Ongoing and Future IT Resources - Essay Example

Current, on-going and future IT resources In the current world, information technology seems to be the major thing currently running the show. With increase in advancement and invention of various technological systems, firms have opted to changing into them as they have proved to be economical and beneficial to the company in the long run. In the year, 2013, there was a sudden demand in informational technology resources due to increase in technological know-how of human beings. Many people have become aware and started appreciating the role of information technology at their fingertips (Croft). In 2013 for instance, there was a huge demand by the young generation of people in purchasing electronic gadgets likes tablets, i-phones, internet enabled phones, computers, among others, just for the sole purpose of being able to access the web. There has been growing interest among youths to have any information technology device that can enable them access the internet and be on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram among others (Croft). As the world is becoming a global village, people sort out any means that would connect them, creating the increased demand and short supply in IT resources. People have come to appreciate the importance of information technology in their lives currently. In looking at some of the trends which companies need to have in order to remain relevant in the near future, include something like diversification to mobile platforms (Wang 13). Companies are shifting their marketing strategies and building mobile friendly websites and applications for their consumers. According to a survey conducted in 2013, the number of mobile users had increased. It was found out that many people used their mobile phones to access their internet and do most of their stuff their when compared to desktop devices. In a way not to lose potential clients, most companies opted to introduce mobile friendly websites and applications which their clients can relate to easily (Wang 233). Another trend currently gaining popularity is people fancying to get internet everywhere in every device that they have. For instance, in 2014, there was a rapid emergence of sensors which were internet-connected, hence making computers being able to process devices and physical systems (Croft). This trend is what is being called “Internet of Things” and has already made steps in transforming TVs, personal healthcare devices, appliances, cars, and thermostats (Wang 23). From my opinion, I believe quite a number of goods will become connected to the internet as well. Due to the increase in demand of the “Internet of Things”, companies which had traditional markets have started adopting this new technology in their process. For example, manufacturing companies are nowadays producing goods already attached to it hence streamlining their operations (Wang 65). Another trend which is gaining popularity with time is the concept of e-government. Governments are realizing the need to interact with business from an online perspective and trying to get rid of the physical approach with business (Croft). Governments are currently trying to revolutionize their processes from manual to electronic in order to ease on congestion in their offices and improve on their efficiency of delivering services to the people. Take for instance the issue of tax returns through online means, quite a number of countries have been able to adopt such form of practice and hence been able to collect maximum taxes with minimum congestion at their offices (Park 90). Governments have opted to become IT leaders. Government agencies for example have moved to accept concepts of open innovation, open systems, open software in their information technology sector. This openness is what has led to creation of new and efficient means of carrying out various processes in the government (Park 89). Another technology expected to take toll in the near future is the concept of 3D printing. Businesses have started to adopt this new technology and incorporating them in their systems as it seems to be a game changer and seems to be something which most businesses are to have (Du 76). It is estimated worldwide shipment of the printers will grow by more than 50% in 2015 (Park 67). As more businesses become aware of the value of 3D printing, so does its demand to have it. Companies have realized the need to have 3D printing that is real, cost-effective and viable in order to cut down on costs involved in making designs (Croft). Another trend which is going to take toll in the near future is the transfer of big data fast. In the past, the transfer of big data had always been an issue as it took quite some time to transform it into meaningful information (Park 47). Nowadays, as businesses have changed their operation to real time, implies that the need to transfer large forms of information fast will be required. It was discovered that businesses that transferred data quickly had an upper hand in making quick business decisions. In analyzing these data within the shortest time possible, implies that a given firm can be able to have insight into real time business events. In addition, it will also enable customers and employees to make decisions faster hence contributing to business success. Cloud storage and cloud-computing is another trend being seen taken by many businesses. Companies that have large forms of information stored in hard drives are finding it better to store them in cloud services and minimize on physical storage of information as it saves on time and space (Croft). In addition, data store in clouds can be retrieved easily at the click of a button and is more secure. Firms are trying to move from the days when information could be lost through computers crashing or being eaten by viruses. Moreover, employees and customers being able to access massive information in regard to a given company at their fingertips has enabled another trend to take toll; “bring your own technology’. Nowadays, companies are granting employee’s permission to have their own apps and tools that can enable them make informed and better decisions (Pour 89). The use of social networks as marketing tools by Information technology firms has been trending for a while. Most companies have turned to social media to meet new clients, and be in touch with the changing technology (Pour 55). Social media channels like Facebook, Twitter, You tube have gained popularity over the years and it seems to be the place where most people are spending their time while in the internet. In businesses realizing this situation, have opted to take advantage of the waiting client base through taking their marketing interaction to social media sites. In conclusion, the information technology sector has been experiencing a shortage of personal in the fields which are training and intensive training is required if they are going to meet the rising demand in some of the trending information technology tools (Pour 45). All in all, companies and businesses require to upgrade to the trending information technology devices so as to be relevant and increase on their client base in the near future. Works Cited Croft, D. (2014, August 5). Top Technology Trends for 2014. Retrieved November 30, 2014, from Computer.org: http://www.computer.org/portal/web/membership/Top-10-Tech-Trends-in-2014 Du, Z. (2014). Management Innovation and Information Technology. Hong Kong: Wit Press. Park, J. (2014). Future Information Technology: FutureTech 2014. New York: Springer. Pour, M. (2014). Contemporary Advancements in Information Technology Development in Dynamic Environments. New York: Wiley & Sons. Wang, Y. (2014). Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. Hong Kong: Wit Publishers. Read More