It’s no secret that investing in certain strategies, platforms and technologies are a shortcut to digital 
prowess. According to the 2015 PwC Digital IQ Survey, which takes a yearly look at the evolving tech landscape, 69 % of business and IT leaders invested in cybersecurity, 61 % put money into private cloud software and 54% focused on data mining and analysis in the last 12 months. But unfortunately limiting yourself to investments that are just by-products of doing business in the digital era isn’t enough to leave competitors in the dust. From the rise of wearable technology to a new breed of business sensor designed to capture and capitalise on customer data, these three fast-growing tech trends should be high on your digital radar.
Wearable technology
Forget the Apple lovers splashing out on the Smart Watch and the exercise fiends obsessed with their Fitbit – wearable tech is set to take the enterprise by storm. Although these devices are often associated with consumer technology, wearable displays and smart badges can also provide a hands-free way for employees to engage with customers on a real-time basis or act as a tool for on-boarding and training. Companies that operate in industrial settings can equip their workers with goggles, lanyards and sensor-embedded clothing to measure productivity and reduce injuries when it comes to repetitive tasks. And wearables can help retailers transform employees into mobile sales-terminals while improving communication and collaboration.
The challenge: Although there’s no shortage of applications for wearable technology, smart devices have several limits. For wearable technology to be effective, it must be designed around user behaviour, offer actionable findings and seamlessly integrate with enterprise data and other applications. Collecting and deploying sensitive data also poses a new set of threats. Companies interested in embracing wearable devices must revise and invest in a robust cybersecurity strategy.
NoSQL databases
In the last year, the NoSQL database, a type of open-source database that provides reliable, scalable storage that’s often well-equipped to deal with the Big Data explosion appeared alongside old, relational databases at a steady rate. Although relational databases are still better suited to core functions such as transaction processing and reporting, their NoSQL counterparts shine when it comes to analytics and intelligence as well as data gleaned from social networks, video, audio and sensors.
The challenge: The agility that makes NoSQL databases appealing to users can also spell serious security concerns. The fact that these open-source databases can be deployed rapidly via the cloud can create risks for companies without proper IT governance.
Business sensors
Whether affixed to warehouses or attached to the walls of retail outlets, the humble sensor is tailor-made for the Internet of Things. Sensors offer a low-cost way for companies to glean real-time insights, better manage inventory and combine findings with purchasing history and customer preference to design a compelling experience that bridges the online and offline worlds. Hotel chains and office premises can also deploy infrared sensors that detect body heat so that spaces can be cleaned as soon as customers leave. And hospitals can embrace this technology to enforce safety and laboratory processes such as hand-washing and monitoring temperatures in blood banks.
The challenge: Sensors are a young technology and standards can sometimes be lax. Companies that wish to dive into the market early must take measures to store and protect the huge volumes of data that these devices generate while investing in the tools, infrastructure and talent to get the most out of the information they collect.
From sensor-embedded clothing that spark gains in productivity to open-source platforms wired to expand and contract with your business needs, 2015 belongs to the early adopters who aren’t scared to embrace the tech trends that are sparking industry change.
Find out more about the PWC 2015 Digital IQ Survey here.
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