Even though 2020 was a huge surprise in many different ways, it seems like 2021 won’t be any different. That’s why we have to think about the future and our strategies for the upcoming 12 months. For entrepreneurs, digital transformation should probably be at the top of their agenda in 2021, and our main mission as a technology provider is to help them kickstart it. Our main goal is to be their valuable partner and vendor that will deliver web and mobile apps to fulfill their goals.
Digital transformation is crucial for aspiring businesses as our reality is constantly evolving towards online services and possibilities. COVID-19 pandemic added to that by locking us down and limiting our choices. Having an application, a website or other software product means you can reach out to your potential and current clients regardless of their location or habits. People are looking for apps that will solve all their problems.
That is a chance for you to identify your audience’s needs and provide a digital solution that will serve these needs. Get to know the upcoming trends to ensure you launch a successful digital product and thrive in a competitive app market.
Top 10 Digital Transformation Trends for 2021
Digitization should always result in a better customer experience. In the era of technological growth, where we can move so many activities to an online environment, creating a custom but also consistent vibe for users can be challenging but is still achievable. With the help of an experienced IT company, you can build an application that will offer something extraordinary. Try these trends we discuss below and there’s a huge chance your product will become an instant hit.
Artificial intelligence – especially machine learning
Lately, many companies start to invest a lot of time and effort in machine learning services. That’s because they notice a growing demand for ML features in software products. Companies want to offer modern web and mobile apps and using artificial intelligence algorithms is an excellent way to do so as you can process vast sets of data and deliver personalized results.
For example, machine learning (as a subset of AI) can operate chatbots or even voice-based bots that can become virtual customer support agents and do many tasks that normally require large amounts of human workforce. By “hiring” such bots, your business can save a lot of resources and automate time-consuming and repetitive tasks. Not to mention, employee satisfaction will improve as a result of more meaningful and creative work they could be assigned to instead.
Data-driven decision making
Speaking of data, collecting and analyzing data about your clients behaviors and preferences is the key to success. In 2021, we will rely even less on our assumptions and guesses. Instead, we will use numbers and facts to build marketing strategies, create new products, and improve overall user experiences.
Why is it so essential to work with data? Because we can clearly see the evidence of our success or failure. It shows what has been done well and what has to be fixed. And it can help us do it faster and more efficiently to remain on the competitive edge. Our goal is not to wander blindly in search of solutions for our pains, but rather make confident decisions. Well-analyzed data can show you the exact direction you should follow to achieve success.
Accessible internet at full speed
We’ve heard about 5G for months now, but implementation was taking way too long. That was until the coronavirus pandemic outbreak when suddenly we needed high-speed bandwidth for remote work, video calls and file sharing. In a digital world where people can do their job at the office, at home or even at the beach, fast internet connection is necessary.
Right now, hundreds of internet suppliers and device manufacturers are adopting this technology, so their customers can use smartphones and laptops at full speed. Prominent market players like Apple has lately decided to support 5G. Some countries already use it and it’s a matter of time when it goes global.
Home office is now a thing
Before COVID-19 happened, remote work was rather a perk for many of us. But suddenly, most of the employees that only required a computer and internet connection to do their job changed office space for their own living room or bedroom. It wasn’t their decision. And no one knew what would happen exactly. We don’t need to be in a specific place to complete our tasks and be productive. Many companies decided to let their workers choose – home or office?
What does it mean for digital transformation in 2021? Most importantly, there will be a massive demand for organizational and management applications. There are various tools on the market but the demand for this type of apps will grow.
Devices get technologically advanced, but design goes back to basics
Hardware is becoming present in more areas of our lives and its capabilities are impressive. On one hand, NVIDIA and Mercedes decided to install computer systems in cars by the end of 2024. Vehicles we use on a daily basis will become more advanced thanks to technologies. Self-driving, better GPS navigation, complex monitoring to prevent internal faults – you name it.
On the other hand, we have smartphones that can flip like it’s the early 2000s. Models like Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 or the new Motorola Razr are supposed to be hybrid models that blend the small size of a smartphone and capabilities of a bigger device like a tablet. There is no doubt that they will change our way of thinking about mobile devices and mobile app development.
Cloud for business acceleration
Moving operations to cloud services is convenient, not only during a pandemic. Having access to corporate files and management systems despite one’s location can boost productivity and allow business owners to adjust their company’s processes in a more proactive manner. Developing apps using the cloud also has become more popular recently.
The most popular solutions include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. Hybrid clouds that connect on-premises data centers with external cloud services are often picked by enterprises that need to use both and require the highest level of professionalism when streamlining business activities.
Cybersecurity is more crucial than ever
Hackers decided to take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic and during the first half of 2020, the number of cyberattacks grew significantly. They knew that people started to work from home without much preparation as response to the COVID-19 restrictions had to be quick. The result? Work was done in unprotected home networks, which resulted in data thefts and account takeovers.
Creating solutions that offer privacy and encryption should be a priority in 2021. Working remotely doesn’t mean that confidential information is unsafe – all you need to do is provide resources that can improve this safety. Software products like apps and websites should also be secure. Your clients won’t trust you if you risk their personal data.
Quantum computing in common use
Quantum solutions were broadly used when the coronavirus started to spread. The main goal of using them was to control the outbreak and help with vaccine and medication development. The importance of this technology grew significantly and we can expect it will get even more prominent in the upcoming year.
Not a lot of users actually know what the capabilities of quantum computing are. It can analyze any amount of data and take action accordingly – no matter where the data comes from and when. Big tech leaders are already investing in binding traditional computing with quantum.
Evolving e-commerce experience
Business owners in the e-commerce sector admit that in the last two years, the cost of customer acquisition grew significantly. Thus, they should rethink how to increase their ROI. Apparently, “headless tech” is the answer. What does it mean? It’s software that doesn’t need a graphical user interface to work on a device. The front-end layer is separated from the back-end.
Putting a focus on personalized e-commerce experience is the way to go. Instant purchases via social media and using smart speakers when ordering goods are growing trends as in the modern world, customers don’t want to waste time just entering the website, adding products to the cart, and finalizing the transaction. Simplifying the process can be crucial to success.
User interfaces with voice recognition
We mentioned smart speakers, so we have to say it – conversational UIs became a thing in 2020 and this trend will only grow in the next 12 months. Right now, 40% of Google searches are done using voice commands. People are more and more interested in buying voice assistants. The importance of this technology will change our approach to marketing, e-commerce and other areas of the digital environment.
Also, we need to be aware of devices that we will use with our voice like smartphones (obviously), smart furniture, thermostats and cars! They are going to expand in 2021, that’s for sure.
To sum it up
These are the most significant digital transformation trends for 2021 that may change our lives. Of course, the pandemic proved that we are not able to predict everything, so keep these things in mind when building your business growth strategy. Remember to put your customers first. Then, they will always tell you what they need and want. That should be the first factor to consider when developing new software or changing your operations.
Good luck in 2021! Hopefully, you will find all those trends useful. In case you need a reliable IT vendor visit the itCraft website and let us know how we can support you.
