5 Technologies that Will Shape 2014

Big changes are happening in the world of technology, and it's important that your business stays on top of these changes in order to stay competitive. By taking advantage of the latest trends, you will be provided with solutions designed to maximize profits. Here are five of the latest trends you need to watch for in 2014.

Data Analytics
It's been said that, "Data drives business." This is proving to be the case as more and more companies are compiling data from several different sources and crunching the numbers to make accurate business decisions. This demand for more data has led to sentiment and influence data analytics being applied so that companies can discover actual reach and intent. Increased data analytics will also produce a rise in customer relationship management solutions. These trends in data analytics are sure to continue to skyrocket in 2014.

The Importance of Digital Marketing
If a business wants to reach new customers and new markets, then it's vital that attention is given to web presence. Having an SEO-friendly website along with a social media strategy is what's driving marketing today. Maybe ten years ago a business could look at a website as a give-or-take option, but it's now the primary way the world does business, and if you're not taking full advantage of digital marketing in 2014, then your competition will.

The Cloud
Cloud computing was one of the hottest technology trends of 2013, and this trend will continue to grow in 2014. The cloud allows for businesses to store their data such as projects and business applications to an offsite data center. The cloud offers organizations increased security and the ability to access their information from anywhere. As the cloud grows in popularity, it becomes even more affordable. A reduced price point will give even more businesses access to cloud technology, which will fuel the need for software developers to create more applications. Look for 2014 to be a very cloudy year!

Wearable Technology
In 2014, the sight of people walking around with advanced technology accessorizing their bodies will become more common. You are already seeing it with smart watches that interact with smartphones, and this will become even more prevalent in 2014 when Google releases its wearable product "Glass." Wearable tech is a fun trend that you can take advantage of to increase personal productivity, and it also presents businesses with new and exciting marketing opportunities that will be developed and expanded upon in the upcoming year.

The Collection of Your Personal Data
Data collection is one of the fastest growing technology industries as personal information is collected, processed, and analyzed from even more sources. The proliferation of new smart devices like wearable tech will no doubt aide in creating more data to be collected pertaining to what you buy, what websites you browse, the places you visit, and much more. In 2014, you will see new ways that businesses will take advantage of this data to improve delivery systems. For example, Amazon is developing drones that will deliver packages directly to your home, and eBay is developing ways to deliver products to your location using the GPS on your smartphone to find you.

2014 looks to be another exciting year for technology! We don't know exactly what the upcoming year will hold, but we do know that your business can prosper in 2014 if you take advantage of these trends. Don't be intimidated by all the big trends, Preferred can help you understand and take advantage of the latest solutions in order to grow your business. Contact us at 708-781-7110 to learn more about how technology can help your company succeed in the new year.