With technology evolving at breakneck speed, it can be difficult for businesses to keep up. Furthermore, there is a constant challenge of deciding which innovations to invest in and which ones to ignore in the meantime. Not to mention that there is always “something big” coming out every year that may or may not provide the best returns.
That said, what are the most recent tech trends that can actually lead to good—if not spectacular—results? Here, we discuss some of the best technologies that businesses can no longer afford to ignore in 2021:
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Voice search
If you ask any SEO company, they’d tell you that voice search is rapidly changing the way that people find information on the web—especially with how much young generations value convenience over pretty much anything else. With the emergence of AI (artificial intelligence) assistants like Apple’s Siri and Amazon Alexa, more and more customers frequently use the voice search feature to find things on the Internet instead of typing on their devices.
However, people use voice search differently from standard search bars because people talk differently when speaking vs. typing. For instance, people are more likely to ask voice AI full questions instead of choosing specific keywords. “Best restaurants near me” on a standard search bar becomes “What are great restaurants in (insert city here)?” when spoken out loud to an AI device. That said, optimizing content for voice search is imperative for businesses to improve their position on voice search results—especially now that more and more modern smartphone brands are coming up with their own voice AI.
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Telecommuting
If there is anything that businesses can learn from the pandemic, it’s the fact that most types of work can be done as productively at home as in the office. In fact, many employees are more productive when working at home because the setup provides them with the type of work-life balance that working on-site cannot.
But for there to be a functional work-from-home set-up to exist, companies must have strong telecommuting technologies in place, such as:
- Work collaboration tools
- Video conferencing tools
- Essential office equipment
- VoIP systems
- Basic computer accessories (phone, headphones, webcam, etc.)
Even with the extra cost that these necessary technologies may impose, it can still offset the overhead expenses that would have otherwise been spent if employees were working in an office. More than that, most employees already have the basic equipment to work from home, which can help reduce companies’ costs on purchasing and maintaining computers, phones, printers, laptops, and other work devices.
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Internet of Behavior (IoB)
Most businesses are already making use of IoT (Internet of Things). Now, it’s time to pay attention to the newest tech trend: The Internet of Behavior (IoB).
The Internet of Behavior refers to the use of relevant data to change or influence people’s behavior. For example, thermal camera sensors are helping to monitor people’s temperature in public, which helps detect sick individuals who may be spreading disease to others. RFID (radio frequency identification) tags are also helping maintain social distancing by tracking people’s proximity to each other.
The applications of IoB go beyond flattening the curve. For instance, auto insurance companies can monitor driver behavior using vehicle monitoring systems to help eliminate bad driving habits and avoid accidents. Facebook and Google also use behavioral data to display advertisements that their users will most likely be interested in. All in all, we can expect IoB to play a significant role in the analysis of customer behavior and the innovation of business processes using behavior-driven data as the technology continues to develop.
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Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is nothing new, but many people believe that AI is something that only larger companies can afford. However, with the continuous development of AI, it has become more accessible than ever to businesses of all sizes.
There are many benefits that businesses can have when using AI, namely:
- Improved decision-making by analyzing data
- More personalized customer experiences
- Better automating
- Reduction of human error
- Better talent management
- Improved efficiency and productivity
- Better business expansion capabilities
- Increased savings
- More powerful data mining capabilities
- Increased revenue due to maximized sales opportunities
- Smarter marketing strategies and solutions
Modern technology is already deeply rooted in many aspects of business. But with new technologies coming out almost every day, knowing what to invest in can be tricky for many companies. This list makes a great guide for businesses of all sizes to determine what kinds of tech they should prioritize—not only for their own gain but for customers’ experience as well.
