer instant access to goods and services without the need for debit cards or phones.

Robotic Process Automation(RPA)

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is freeing the workforce from tedious tasks such as Website scraping, customer order processing, and call center operations. This allows the employees previously burdened with these tasks to focus more on innovation instead of general upkeep. RPA is still in its early stages and not fully ready for deployment in the corporate workplace. By the end of the year, RPA should have advanced enough to start changing workplaces forever.

5G and Related Technologies 

5G is one of the most significant technology trends in present. The deployment of 5G has already begun for the largest carriers such as Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. 5G is a massive improvement over 4G, with speeds capable of being 20 times faster. 4G has a limit of 1GB per second vs. 5G’s 20GB per second. 5G will positively affect user experience regarding their internet usage, but the big news is its effect on IoT. Possessing these speeds opens up a world of possibilities for autonomous vehicles and wireless VR. Technology will be able to communicate with each other faster than ever before.

This is an exciting year for the evolution of IoT, Blockchain, Facial Recognition, RPA, and 5G. These technologies will not only change the workplace but also revolutionize how we interact with technology. Businesses should be prepared for the increasing connectivity between IoT devices and how consumers will react to the massive change in speed and data flow. As the year progresses, these five trends will slowly come to fruition, and those who ignore these changes in the industry may regret not seeing the writing on the wall.