Top 10 IT Predictions for 2017

I don’t usually have much time for predictions, but these ones are quite tidy – and of all the analyst houses, Gartner are one of the most credible. Well worth a read…

The following are the top 10 predictions from Gartner for IT organizations in 2017 and beyond:

1. By 2020, 100 million consumers will shop in augmented reality – Gartner predicts that by the end of 2017, one in five leading global retail brands, or 20%, will be using augmented reality (AR) as an integral technology supporting the shopping experience. The potential to significantly improve upsell and cross-sell rates are evident, as is the opportunity to provide customers with the option of trying on clothing or sampling makeup virtually before buying.
2. By 2020, 30 percent of web browsing sessions will be done without a screen – Key technologies driving this trend include Apple’s AirPods, Google Home, and Amazon’s Echo. By enabling entirely new approaches to creating voice-driven apps, these devices and future ones like them will alleviate the need for screens to complete searches. It’s feasible that voice-first applications will emerge along with search engine optimization (SEO) based technologies to gain greater marketing value from voice-first app design and development. Gartner predicts that room-based screenless devices such as Amazon Echo and Google Home will be in more than 10M homes.
3. By 2019, 20 percent of brands will abandon their mobile apps – Many Gartner clients are asking for guidance if they need an app, and if they have one, is it worth continuing to invite it. Many companies are debating the role of their mobile apps versus their mobile websites. Compounding this issue is the high costs of maintaining a mobile app and the uncertain return. Gartner predicts that by the end of 2017, the number of branded applications realizing growth in average monthly usage will decline from year-end 2016 and the decline will continue in subsequent years.
4. By 2020, algorithms will positively alter the behavior of more than 1 billion global workers global workers – Pokemon Go shows how powerful algorithms can be in modifying people’s behavior on a global scale quickly using gamification. The implications of algorithms to change selling behavior are significant as can be seen from IBM Watson and Salesforce Einstein. Gartner predicts that by the end of 2017, at least one commercial organization will report significant increases in profit margins because it used algorithms to alter its employees’ behaviors positively.
5. By 2022, a blockchain-based business will be worth $10 billion – Gartner found that blockchain applications can free up cash, create new forms of value, reduce transaction costs and accelerate business processes. A recent analysis of CrunchBase data shows that blockchain is attracting product and capital investment at a record pace, indicating startups are just launching into this area of the market today. Gartner predicts that through 2017, multimode blockchains and distributed ledger POCs will be deployed across industries and government agencies. It’s encouraging to see Gartner predict that by2020, new businesses and business models will emerge, based on smart contracts and blockchain efficiencies.
6. By 2021, 20 percent of all activities an individual engages in will involve at least one the top-seven digital giants – Gartner defines the current top-seven digital giants by market capitalization are Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent. The implications of these seven giants on the adoption of IoT are clear. Gartner predicts that by 2018, more than 10B sensor-based devices will be connected in the combined consumer and business worlds based on the platforms from these digital giants. By 2020, 20% of homes will be connected homes containing more than 25 things accessing the internet and 85% of users’ connected home solutions will be linked to a certified ecosystem.
7. Through 2019, every $1 enterprises invest in innovation will require an additional $7 in core execution – Gartner predicts that by 2018, IT service providers’ modernization engagements to support digital innovation deployments will increase by at least 30% over 2016 spending levels.
8. Through 2020, IoT will increase data center storage demand by less than 3 percent - According to the predictions study there will be massive potential for data generation in 2020, with 21B IoT endpoints estimated to be in use; however, only a fraction of this data will be retained and stored. Gartner is predicting the cumulative IoT data stored in 2020 will come from consumer and business applications.
9. By 2022, IoT will save consumers and businesses $1 trillion a year in maintenance, services, and consumables – Preventative maintenance is a significant global revenue opportunity for any manufacturer and when combined with IoT, the potential to create highly profitable new business models becomes achievable. Gartner sees potential for future revenue growth in this area from the emerging use cases demonstrating the use of IoT to drive predictive maintenance and the reporting of improved efficiency based on IoT implementations by 2018.
10. By 2020, 40 percent of employees can cut their healthcare costs by wearing a fitness tracker –Gamifying fitness to help employees lead longer lives while driving down healthcare costs is going to accelerate the adoption of fitness tracker technologies. Gartner predicts that by 2017, 70% of multinational corporations will sponsor the use of wearable fitness tracking devices. Gartner also predicts that by 2018, 28% of workers at companies in the U.S. with more than 100 employees and access to wellness programs will drive 15% of total fitness tracker purchases