7 top technology trends that will shape business in 2019
November 20, 2018 5:25 AM
7 top tech trends that will shape business in 2019
Robotics, digital transformation, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things will be among the top driving forces for corporate growth and competitiveness, says Forrester Research.
7 top tech trends that will shape business in 2019
In its new report, “Predictions 2019: Transformation goes pragmatic,” Forrester Research has revealed its top technology predictions for 2019. Following are the predictions related to data management, digital transformation, artificial intelligence and data security.
Digital goes surgical
“In 2019, digital transformation moves from super-wide enterprise efforts to a pragmatic, surgical portfolio view of digital investments with the goal of making incremental and necessary changes to operations,” Forrester writes. “Tangible efforts, such as shifting customers to lower-cost digital channels, launching digital products, monetizing data assets, and automating processes to improve margins, will come to the fore.”
CIOs take the reins
"The CIO sits at the center of a storm, waging a three-front battle: addressing aging systems and long-standing data issues; driving a business strategy that harnesses the value of a wide range of new, powerful technologies; and maximizing the value and security of today’s environment,” Forrester writes. “In 2019, more CEOs and CIOs will agree that one executive — the CIO — will lead and orchestrate this vital effort; CIOs will spend the time to build their leadership teams, empowering trusted operators to handle much of the day-today. Arguably the most important outcome of 2019 is that leading CIOs will build a model that translates tech-led innovation into customer value.”
AI builds a foundation
“Combined with intelligent tools that move data governance to a more ambient and contextual state, most firms will turn the corner on data governance thanks to AI,” according to Forrester. “Firms will also expand RPA and proofs of concept to broaden the process, product, or experience scope and better understand the impact of AI. RPA and AI technology innovations will combine to create business value while serving as a test bed for broader implementations of AI.”
The world goes to Zero (Trust)
“Zero Trust has been the security strategy for those who already see the risk from both outside and inside their four walls and no longer view perimeter-based strategies as effective … or valid,” Forrester explains. “In 2019 and into 2020, Zero Trust will become the ad hoc standard in the US, adopted by the US government as both its preferred strategy and as inferred guidance to industries. US government adoption will trickle down to industries by following a similar path to the Cybersecurity Framework. It will be more like a healthy waterfall as CISOs and CIOs amp up their ability to play defense in a hostile world.”
B2B in a squeeze
“B2B marketing has been under pressure for several years,” Forrester writes. “Far too many marketing shops are optimized to supply-side market operations and behavior, struggling with foundational issues such as data, grappling with an inefficient and ad hoc technology architecture — and failing to pivot to customer-led marketing. But the core challenge is more existential: They are living in two worlds. In 2019, 33 percent of progressive B2B CMOs will drive change, shifting away from blunt outbound methods to reorienting around customer outcomes. They will take a portfolio approach to micro-segments as a first big step to individualization.”
Robots reimagine talent management
“In 2019, talent leaders will start to execute two interrelated strategies centered on a robotics quotient (RQ) and a good-to-great hiring and development strategy,” Forrester explains. “RQ will become a core learning and measurement fundamental for employees who direct or work alongside digital workers. Employees will need to design and manage a more robust and complex portfolio of RPA-driven processes; design and harness AI as leaders seek to drive massive efficiencies in complex and costly operations; and use automation to free human capital and the associated costs from the mundane and repetitive tasks. In 2019, savvy talent leaders will use automation to address the talent scarcity squeeze, giving up on waiting for expertise and instead hiring for ‘good’ and building to ‘great’ — in short, using automation to free up time, headspace, and funds to develop the needed expertise.”
IoT gets down to business
“While the B2C incarnations of IoT are still trying to find their footing, B2B applications of the technology are set to take off in 2019,” Forrester predicts. “The business case is too obvious and positive. B2B IoT will take a play from the mobile rollouts in 2000 that went beyond the buzz of what was possible, focusing on field assets, distributed management, and remote command and control. In that same way, B2B IoT will focus on driving efficiencies, connecting the enterprise, expanding the edge, and, in some cases, providing personalized customer experiences.”