CompTIA’s Top 10 New Emerging Technologies and Partner Impact
Want to know where make short-term and long-term bets for your business? CompTIA's Emerging Technology Community thought leaders lay it out for you.
With the establishment of the new Emerging Technology Community at CompTIA, its industry executives and thought leaders compiled a realistic list of top 10 emerging technologies most likely to have an impact on channel businesses.
“The channel is looking to cut through the consumer hype and build practices around those technologies that provide near-term and profitable extensions to their businesses,” said Jay McBain, principal analyst, global channels at Forrester, and vice chairman of the CompTIA Emerging Technology Community (ETC).
While this is clearly a dynamic time to be in the tech industry, it can also be confusing and overwhelming for partners having to make decisions about where to allocate time and resources in their business.
Below, we count down the Top 10 Emerging Technologies identified by CompTIA’s newly formed ETC.
#10 - Quantum Computing
This is computing that uses quantum mechanical phenomena, such as superposition, entanglement and interference to manipulate information. That means reliance on quantum bits, or qubits.
Today's computing systems manipulate individual bits, which store as binary 0 and 1 states with millions of bits working together to process and display info. Quantum computing will one day solve challenges above a certain size and complexity that today's computers can't touch.
IBM Q, for example, is an industry first initiative to build universal quantum computers for business and science.
This is computing that uses quantum mechanical phenomena, such as superposition, entanglement and interference to manipulate information. That means reliance on quantum bits, or qubits.
Today's computing systems manipulate individual bits, which store as binary 0 and 1 states with millions of bits working together to process and display info. Quantum computing will one day solve challenges above a certain size and complexity that today's computers can't touch.
IBM Q, for example, is an industry first initiative to build universal quantum computers for business and science.
#9 - Blockchain
Blockchain is a continuously growing list of records, called blocks, which are linked and secured using cryptography.
There's a lot of excitement about blockchain – as well as a lot hype – at least for now. .A Gartner 2018 CIO Survey found that only 1 percent of CIOs indicated any kind of blockchain adoption within their organizations, and only 8 percent were in short-term planning or active experimentation with blockchain. On top of that, 77 percent of CIOs surveyed said their organization has no interest in the technology and/or no action planned to investigate or develop it.
That said, "it is critical to understand what blockchain is and what it is capable of today, compared to how it will transform companies, industries and society tomorrow," said David Furlonger, vice president and research fellow at Gartner.
Blockchain is a continuously growing list of records, called blocks, which are linked and secured using cryptography.
There's a lot of excitement about blockchain – as well as a lot hype – at least for now. .A Gartner 2018 CIO Survey found that only 1 percent of CIOs indicated any kind of blockchain adoption within their organizations, and only 8 percent were in short-term planning or active experimentation with blockchain. On top of that, 77 percent of CIOs surveyed said their organization has no interest in the technology and/or no action planned to investigate or develop it.
That said, "it is critical to understand what blockchain is and what it is capable of today, compared to how it will transform companies, industries and society tomorrow," said David Furlonger, vice president and research fellow at Gartner.
#8 - Biometrics
Also known as realistic authentication, biometrics is used in computer science as a form of identification and access control.
Back in 2006, the IBM ThinkPad T60 offered a fingerprint reader. Today, this technology is common place on mobile phones. Expect to see a more expansive global market for biometrics to the tune of $24 billion by 2025, particularly for face and voice biometrics, according to Persistence Market Research.
Also known as realistic authentication, biometrics is used in computer science as a form of identification and access control.
Back in 2006, the IBM ThinkPad T60 offered a fingerprint reader. Today, this technology is common place on mobile phones. Expect to see a more expansive global market for biometrics to the tune of $24 billion by 2025, particularly for face and voice biometrics, according to Persistence Market Research.
#7 - Drones
These unmanned crafts have a host of applications.
The emerging global market for commercial applications of drone technology is valued at over $127 billion, according to PwC research. Drones are disrupting markets from agriculture to filming, and are having a broad impact on the business operations of companies across vertical markets.
These unmanned crafts have a host of applications.
The emerging global market for commercial applications of drone technology is valued at over $127 billion, according to PwC research. Drones are disrupting markets from agriculture to filming, and are having a broad impact on the business operations of companies across vertical markets.
#6 - 3-D Printing
This is the process in which material is joined or solidified under computer control to create a three-dimensional object, with material being added together — such as the fusion of liquid molecules or powder grains.
There is a place for 3-D printing in a channel partner's business, but it's not what you think. There’s quite a bit of difference between printing onto a medium or substrate such as paper versus a process that prints upon itself to create a part, shape or object. Still, partners need to pay attention to this spectacular emerging technology.
This is the process in which material is joined or solidified under computer control to create a three-dimensional object, with material being added together — such as the fusion of liquid molecules or powder grains.
There is a place for 3-D printing in a channel partner's business, but it's not what you think. There’s quite a bit of difference between printing onto a medium or substrate such as paper versus a process that prints upon itself to create a part, shape or object. Still, partners need to pay attention to this spectacular emerging technology.
#5 - 5G
5th generation wireless systems (5G) are improved wireless network technologies deploying this year and beyond.
Every network technology company has 5G on its mind and in its product road map. For channel partners, it changes everything. AT&T's Zee Hussain called 5G the next electricity.
5th generation wireless systems (5G) are improved wireless network technologies deploying this year and beyond.
Every network technology company has 5G on its mind and in its product road map. For channel partners, it changes everything. AT&T's Zee Hussain called 5G the next electricity.
#4 - AR/VR
Augmented reality (AR) is a direct or indirect live view of a physical, real-world environment. Virtual reality (VR) is a computer-generated scenario that simulates a realistic experience. While it still might seem like sci-fi, it's not. It's real and it's the next big thing for businesses.
The 2018 AR/VR forecast is projected at $17.8 billion, representing an almost 95 percent increase over last year’s figure of $9.1 billion, according to IDC. The commercial sectors will represent more than 60 percent of AR/VR spending in 2018 and grow more than 85 percent of the worldwide total in 2021.
Augmented reality (AR) is a direct or indirect live view of a physical, real-world environment. Virtual reality (VR) is a computer-generated scenario that simulates a realistic experience. While it still might seem like sci-fi, it's not. It's real and it's the next big thing for businesses.
The 2018 AR/VR forecast is projected at $17.8 billion, representing an almost 95 percent increase over last year’s figure of $9.1 billion, according to IDC. The commercial sectors will represent more than 60 percent of AR/VR spending in 2018 and grow more than 85 percent of the worldwide total in 2021.
#3 - Artificial Intelligence
Also, known as machine intelligence, AI is demonstrated by machines, in contrast to the natural intelligence displayed by humans and other animals.
AI is another emerging technology that's poised to change everything. This week, Microsoft added more AI applications to its Dynamics 365 portfolio, on its quest to democratize the technology. Some channel partners have already taken the plunge into AI and are finding great success.
Also, known as machine intelligence, AI is demonstrated by machines, in contrast to the natural intelligence displayed by humans and other animals.
AI is another emerging technology that's poised to change everything. This week, Microsoft added more AI applications to its Dynamics 365 portfolio, on its quest to democratize the technology. Some channel partners have already taken the plunge into AI and are finding great success.
#2 - Automation
Automation is the technology by which a process or procedure is performed without human assistance.
IDC says that automation is a strategic part of a digital-transformation strategy. The research firm identifies three stages in the intelligent automation value chain: basic, machine augmented, and autonomous decision-making.
Automation is the technology by which a process or procedure is performed without human assistance.
IDC says that automation is a strategic part of a digital-transformation strategy. The research firm identifies three stages in the intelligent automation value chain: basic, machine augmented, and autonomous decision-making.
#1 - Internet of Things
The broad internet of things (IoT) is the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators and connectivity that enables these objects to connect and exchange data.
Bain expects the combined markets for IoT, including hardware, software, systems integration, and data and telecom services, to reach $520 billion by 2021, more than double the $235 billion spent last year. Most of that will be captured by the enterprise and industrial segment. Every channel partner should get up to speed on IoT and the business opportunity it presents.
The broad internet of things (IoT) is the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators and connectivity that enables these objects to connect and exchange data.
Bain expects the combined markets for IoT, including hardware, software, systems integration, and data and telecom services, to reach $520 billion by 2021, more than double the $235 billion spent last year. Most of that will be captured by the enterprise and industrial segment. Every channel partner should get up to speed on IoT and the business opportunity it presents.
