Looking for a new challenge in the IT industry? Here are my Top 5 technology trends that will help you to identify your next job and to get ahead!

1. Cloud

Regardless of the very valid and important Data Security and Data Privacy discussions, the majority of standard IT-services will be migrated to Cloud-based services very soon. This will mark the “end-of-software” era in terms of traditional software licenses as well as it will present a fundamental change to the business models of System Integrators and Value-Added Resellers. They either need to become Managed Service Providers or will be out of business very soon. All in all, the cloud will drive a huge consolidation process within the whole IT-industry.

2. Mobility

Tablets and Smartphones will continue to oust traditional laptops and other personal computers. The average user will use many different devices and expect to have access to his/her personal data and applications whatever device he/she is currently using. Boundaries between work and private life will continue to obliterate. Nevertheless: Full control and manageability of mobile devices, -apps and services will be a key requirement.

3. Big Data

Data have become a key economical asset already and need to be seen equally important than ground, labour and capital in the past. Analyzing huge amount of user-, device- and position data in real time, will become the competitive advantage for companies who want to gain immediate, actionable insights. With that, agile businesses will be in the position to always present the “next best possible personal offering” to each and every individual or business.

4. Multi-Channel Social Digital User Experiences

Whether you call it “Social CRM” or “Digital User Experience”, businessess will have to keep in mind that the “impatient Customer or Prospect” uses a variety of communication- and information channels, including Social Networks, in order to form and express an opinion. The challenge is to find the right balance between a direct, personalized and relevant multi-channel communication approach, or bothersome stupid re-targeting loops.

5. Exponential Growth of Data Volume

Driven by all of the above, according to EMC and IDC, Global Storage Volume will be at 44 Zetabyte by the year 2020. That’s a number with 21 Zeros (2013: 4,4 Zetabyte). Hence, companies who are leaders in Storage and Storage Management should see sustainable growth rates for quite some time…

… Hang on, 21 Zeros? Hard to imagine, eh? So here it comes again:

44.000.000.000.000.000.000.000