From generative artificial intelligence and superapps, to digital immune systems, zero-trust security systems, and everything in between, the forecasts for how technology is set to impact organisations this year can at the very least be dizzying.
As I've mentioned before, it is easy to get caught in the hype of technology trends and insights from the multitude of research and insight reports. However, unless business leaders look at how each tech trend aligns with and supports their organisation to achieve its objectives, there is little value in exploring it.
Here are my thoughts on three of the biggest technology trends I believe are set to make a tangible impact on businesses in 2023.
3 Technology Trends Set to Impact Businesses in 2023
1. Increased Security Governance & Privacy Requirements
It's not surprising that the increase of cyber attacks on Australian businesses (and their consequences) is driving scrutiny on governance and privacy requirements, as cyber security continues to move from the IT department to boardroom table discussions.
From governance frameworks such as ISO 27001 and the Essential Eight, to compliance and privacy requirements such as the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act, one 'trend' that is set to impact all organisations in 2023 is an increased push across all industries to strengthen, and be held accountable for, security and data protection practices.
This year we have supported customers through their accreditation journeys to ensure they are meeting governance and security measures now stipulated as a baseline requirement within their industries. All organisations should be aware of legislative changes and increased government initiatives that may soon apply to them.
If increasing your approach to data protection and privacy requirements isn't already on the top of your organisation's to-do list for 2023, here's your reminder to put it up there.
2. The Call For Sustainable Technology
A recent Gartner survey identified that for the first time in its history, CEOs had placed environmental sustainability in their Top 10 strategic business priorities, after profit and revenue.
Today, consumers, employees, and business leaders alike are looking to sustainable manufacturing and low environmental impact products that align with their values when making purchasing decisions.
Conversations with customers this year have also supported these findings, with more organisations seeking out sustainable technology and environmentally responsible end-of-life practices.
We're also seeing a regulatory crackdown on what is known as 'greenwashing" from Australian companies, with an estimated 40% of all Australian companies who currently promote their environmental commitment to be fraudulent.
In 2023, the ACCC is planning to lay down guidelines so that companies only make statements about their products that are “clear, defined, limited in their claims, and always have strong verification materials”, with claims needing to be backed by “scientific and rigorous processes”.
While this is one tech trend that is set to benefit us all in the long term, the time for organisations to be looking, introspectively or within their partner ecosystem, at their technology and product offerings in line with sustainability practices is now.
3. The move towards Industry Cloud Platforms
Industry cloud platforms offer a combination of software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS) and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) to provide industry-specific capabilities to support specific industry business use cases.
Labelled as an 'emerging trend', industry cloud platforms create value for businesses by offering 'adaptable and relevant' industry solutions, by bringing together traditionally separately purchased cloud services into a single platform.
Global media and analysis organisation, Silicon Angle, helps us understand the complexity of industry cloud platforms with the below real-world example...
Driven by the challenges presented by the pandemic, and the need for agility to overcome these challenges, the healthcare industry is noted as a 'front runner' in adopting industry cloud platforms.
To demonstrate potential impact, an industry cloud platform for healthcare can combine:
- What's known as a 'data fabric' which provides connectors and industry-relevant models to free siloed data from operational systems.
- A library of Packaged Business Capabilities (PBC's) that can be used to create new digital experiences and composed applications, such as a tool to extract knowledge from clinical notes or an AI-powered conversational interface for patients.
- Composition tools to build tailored digital experiences that meet clinical or operational workflow needs across a broad range of stakeholders.
From this example alone, you can see that the move towards industry clouds will have a lasting impact on cloud customers, blurring the lines between established SaaS, PaaS and IaaS cloud services.
By 2027, Gartner predicts that more than 50% of enterprises will use industry cloud platforms to accelerate their business initiatives. We will certainly be watching this trend closely.
How Diamond IT can support your Technology Strategy in 2023
Technology in 2023 is set to bring a range of new opportunities (and challenges) to organisations, and the focus for business leaders will again be balancing investment with operational needs and risk.
The Diamond IT team are leaders in helping organisations leverage new and existing technology to support their business objectives, people and performance.
Our extensive knowledge of industry verticals, technology trends, and current and emerging threats allows us to develop a true understanding of your business, in order to support you through digital transformation, security and governance projects. We partner with our customers to ensure that their technology environment is customised to their needs, and aligned to business requirements.
For more information about how the Diamond IT team can support your organisation's technology roadmap in 2023, contact our team today, 1300 907 307.
