Top 2010 technology trends

Keeping up with changes in communications technology can leave one breathless. But then you catch your breath and marvel at the possibilities these developments offer for businesses and individuals. Now that we have settled nicely into 2010, let's look at the trends to watch over the coming months.

Evolving data centres - Data centres are undergoing a huge transformation by leveraging powerful tools such as virtualization. For instance, thanks to the flexibility these tools offer, organizations can create a sort of hybrid package of IT services, adding services from external providers to complement those available in-house. This transformation can translate into significant savings in capital and operating costs.

Walking on clouds - One of the dynamic tools enabling the transformation of data centres is cloud computing. Cloud computing allows organizations to access IT resources, such as networks, servers and storage, on demand. While cloud computing can lower IT costs, its most important benefit is in enabling businesses to be more flexible, productive and agile, a critical competitive advantage.

A virtual solution - Virtualization's evolution has been gradual relative to other technologies, though it has long been expected to be a dominant IT tool. Virtualization is defined as the creation of a virtual (rather than actual) version of something, such as an operating system, a server, a storage device or network resources. For example, operating system virtualization uses software to enable a piece of hardware to run multiple operating systems at the same time. Virtualization can deliver flexibility, productivity improvements and cost savings.

Social skills - Social networking will continue to build and strengthen its impact on workplaces, especially in areas such as collaboration. More and more enterprises are focusing on empowering worker interactions through social networking. Business-calibre versions of platforms like Facebook and Twitter will become commonplace, and the result will be in areas such as improved decision-making or customer relations.

Easier being green - The green revolution will continue in workplaces as organizations recognize they can make environmentally responsible changes while simultaneously reducing costs. Teleworking, using electronic over paper communications tools, establishing green supply chains, and using IT tools to analyse and reduce energy consumption are a few instances of how technology is now being spelled g-r-e-e-n.

Enterprising security - With the explosion of technology tools, such as virtualization and cloud computing, the phrase "360 security" will be in most organizations' vocabulary. 360-degree security goes far beyond securing applications or corporate networks, to encompass a never-ending, essential process.

Going mobile - Of course, mobile use is no longer new. What will be, however, is how mobility is going to alter the workplace. Using mobile applications, companies will aim to enhance collaboration and, therefore, productivity. We will witness the arrival of wireless-driven, innovative applications that will reshape the relationships businesses have with their employees and customers. And it won't just be person-to-person communications that benefit, but also stronger machine-to-machine communications as well, with inventory management an easy example to conjure.

Easy to see - Efficiency, cost effectiveness and environmental benefits will push visual communications to new heights. Applications such as IP-based video conferencing have a well-established foothold and will take on an even greater role in many organizations. These visual communications tools will deliver excellent return on investment because they vastly enhance collaboration, which helps improve productivity and nurture workplace morale.

Overall, a healthy number of industry observers see 2010 as a turning point, where the innovative technologies and applications that have arrived over the last few years become absolutely integral to business operations.