Next big step in IT will be the ‘fusion’ of technologies

Organisations today are benefiting from an ever-expanding array of digital transformation tools.

It is a double-edged sword though, as the sheer pace of innovation brings new challenges in orchestrating technology, people, and process.

This is one of the key themes explored in CompTIA's annual report "IT Industry Outlook 2019.

When it comes to the aforementioned innovation, CompTIA has predicted a global industry growth of 4 percent, with upside potential of 6.4 percent. Meanwhile, an economic slowdown – fuelled by international trade turmoil – could see the growth drop to a low-end projection of 1.5 percent.

"It's an exciting time as we embark on the next wave of innovation. Technology is more accessible than ever; and there are more opportunities to use technology to build and grow organisations," says CompTIA president and CEO Todd Thibodeaux. "While the potential is great, the challenges and anxieties are great, too. Our mission is to work with the tech community, and the workforce of today and tomorrow, to turn the possibilities of innovation into the realities of real-word benefits for the users of technology."

Among potential driving factors brought up by surveyed executives in CompTIA's report is their ability to reach new customer segments and successfully selling new business lines and launching new products, particularly in emerging technology areas.

While CompTIA's IT Industry Business Confidence Index is still firmly in positive territory, concerns remain around customer spending weakness and unexpected shocks like a financial crisis, government turmoil, and margin pressure.

CompTIA has put together 12 trends that it expects will shape the tech landscape in 2019, which are as below:

1. Cloud, edge and 5G form the modern economic infrastructure  2. IoT and AI open new possibilities in ambient computing  3. Distributed technology models challenge existing structures  4. Stackable technologies supercharge digitisation efforts  5. Business of emerging technology prompts sales channels reinvention  6. Hyper-personalisation takes customer experience to next level  7. Partnerships bridge gaps in new tech ecosystem  8. Persistent tech-worker shortages fuel new, creative solutions  9. Digital-human models begin to shape the workplace of tomorrow  10. Technology professionals take the lead in anticipating unintended consequences  11. High tech increasingly transforms low tech  12. Global tech hubs put spotlight on the ingredients for innovation

"This year's trends reaffirm the importance of thinking about technology holistically," says CompTIA research and market intelligence senior vice president Tim Herbert.

"While discussions of 'the next big thing have their place, the practical reality for most organisations is the need to understand how technology building blocks spanning infrastructure, applications, data, and as-a-service models fit together."