That time of the year has arrived. We look back at what 2015 provided and forecast what 2016 will have in store. Movies, iPhones and new sports seasons all bring forth a level of optimism and excitement as the calendar prepares to turn. When it comes to your Baton Rouge area business there is likely planning going on for the new year as well. Goals, opportunities and more will shape your strategy. One key element that impacts everyday life, especially from a business perspective is technology. So while we eagerly await those New Year’s bowl games and new music from our favorite bands, let’s take a look and see what businesses can expect from technology in 2016.
- Seamless transitions from mobile to desktop: We’ve already seen the growth of this technology, but it promises to expand in the coming year. Being connected 24/7 is nothing new. From laptops, tablets and handheld devices, you are constantly connected and able to work. Advancements in operating systems like Android, iOS and Windows 10 are allowing you to access edited data in the palm of your hand and have it waiting for you at your desk, and vice versa.
- Further expansion of online marketing: Putting your message where the eyeballs are is not a revolutionary idea. Just like a billboard on a busy highway is more effective than one on a dead-end, rarely traveled, gravel road; in 2016 you’ll need to find the crowd to effectively promote your business. As in previous years, more and more people are active online. This means your business needs to be there as well. Not only has online marketing grown at an exponential rate, it is actually replacing more traditional media outlets like printed newspapers.
- More online payment opportunities: As a business owner you offer a product or a service. And as a shopper, you’ve likely transitioned some of your spending habits to online sites like Amazon. The popularity of online shopping is only expected to increase. People are becoming more comfortable with digital transactions and are beginning to prefer them to writing checks or making payments in person. In fact a recent Mashable survey showed that 65% of respondents believe mobile payments will replace cash and cards by 2020. This can become a huge differentiator for small businesses as more applications are becoming available to make online payments secure and cost effective.
These are only a handful of the trends on the horizon when it comes to technology. This time next year we’ll be looking back at a much longer list and looking forward to an even bigger one for 2017. If 2016 is your business’ year to take that next technological step, AtlasOne Technologies is here. AtlasOne’s experience and expertise in all elements of managed IT services are available for small to medium sized businesses in the Baton Rouge area. Click here for more information about data backup and cloud services.
