The information technology (IT) department, commonly referred to as the IT wing, is the backbone of any successful modern business. As technology rapidly evolves, so do the tools and solutions leveraged by IT teams to drive innovation, enhance productivity, and deliver value. This article will explore the key developments in IT wing technologies powering business growth today.
The Rise of Cloud Computing
One of the most monumental shifts in recent years has been the mass adoption of cloud computing. The cloud allows businesses to access computing services, storage, databases, and more via the internet rather than having to build and maintain expensive on-premises IT infrastructure. Some major benefits of the cloud include:
- Cost savings – Pay only for what you use rather than investing heavily upfront in hardware and data centers. The cloud utilizes a subscription-based pricing model.
- Agility and scalability – Cloud resources can be provisioned and scaled on-demand to align with changing business needs.
- Global availability – Cloud platforms utilize data centers around the world to deliver high availability. If one region goes down, others provide redundancy.
According to RightScale’s 2019 State of the Cloud report, 94% of enterprises now use the public cloud while 72% leverage a hybrid model combining public cloud and private cloud or on-premises resources. Leading providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) continue expanding their global infrastructure to meet demand. Many organizations are also embracing private clouds for greater control and security.
The Mobile and Bring Your Device (BYOD) Revolutions
Just over a decade ago, business computing was dominated by desktop PCs. Fast forward to today, and employees ubiquitously leverage mobile devices like smartphones and tablets along with laptops. The bring-your-own-device (BYOD) trend has further fueled mobile device proliferation in the workplace.
IT wings have had to rapidly adapt to enable secure access to corporate networks, data, and apps from any device. Some key technologies powering the mobile landscape include:
- Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) – UEM tools like VMware Workspace ONE allow IT to deploy profiles, apps, and policies across devices.
- Mobile Device Management (MDM) – MDM provides deep management capabilities specifically for mobile devices.
- Mobile Application Management (MAM) – MAM enables secure access controls for specific business apps.
According to TechRepublic, mobile workers are expected to represent 72.3% of the total workforce by 2023. Enabling productivity on the go is imperative.
The Internet of Things (IoT) Ushers in New Connected Devices
The Internet of Things (IoT) revolution is powering the emergence of smart connected devices across homes, factories, cities, vehicles, and more. Gartner forecasts that there will be 25 billion connected IoT devices by 2021.
For IT wings, this influx of diverse devices with different protocols and data formats presents management and security challenges. Modern IoT platforms help IT onboard, configure, manage, and monitor IoT devices. Leading options like AWS IoT Core, Microsoft Azure IoT Hub, and Google Cloud IoT Core integrate natively with their cloud ecosystems.
Key benefits IoT delivers for businesses include:
- Operational efficiencies – IoT sensors enable the tracking of products, equipment, and assets in real time. Gathering condition data aids preventative maintenance.
- Enhanced customer experiences – IoT allows businesses to customize interactions based on contextual data from connected devices.
- New revenue models – IoT opens opportunities to generate revenue from new value-added services. With granular device insights, partners can be billed based on actual usage.
Automation Initiatives Enhance Efficiency
IT wings are leveraging automation technologies to reduce costs and free up staff for strategic initiatives. Some popular approaches include:
Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
RPA tools use software bots to emulate human actions. This streamlines repetitive, rules-based tasks like transferring data between systems. RPA adoption is skyrocketing – Gartner forecasts RPA software revenue will reach $1.89 billion in 2022.
AI-Driven IT Operations (AIOps)
AIOps applies artificial intelligence algorithms to IT systems data. This proactively pinpoints and troubleshoots anomalies. The AIOps platform market is projected to reach $14.3 billion by 2027 per MarketsandMarkets.
Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
IaC tools like Terraform and Ansible enable IT teams to manage infrastructure through machine-readable definition files rather than manual processes. This facilitates faster provisioning and configuration with fewer errors.
The Proliferation of SaaS Applications
Historically, businesses relied on bulky on-premises enterprise software. Today, lightweight cloud-based SaaS (software-as-a-service) apps meet most needs. Employees can access SaaS apps from anywhere without IT involvement.
The SaaS market will grow from $134 billion in 2021 to $397 billion by 2026 forecasts Statista. However, IT wings struggle with SaaS sprawl. On average, companies use 110 SaaS apps according to Blissfully. IT needs visibility and access controls for sanctioned apps. Single sign-on (SSO) and identity management systems like Okta help address these challenges.
Powerful Productivity Suites Improve Collaboration
The shift to remote and hybrid work during the pandemic placed greater emphasis on digital collaboration. Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are robust productivity platforms integrating essential capabilities:
- Cloud file storage – Access files across devices while easily sharing with internal and external collaborators.
- Instant messaging – Chat, video conference, and collaborate in real-time.
- Email – Send and receive email while integrating with calendars for scheduling.
- Document editing – Create professional documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more.
- Custom apps – Build no/low code business apps to meet specific workflow needs.
By consolidating onto a unified platform, communication and teamwork are streamlined. Employees can work productively from anywhere.
Cutting-Edge Emerging Technologies
While the technologies discussed above are transforming IT operations currently, looking ahead, bleeding-edge innovations will shape the future. Some to have on the radar include:
Advanced Analytics and Big Data
Sophisticated analytics applied to massive datasets support improved decision-making. Machine learning algorithms uncover hidden insights.
Extended Reality (XR)
XR encompasses virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). Immersive XR technologies are finding new applications.
Blockchain
The blockchain distributed ledger architecture behind cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin enables transparency and decentralization. Blockchain has broad disruptive potential across industries.
Quantum Computing
Quantum leverages subatomic particles to provide exponential leaps in computing power for specialized workloads like cryptography.
Keeping pace with the rapid rate of technology change is imperative for modern IT wings. Cloud computing, mobility, IoT, automation, SaaS apps, collaboration platforms, and emerging innovations all play key roles in digital transformation. IT leaders must stay abreast of advancements to build future-ready tech stacks. With the right adoption strategy, businesses can outpace competitors. Technology ultimately serves as a powerful multiplier – but only if leveraged astutely.
Those on the IT wing must proactively assess how leading-edge solutions can be securely integrated to uplift all facets of operations. With technology accelerating faster than ever, the IT status quo quickly becomes obsolete. However, by embracing change as an enabler rather than an obstacle, IT wings can chart an organization’s course to new heights. The future has never been more promising for tech-savvy enterprises positioned to capitalize.
The Critical Role of Cybersecurity
With businesses more dependent than ever on technology, cybersecurity has become imperative. IT wings are on the frontlines safeguarding against sophisticated cyber threats aiming to disrupt operations, steal data, and harm reputations.
Some key focus areas for boosting security include:
Cloud and Infrastructure Security
The cloud offers many benefits but also surfaces new risks. Multi-cloud and hybrid environments create complexity. Core measures like encryption, role-based access controls, vulnerability management, and third-party audits ensure environments are secured.
Network Security
Networks must be fortified to prevent intrusions. Firewalls, intrusion detection systems, URL/web filtering, and tools like cloud access security brokers (CASBs) help safeguard against attacks. Software-defined networking and micro-segmentation optimize network security.
Endpoint Security
With employees accessing corporate resources from personal devices, endpoint security is crucial. Anti-malware, mobile threat defense, and UEM tools harden endpoints. Integrating endpoints into overall security systems improves threat visibility.
Identity and Access Management
Managing user identities and controlling access is foundational for security. Single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, privileged access management, and identity governance solutions enhance access controls.
Security Operations and Incident Response
Around-the-clock security monitoring quickly surfaces anomalies for investigation. Security orchestration tools automate response workflows to resolve incidents swiftly. Attack simulations prepare teams.
Risk Assessments and Audits
Proactively identifying and mitigating risks is key. Penetration testing simulates attacks to uncover vulnerabilities. Compliance audits validate security controls satisfy legal requirements.
Security Training
With phishing and social engineering thriving, human-focused training is essential. Simulated attacks keep employees vigilant. Promoting security best practices embeds consciousness.
Backup and Disaster Recovery
Should an outage or attack occur, the ability to restore systems and data is crucial. Maintaining isolated backups and testing recovery procedures ensures business continuity.
Optimizing Costs While Driving Agility
Balancing budgets with responsiveness is an endless challenge. Some emerging best practices include:
Hybrid IT
Blending cloud and on-premises resources based on workload needs to optimize spending. Mainframes still have a place for crunching huge datasets while the cloud offers an on-demand scale.
Multi cloud
Using multiple public clouds prevents vendor lock-in. Services can be compared to leverage the best solution for each workload. Multicloud management platforms enable unified visibility and governance.
Open Source
Leveraging open-source software lowers licensing costs. Companies like Red Hat provide enterprise-grade support for open-source solutions.
Software Defined Infrastructure
Abstracting infrastructure as code enhances flexibility. Resources can be dynamically allocated to align with evolving demands.
DevOps
Integrating development and operations teams to collaborate on rapid iterative releases boosts agility. Automation accelerates deployment pipelines.
FinOps
Cloud financial management disciplines reduce waste. Unused resources are de-provisioned while spending is monitored.
Cultivating an IT Culture Focused on Business Value
Historically, there has been a divide between IT and the business units it aims to serve. IT wings now foster a customer-focused culture delivering technology that drives impactful business outcomes.
Embedded Partnership
IT staff embed directly within business units to immerse in challenges and needs. Aligning priorities prevents disengagement.
Measurable ROI
It quantifies how solutions uplift revenue, lower costs, improve experiences, and enable innovation. Technology investments must demonstrably boost the bottom line.
Strategic Planning Involvement
Rather than just fulfilling requests, IT has a seat at the executive table to shape strategy. Technology insights guide decisions company-wide.
Agile Development
It works iteratively in sprints to build solutions grounded in real user feedback versus rigid requirements. Continuous refinement optimizes value.
Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
Defining quantitative SLAs around performance, availability, and response ensures IT delivers excellent service.
Ongoing Training and Certifications
Technical and soft skills training keeps teams aligned with business priorities as technologies evolve. Certifications demonstrate expertise.
Forging Ahead With Future-Facing Technologies
Looking at the roadmap ahead, IT wings keenly focus on emerging technologies with the potential to confer differentiation.
AI and Machine Learning
AI and ML will revolutionize decision automation. Systems continuously improve through data to drive precision and personalization.
Digital Twins
Digital twin simulations of products, assets, and processes enable smarter designs, predictive maintenance, and next-best actions.
Computer Vision
Cameras with computer vision have broad applications from autonomous vehicles to spotting product defects on assembly lines.
Natural Language Processing
NLP facilitates fluid human-computer interaction through voice and text, reducing reliance on screens.
AR/VR
Extended reality tech will unlock more immersive collaboration, training, repair guidance, and visualization.
Additive Manufacturing
3D printing streamlines the production of intricate customized parts without molds and tooling.
Robotics and Drones
Smart collaborative robots and drones augment human efforts increasing safety and efficiency.
5G and Edge Computing
Ultra-high-speed 5G networks and distributed edge computing power new mobile solutions.
Evaluating emerging technologies separates forward-thinking IT wings from static competitors. Turning high-potential innovations into reality requires calculated experimentation beyond the status quo.
