Tech trends often shape how companies do business, and recent ones show the markets favoring business models relying on developing and using software and software-based solutions. Not every technological development will impact your company, but many unrelated ones can inspire innovation to boost your growth. Knowing which trends to jump on is a matter of timing and inspiration, but you must first know which ones to follow.
As-A-Service Options
One of the most recognizable as-a-service options on the market is Software as a Service. This type of business model has been in high demand for so long that the categories of Artificial Intelligence and Platforms as a Service are often listed separately and thrive on their own. Businesses centered around as-a-service options can be found in almost every industry, including firms offering Disaster Recovery and Operations options. Many of these companies will offer multiple types of as-a-service options so you can bundle them together. As a business owner, finding the right -aaS options can help you provide your customers with more value for their money. For instance, using a SaaS platform like Plume to help deliver more efficient WiFi to your subscribers. You are letting the SaaS provider take on the development and management of the software for a fraction of the cost of doing it all in-house.
Voice Search
Voice search used to be the punchline and is quickly becoming the standard. Every year, searching the internet by speaking to your phone or computer becomes more accessible and accurate, so enabling your customers to search your website by saying the name of a product or service can keep traffic from bouncing away without a purchase. Voice search capabilities of major search engines will also change how you optimize your website and content to rank high on the results list. Chances are that you can already see the differences that voice search capabilities can make in your marketing campaigns and SEO efforts, with fewer misspelled keywords showing up in your recommendations.
Data Mining
Big Data and data analytics are making significant differences for companies of all sizes. Whether you have an in-house analytics team or have hired one as a service, you can mine data from sources around the world and use it to generate reports on how your company is currently doing, where it is headed, and which growth goals are worth pursuing. One of the latest innovations with data is having a Robotic Process Automation system learn how to do a task by monitoring your interactions with the Graphical User Interface, making it easier to automate systems and streamline your workflow. Data mining can also help you define and find your ideal customers so you can generate suitable targeted advertisements and drive more traffic to your website.
AI Employees
Artificial Intelligence is becoming more accessible for business and can be found mining data, chatting with online customers and driving fleet vehicles. While you can find AI as a Service, you can also set up a system to learn from your chosen data set and perform the tasks your company needs to automate. AI systems have long been used in automated manufacturing, but you can find these systems for many of the repetitive tasks which occupy your time. Combining voice search and AI technologies can produce highly accurate human speech and conversations, enabling your customers to talk to a representative any time of the day without adding to your overhead. The improvements in this specialized area have already given rise to AI personal assistants to help keep your calendar, impart information and order goods or services.
Following the latest tech trends to see what is happening in the world around you is vastly different from keeping track of the trends which can impact your company. These trends can help you innovate new processes, streamline your workflow and much more, as long as you know which ones to act on now and which to watch.
