Picture credit: iStock

In this digital-first era, digital transformation has become a matter of do or die for businesses. This was highlighted in 2020 through the need for quick digital transformation in the face of many brick and mortar closures due to safety measures taken to combat the pandemic. It seems the need for quick digital changes will intensify in 2021 due to the continuation of rapidly evolving trends in consumer shopping and spending habits. Businesses will need to adapt to overcome these challenging trends.

Last year, many firms recognized the importance of digital transformation to sustain themselves through the changing market landscape and adopted newer technologies, such as cloud computing, data analytics, and artificial intelligence, in order to stay ahead of the competition.

Although the future is still uncertain for 2021, the progressive change will be constant. The businesses that can anticipate and embrace change will be the ones most prepared for whatever comes next. Let’s take a look at some potential trends in digital transformation that could shape businesses’ success in 2021.

1. 5G Technology:

   As remote work culture expands, video conferencing and digital collaboration have become a necessity. Fast connectivity with superior bandwidth will become a higher priority hence, opening the doors for 5G.

2. Hybrid Cloud:

   It is a solution that blends one or more public cloud providers with a private cloud, with proprietary functionality that allows for connectivity between each separate service. COVID-19 has caused huge disruptions in the industry, which highlighted the importance of having Agile cloud infrastructure in place for more adaptability, ideal speed, remarkable control, and improved security. It will also help in balancing the cost, efficiency, security, enforcement, and standards for governance.

3. Predictive Analytics:

   Understanding the growth patterns and buyer behavior is probably going to be most influenced by predictive analytics.

4. Hybrid Business Model:

   Organizations are going to be ready to utilize cloud computing resources and work jointly to achieve their organization's goals.

5. XaaS Model:

   In response to the emerging demands and needs of the customers, businesses have started delivering more services via the “anything-as-a-service” model, a concept derived from cloud computing that includes the broad categories of services and applications related to remote technology. The Internet of things and AI will play an important role in amplifying this model for businesses while infusing analytics into their offerings.

6. Cybersecurity:

   In order to cope with and resolve the challenges that arose in 2020, businesses should increase their efforts to make their goods, services, data, and information more secure.

7. User and Data Privacy:

   Securing the privacy and confidentiality of data is of utmost importance as the world becomes increasingly interlinked.

8. Omnichannel Retailing and Customized Shopping Experience:

   Through omnichannel retailing, a personalized shopping experience is an obvious trend, yet elusive to execute in our highly complex and fragmented personal environment.  Leveraging real-time data and integrated data and digital infrastructures, companies have the best chance of providing their customers with a seamless, personalized, and secure shopping experience.

9. Automation:

   It has been a key solution for the organizations for combating pandemic-related challenges and it seems like it will continue to be a differentiating factor as contactless and touchless mechanisms of employee and consumer interaction will be adopted more and will gain further acceptance in 2021. The need for the application of automation technology in areas that involve human-to-human interaction that can refine the overall experience of customers is expected to rise. 

For the tech industry, 2021 promises to be a big year. We hope these technology solutions will be a part of your strategy to execute your digital transformation initiatives and achieve your goals. Nisum builds applications that help you serve your customers better and faster. Organizations of all industries and sizes recognize that their application portfolios are a key driver in achieving and maintaining a competitive advantage.

Our industry-leading practices, processes, and tools allow us to be highly efficient and consistently deliver quality technology, keeping you on the cutting-edge and ensuring your time to market is optimized. 

Let Nisum's track record with industry-leading brands support your company as they embark on digital transformation. To learn more about our services, and how we can support your digital transformation initiatives, contact us.