The year 2018 is still few months away. However, people begin seeking what will become trends in 2018, including the trend of digital transformation. Of course, you can see that the year 2017 is the beginning for digital transformations. Many things like smart machines, big data, and user experience platform have become the mainstream. So, what will be the trends next years? Here are some expected transformations brought to digital world.
Interesting Digital Transformations in 2018
Some interesting terms will be even more popular next year. They include Internet of Things (IoT), 5G, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), and many more. Here are some digital transformation trends related to these terms:
IoT
An estimate showed than more than 8.4 billion “things” are available online now. Everything has gone onto internet. The increase is approximately 30% from last year. Of course, IoT is nothing, unless it is used to get things connected. Some things related to IoT next year include deep data analysis, edge computing, and eventually, 5G cell processing.
• Data analytics; information produced by IoT is able to revolutionize everything in every sector, from healthcare industry, manufacturing, and even spatial layout of a city. Companies can use IoT-produced information to increase operational efficiency by cutting unnecessary costs.
• Edge computing; this is increasingly important in the process toward cloud-computing system. Edge computing is driven by the volume and speed of information obtained from IoT. Many next-generation devices are based upon the use of edge computing system. They include driverless vehicles, AI-powered smart devices, and smart drones communicate well with everything produced with IoT. Edge computing is the only option for smart devices that rely upon real-time data, real-time response, and real-time processing.
• 5G cellular service; the increased dependence upon information obtained via IoT will also force the mobile providers to deliver faster services than ever. The movement toward 5G will not happen overnight, but the process has been around. Some devices, like Samsung and Sony have embraced the leap from Gigabit LTE, which bridges between the current LTE and 5G.
Therefore, if you treat IoT as something new this year, you will see it as a mainstream next year, since everything will increasingly depend upon the Internet of Things.
Blockchain
Even though the 2017 seems to be the momentum for Bitcoin, next year is likely to be the time for Blockchain. This is evident from the fact that Blockchain ranked the second in the list of top search items. On one hand, this amazing tool is more popular among financial industry, which easy attracts attention from other industries.
On the other hand, it will also be useful in numerous other industries, like entertainment, hospitality, and even healthcare. Again, the path for Blockchain will not be opened overnight. It is estimated that only 20% of the global trade finance will have moved to Blockchain.
Artificial Intelligence
Just like IoT, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will transform from newbie into a mainstream. You can see that everyone is getting more familiar with Siri, Alexa, or chatbots that serve as customer service. It is no wonder that AI will be everywhere next year. Businesses will use AI to provide the customers with smarter, cheaper, and faster services by means of automation. Everything, from content generation, automated decisions, emails, and industrial manufacturing is increasingly dependent upon automated systems.
Virtual Reality
The VR fever has been around since 2016. Will the 2018 be the year for reality? Many people were excited with the news of the upcoming VR-supporting headsets, but they are out of nowhere now. It seems that Augmented Reality (AR) has pushed VR away, because the former is cheaper, simpler, and easier to use. However, many people predict that VR will re-gain its name in 2018. Do you think so?
Culture
What is the problem with the word ‘culture’ in the 2018 digital transformation? It sounds bad, but organizations that are struggling with culture issues in 2018 will face even harder challenge next year. On one hand, organizational cultures are commonly against the digital transformation. Many digital-related items do not go alone with corporate cultures.
On the other hand, culture is not a permanent term. The organization must be able to adapt to the trends in the digital world. Therefore, those that want to have successful transformation must not keep a resistant culture.
If the digital transformations are still a part of buzzword in 2017, it will force many companies and industries to take a leap next year. Otherwise, they will be left behind. Digital transformation is not a joke anymore. Instead, it will become an imperative term in the business market. Of course, every transformation has its own cost. The businesses need to make proper preparation to anticipate unwanted risks of the digital world.
