Rick Delgado

The way businesses operate has certainly changed with the rise of new technology flooding the workplace. Perhaps one of the most significant developments in the past few years has been the increased use of personal devices in the office. As smartphones and tablets have become more affordable and their capabilities have multiplied, more workers are bringing their own devices to help them with their jobs. According to one recent survey from Webroot, employees at more than 60% of companies use their own devices at work.

Predicting future changes in the world of technology can be a tricky endeavour. New products and innovations are revealed so rapidly that even experts may be caught unprepared. Even so, that doesn't mean looking into the future is without merit as it helps businesses and industries plan ahead. One of the most important aspects of any organization’s operations is the use of storage, particularly as more of the world becomes driven by data. Current ways of tackling storage challenges are already proving inadequate, necessitating new technologies and strategies for companies both large and small.

With Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs likely here to stay, companies are trying to find ways to reap the most benefits while downplaying the drawbacks. While it’s true that BYOD policies can lead to increased productivity, more employee satisfaction, and greater collaboration among workers, some significant issues have arisen in recent years. At the forefront is the concern over having a BYOD security plan, and since under a BYOD policy employees would be using their own personal devices to access company networks and data, business leaders are finding it an issue they need to address quickly.

When it comes to tools that can help businesses reach out to more and more people, customer relationship management (CRM) systems are some of the most important currently being used. In a nutshell, CRM systems help companies keep track of customer information, with automation and organization of data being crucial elements of the software. As technology has evolved, so have CRM systems. Every year brings about new advances, and businesses have needed to adapt to keep up with all the changes. Predicting what’s to come can help organizations prepare in advance. As companies look to the future, they’ll notice several trends that they can be ready for well ahead of the rest of the pack.

It may come as a bit of a shock, but many people simply don’t have security on their minds. With all the stories concerning major security breaches of large corporations like Target and Home Depot, businesses are definitely paying attention, but many private individuals don’t look at data security as a top priority. Even some smaller companies, while focusing on security for sensitive information, may unwittingly engage in practices putting that data at risk. One particular point of emphasis is the WiFi network.

While the overall job market may still be struggling, for those in the field of big data, the opportunities are plentiful. We’re currently in the middle of a big data boom, where companies of all shapes and sizes are finding ways to use big data to grow and be more successful than ever before. Businesses are in the hunt for people that possess the right skills for big data jobs that have been rapidly emerging in recent years. Higher education is also responding, instituting programs and new degrees to keep up with the demand. In a field that is still ripe with innovation, changes are expected to happen on a fairly regular basis.

Companies have plenty of reasons to make bring your own device (BYOD) policies a part of their businesses. One of the main attractions, and a primary reason for adopting BYOD in the first place, is how using a personal device makes employees more productive both in the workplace and at home. Another consequence of using BYOD is that employees are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs. But with these benefits also comes the concern over BYOD cost. BYOD’s most vocal proponents say the policy ends up saving businesses money in the long run, but its critics maintain that bring your own device is ultimately costly.

In a world where security threats seem to rise up every day, protecting vital business data is more important than ever before. Stories of large corporations suffering from security breaches seem to be a common sight in the headlines now. It’s something every company wishes to avoid, but finding ways to fight present and future attackers has proven challenging to say the least. For any business just starting out, in addition to providing quality products and excellent service, establishing effective network security is a must. Without it, the chances of losing customer data increases dramatically.

Who doesn’t like the idea of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) for business? Having employees use their own personal devices for work sounds like a great idea. For one thing, they’ll be more productive as they are already familiar with their devices. They’ll also be more satisfied with their work since they won’t have to struggle with learning how to operate a new smartphone or tablet. Plus, companies can save on costs since they won’t need to buy devices for their employees. So what’s the downside? For many business leaders, the chief concern no matter the BYOD policies enacted is that of security.

When it comes to technology in the workplace, businesses have always placed efficiency as a top priority. Because nearly all transactions, record keeping, communication and other functions are conducted on computers, speed and safety are essential. In recent years a trend has developed that many companies are finding helps employees conduct their work in a much more efficient way. This trend is called “Bring Your Own Device” or BOYD. Companies who implement this system allow employees to supply their own mobile devices, laptops and tablets in the workplace.