A glance at the newest tech developments for 2014 - and how you can use them to your advantage.
1. Risk mitigation is key
Global economic uncertainty is anticipated to continue into 2014, therefore businesses need to mitigate the risks associated with large projects and software investments.
UXC Eclipse COO, Anne Callaghan, said when it comes to software installations businesses need to demand that their implementation partner offers quality assurance for all projects to mitigate the risks associated with it.
“It is equally important to have senior executive sponsorship from the implementation partner,” she said. “Having a direct line to management means that any concern can always be addressed immediately.”
Companies should also be aware of the upcoming privacy law changes, which come into force in March 2014. Organisations will need to have correct procedures and safeguards in place when sharing customer data with other entities. Appropriate management and protection of the company’s information and that of their customers is paramount as failure to do so could lead to significant fines.
2. Platform and architecture transformation speeds up
Most applications have the choice of cloud or on-premise deployment, from Microsoft Office to large Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions.
The emergence of the cloud as a way for organisations to save money, perform more efficiently and flexibly and bring products to market faster, is predicted to grow in popularity as benefits become more widely documented.
Companies need to decide which applications suit their operational needs and the method of deployment, UXC Exclipse Senior Executive Enterprise Solutions and Services, William Moore, said.
“This platform, whether cloud, on-premise or a hybrid approach, must then be integrated into the business, which adds a new layer of complexity,” he said. “This type of transformation can be extremely valuable to reduce costs and increase flexibility but it is essential for companies to clearly understand their business requirements and options available to choose the right solution.”
3. Business intelligence goes real-time
The benefits from data will continued to be sought after, as when used effectively it can reveal opportunities for businesses to operate more effectively.
Mark Weimann, Senior Solutions Architect Manager, UXC Eclipse said while making smart, informed decisions is more important than ever in the current business environment, it is only possible when the information required is available in real time and is accurate and comprehensive.
Therefore in 2014, UXC Eclipse expects businesses will keep improving how they interact with data including where and how they can view the data, making sure it is relevant and using it proactively to make informed business decisions.
4. Mobility becomes ubiquitous
As mobility is now expected to be seamlessly integrated into business applications Moore expects businesses will be play ‘catch up’ in 2014 to bring this end-user reality into their work-day application environment.
“Companies have mainly been focusing on external audiences when it comes to mobility but the internal aspects will be increasingly important,” he said. “BYOD or CYOD (choose your own device) will become more prevalent as companies realise the benefits of making business applications available securely on users’ own mobile devices.”
5. Projects must deliver stakeholder value
Stakeholders will increasingly demand proof of value of on-going projects in 2014. UXC Eclipse recommends due diligence at the start of an IT project to help assess the potential return on investment.
“Delivering value to the stakeholders means understanding and agreeing on project deliverables from the start. Formally documenting business processes and having company-wide agreement on those before a project kicks off is a powerful way to ensure that the desired value and outcomes are understood and then delivered, particularly with ERP and CRM projects,” Russell Gordon, Practice Director – Business Process Management, UXC Eclipse said.
6. ERP remains relevant
ERP will be highly relevant in 2014 and continue to evolve to suit business needs.
Weimann expects it is likely to become more simplified and easier to use and access, with uses interfaces becoming more tailored to user roles and groups. More advanced analytics tools should also provide better and faster access to data.
