1. AI and Automation: Automated processes, machine learning, and AI that can help drive efficiency and effectiveness throughout all levels of a business are expected to become increasingly important components of digital transformation.
2. Cloud Computing: Cloud computing will continue to be a major trend over the course of 2021. Companies will be looking to divest themselves of expensive, on-premise hosting solutions in favour of the flexibility and scalability of the cloud.
3. Smart Data Platforms: Smart data platforms will help companies collect, store, monitor, and analyze data, allowing them to continuously tweak the way they do business.
4. Edge Computing: Edge computing will enable businesses to process and analyze data closer to the source, providing real-time insights and responses and reducing the amount of data that needs to be produced, stored, and managed in the cloud.
5. Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity will be increasingly important for companies that are collecting, storing, and analyzing data, as well as those that are using cloud and edge computing solutions.
6. Internet of Things (IoT): IoT is predicting to have a seismic effect on the industrial sector, connecting machines and sensors and enabling companies to more effectively monitor, analyze, and control the operations of their factories.
7. Augmented and Virtual Reality: Augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) will continue to become increasingly common in 2021. In the enterprise space, these technologies can be used for training and collaboration.
8. Blockchain: Businesses are looking to blockchain technology as a secure and decentralized alternative to existing databases and systems.