The IT industry is now a rapidly evolving entity that has sparked a major digital revolution. With the massive advances in science and technology, the IT sector has been prone to change like the wind. What was innovative yesterday could be obsolete next week. With that, the constant battle to innovate is an ongoing process within the IT sector. These are the main trends of 2015.
1. “Outside in” is in
New business technologies are taking shape outside of the traditional business box. These forces shape the trends that seep in and either make big improvements or get left behind. Highly interconnected markets have shown how rapidly and massively these changes occur. A change in mindset is now required to harness this “outside-in” force. Take advantage of new external technologies, use cloud computing and bring your own device (BYOB). This trend looks set to continue for a while yet.
2. Co-creation ecosystem and industry
Partners, customers, and vendors are now creating industry ecosystems to provide deep analysis, market discovery, planning, and co-creation of products and services. This is to meet the needs of the market quickly. A network of business partners cooperates in a vast ecosystem that can easily address any need or problem that arises, such as the rise of Uber and Airbnb. No single player monopolizes the industry anymore.
3. Big Data Analytics Now Takes Center Stage
The rise of a new generation of executives with a background in both business and technology has spurred discussion of big data analytics in the boardroom. Advances in big data analytics that enable near-real-time data have made it easier for tech-savvy executives to review information about customers, products, and partners. This allows well-informed business executives to better implement the necessary changes and actions.
4. SMAC versus traditional IT
The “third platform”, powered by SMAC (social, mobile, analytics and cloud) has created a widening skills gap compared to traditional IT skills. Consumers now demand modern and flexible customer service applications that are cloud-based and mobile. While traditional IT skills are used for the administrative systems that form the core of a business. 2015 will be about balancing the growth needs of the customer service office and the modernization of administrative systems.
5. Mr. Chief Digital Officer
The rise of the chief digital officer (CDO) at many technology companies reflects the need for companies to have digital leadership that understands both technology and business. This is a relatively new position, but it is advancing into executive business positions and even the board of directors. The rapid innovation in technology today has made it crucial for a leader to be able to respond to, create and manage digital change and disruption.