Key Trends, Market Overview, & Industry Insights from 2024

Key Trends

Run Your Business from Anywhere with Unmatched Convenience and Flexibility.?

Hybrid work is the new normal. When offices closed and sent employees home to work during the pandemic, the reality set in that we can do most of our jobs from home. Microsoft 365 and Azure Virtual Desktops support your remote and hybrid work environments to help attract and retain talent from anywhere, all while maintaining productivity. The biggest attraction is saving money on the resources needed, all while staying productive.

Eliminating Passwords to Enhance Security and User Experience.?

Passwords are easily guessed, stolen, reused, and compromised. FIDO2 hardware keys and passkeys are two forms of multi-factor authentication (MFA) to enable passwordless sign-in to Windows devices and Microsoft accounts. FIDO2 consists of two main components: the Web Authentication (WebAuthn) API and the Client to Authenticator Protocol (CTAP). Users and organizations can benefit from a more secure and convenient authentication process. Learn more here.

Outsourced vs. In-House IT.

Small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) typically see 40% savings by outsourcing IT. Key drivers of savings comes from lower staffing costs, infrastructure savings, scalability and flexibility, reduced downtime and errors, and avoiding hidden costs. This is significant when it comes to executive level support and guidance. Virtual CIO services are complimentary to internal IT teams with the access to a seasoned IT professionals.

Market Overview

Data Quality and AI Success.

A recent report highlights that 97% of IT decision-makers emphasize the critical importance of data quality for AI success. This trend underscores the growing need for custom data solutions to train AI models accurately. SMBs can benefit from these partnerships by accessing specialized data and expertise that might otherwise be out of reach with OpenAI models.

Technical Debt: Identify, Resolve, and Move On.

Technical debt refers to the sunken cost incurred when a company invests in the wrong technology solutions. These shortcuts might involve using quick fixes, outdated technologies, or taking bad advice at the time. While these decisions can expedite results in the short term, they often lead to more complex and costly issues down the line, such as increased maintenance, reduced scalability, and hindered innovation. Addressing technical debt requires a strategic approach, balancing the need for rapid progress with the importance of high-quality solutions led by a trusted partner.

Deferring the Allocation of Budget for Cybersecurity Initiatives to “Next Year” is No Longer a Viable Strategy.

You may feel a bit overwhelmed each time a data breach makes the headlines again. If your organization has never allocated any effort or funds to cybersecurity, it’s time to be proactive. The good news is that making the choice to fortify your organization against potential threats is much easier and cost-effective than being reactive after a cyber incident. Continually postponing this necessary financial commitment could leave the organization vulnerable to attacks, potentially leading to severe consequences. We will guide you through the essentials of effectively creating your cybersecurity budget and prioritizing for the long-term. Learn more here.

Industry Oversights

Navigating Regulatory Compliance.?

The challenge of navigating increasingly complex compliance regulations grows. Laws like GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA require organizations to protect sensitive data and maintain transparency. Failure to comply risks financial penalties, reputational damage, and loss of customer trust. Secure cloud solutions empower a business to navigate the complexities of modern compliance with confidence. Learn more here.

Enhanced Cybersecurity Measures.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, so do the strategies to combat them. In 2025, expect to see a significant shift towards zero-trust architectures, increased use of automated security protocols, and more sophisticated endpoint protection solutions.

Expansion of 5G and Improved Connectivity.

The rollout of 5G networks is set to broaden, enabling businesses to adopt new technologies that were previously limited by slower network speeds. We now have options to look outside of the traditional internet service provider monopoly. These options offer faster speeds, lower latency, and greater capacity with the best available infrastructure.