‘’Digital Transformation’’ (DX) has become a buzzword lately, but if you thought that DX was a new concept – think again! The Digital Transformation begun as we started to computerise business processes and operations, which was almost 30 years ago!
I have had a look at what the Top 5 Trends within Digital Transformation will be for 2019, to support the expansion. Although none of these are new, we can expect to see an upswing within the following areas;
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning(ML)
You’ve probably heard of these popular terms, not to be confused with each other.
Artificial Intelligence is the wider notion of machines being able to complete tasks in away that we would consider “smart”.
Machine Learning is a current application of AI, which is based around the belief that machines should be able to them learn by themselves, as long as they are given data from humans.
2. Blockchain
Technology has generated a foundation of a new breed of internet, by allowing digital information to be distributed but not copied. What was first created for ‘Bitcoin’ (the digital currency), has now started to expand its’ purpose within the tech community. For example, are many application vendors embedding blockchain into specific applications.
3. Internet of Things (IoT)
Smart toothbrushes, smart hair straighteners and smart dog activity trackers… these are all examples of devices that are connected to the web as part of the IoT.
Matthew Evans, The IoT Programme Head at techUK, explains “simply, the Internet of Things is made up of devices – from simple sensors, to smartphones and wearables – connected together”.
Experts predict more than half of new businesses will run on the IoT by 2020.
4. Cloud Platforms
Cloud computing services are usually categorised into three types – Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS). Today, most enterprise businesses use one or more cloud platforms, from one or more providers – this is mainly to take advantage of strengths of different providers.
5. Conversational User Interfaces (CUIs)
A Conversational UI gives us the benefit of being able to interact with a computer on human terms, as opposed to entering code language or clicking icons. CUIs come in two forms – voice assistant (who you talk to) and chatbots (who you type to).
More companies set up conversation-based interfaces powered by AI chatbots, which have proved themselves to be useful in various contexts. Chatbots have taken their place in chat products, as well as in stand-alone interfaces.
As a customer in today’s fast-paced dynamic era, it wouldn’t make any sense to get the answer to a query by a phone call or web-search, right?!
As said, none of these trends are new. On that note, with the tech market quickly expanding and letting new players in the game, only the sky seems to be the limit for what will be possible to achieve – both in 2019, but also in the next few years.
