As we look ahead to 2021 (and continue to navigate through a global pandemic), organizations of any size are faced with two major challenges: data protection and cyber security. Modern data and analytics have steadily become the ‘gold’ in the era of continuous technological innovation.

According to a recent report from the Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG), approximately 68% of organizations use data stored on a secondary server for more than just recovery. A recent survey conducted by the Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) asked C-level IT professionals what their top data protection concerns were. 

With December upon us, businessess are continuing to plan for next year amid an unfamiliar reality that 2020 has brought on. in our prevous post we talked about the importance and financial benefit that managed services providers (MSP) can bring to organizations large and small. So if you're at the point where you've taken the leap and decided to partner with an MSP - where do you start? 
 

2020 has undoubtedly been a year we won’t soon forget. From an IT perspective, it has been a year of significant digital transformation. The very core of how many businesses function has taken a dramatic shift. Many organizations have had to scale back on their resources and are struggling to efficiently operate while on a tight budget with stretched and over-worked staff.

As we inch closer to the end of 2020, we must take a moment to step back and reflect on the roller coaster of a year we have had. Disruption has been at the forefront of 2020 forcing businesses to quickly pivot and adapt to new and unfamiliar forms of normalcy. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic will not miraculous disappear once the clock strikes midnight on January 1st 2021. This new reality - this digital transformation - is for the long haul.

Let’s face it: we live in a digitally-driven world where we are constantly surrounded by increasing cyber security vulnerabilities and hackers waiting in the wings to make their next move.

Now that we’re a month into the new year, it’s time to take a look at the top technology trends most likely to disrupt business in 2019 and beyond. Some of these trends are a continuation of what we experienced in 2018, while others are exciting new developments. Here are our top five:

As technology continues to evolve and with the integration of AI frameworks, the complexity of managing a businesses’ IT infrastructure has significantly increased. Facing this reality, one of the biggest challenges many businesses face is the proper management of their IT environment to ensure smooth and seamless operations.

Artificial intelligence is all around us.

Not so long ago, artificial intelligence (AI) existed only in the world of science fiction - but today, AI pervades our daily lives – whether we’re aware of it or not.  So much of what we do and the tools we use or dependent on data-driven analytics.

Take these examples:

Have you used a ride-sharing service (like Uber or Lyft) lately? These companies track millions of metrics each day, then employ machine learning (DL) and deep learning (DL) – both subsets of AI – to match drivers with riders, optimize routes, develop safety processes, and much more. 

Laundry time? Some washing machine manufacturers are introducing next-generation models controlled by apps – and those apps use AI to determine the best cycle for the type of clothes you’re washing, and also help with maintenance and troubleshooting to ensure your machine is operating to optimal results. 

In the healthcare space, one organization has trained and taught algorithms to augment the work of radiologists, allowing them to make diagnoses more accurately and efficiently.

It's no secret that AI is taking the technology world by storm. Businesses are becoming more dependent on deeper and speedier insights. The opportunities for advancement that have opened up as a result of AI have allowed businesses to catapult into a whole new level of customer service delivery and overall operational efficiency.

Last year LinkedIn acquired PointDrive - a firm dedicated to developing innovative solutions to further enhance the online customer buying experience. As of recently, PointDrive is now available on LinkedIn.