TechTheDay

This blog has already featured a list citing the best inventions of 2014. Since the end of the year is nearing, a post on technology predictions for 2015 is in order. This time, the predictions are based on a piece released by International Data Corporation or IDC, a global source for advisory services and market intelligence concerning the telecommunications, information technology, and consumer technology sectors.

The following are the trends and developments to be expected in the next year as predicted by IDC.

1. New technologies will not only be a significant driving force for growth, they will be the driving force for growth.

Per IDC data, expenditure on telecommunications and information technology has increased by 3.8% to nearly $4 trillion. Virtually all of this growth in spending is expected to be allocated to new technologies. These new technologies, as identified by IDC, include mobile, cloud computing, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things.

2. Wireless data will be the fastest growing segment of the telecommunications industry.

Expected to have a value of more than half a trillion dollars, wireless data will grow by 13% in 2015. It is bound to become the fastest growing segment when it comes to telecom spending. On the other hand, Net Neutrality is expected to become compulsory in the United States, although with a hybrid approach to provide a baseline of services for all users.

3. Phablets will drive mobile growth.

The sales figures for smartphones and tablets have decelerated in recent years. Still, they account for 40% of all IT spending growth. Interestingly, phablet sales have increased, even eating into the sales of tablets. IDC predicts that phablet sales will grow by 60% in 2015. Phablets will be on the rise even as related products disappoint. IDC believes that wearables will still not become a hit in 2015, selling only an estimated 40 to 50 million units. A wrist-phone will also likely be launched but is expected to flop. When it comes to app downloads, there will be a slowdown next year although independent Chinese app stores will crop up and own 18% of the total market share.

4. There will be new partnerships that will reinvigorate the cloud computing landscape.

Based on IDC’s projection, there will be bigger spending to enable a greater cloud ecosystem. This will amount to around $118 billion, most of which will be used to establish public cloud computing infrastructure. Amazon is expected to become the leader in online sales and cloud services and will be able to resist various forms of attacks or competition to maintain its market share or even gain a bigger share. In the midst of all of these, there will be interesting partnerships, such as those involving Facebook and Microsoft or IBM and HP, to become more competitive in the cloud ecosystem.

5. Big data supply chains will be driven by data-as-a-service

Global spending for big data related hardware, software, and solutions is expected to reach $125 billion. On the other hand, rich media analytics concerning audio, image, and video will become an essential driving factor for projects related to big data. Expenditure for these analytics is expected to grow by at least three times. IDC also predicts that a quarter of the world’s top IT vendors will already be offering data-as-a-service solutions by 2015.

6. The Internet of Things will continue playing a role in expanding the IT industry.

Spending for the Internet of Things (IoT) is predicted to reach $1.7 trillion or a 14% increase by 2015. One third of this amount is expected to to be intended for smart or embedded devices and will come from outside of the IT and telecommunications industries. This increase is described as a “dramatic expansion” by IDC and it is predicted that traditional IT vendors such as IBM, Cisco, and Intel will create their respective IoT solutions companies to address needs in the growing IoT ecosystems.

7.  Cloud service providers will change the IT landscape by becoming the new data center.

IDC’s 2015 technology predictions boldly perceive cloud service providers as the new data center, which will stimulate “cloud first” hardware innovations. These innovations, in turn, will drive greater consolidation among server, software, storage, and networking vendors. IDC anticipates a couple or more major mergers or acquisitions in the IT industry as cloud services play a bigger role in next year’s technological landscape.

8. There will be rapid expansion of industry-specific digital platforms.

New technologies are expected to integrate and will serve as a business innovation platform, not just a technology platform. This will create opportunities for transforming virtually all types of industry or sector. According to IDC’s prediction, a third of current market share leaders in every industry will be disrupted by vendors that come out with new IT products and services.

9. New security and printing innovations will be adopted.

By 2015, IDC expects that 15% of all mobile devices in the market will become biometrically accessible. This figure will accordingly rise to more than 50% by 2020. Around 20% of regulated data will become encrypted by the end of 2015 and 80% by 2018. Additionally, threat intelligence is seen as the data-as-a-service category to beat. On the other hand, 3D printing will become more popular by 2015 among conventional document printing companies.

10. “Made in China” and China in general will expand further and farther.

China is already a major force in the world of telecommunications and information technology. In 2015, the Chinese clout is unlikely to diminish. It is even seen to become stronger. More devices or tech products will be manufactured in China and sold worldwide. IDC predicts that China branded smartphones will take around 40% of the global smartphone market in 2015. The Chinese market will also grow bigger, making international companies target the country as one of the main markets to exploit.

These predictions sound really viable. The bit on China’s growing clout, in particular, is unsurprising. Whatever happens, it’s important for companies to prepare for the challenges and make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead. Tech consumers, on the other hand, can expect newer and more exciting things to come. 2015 will probably be better than 2014 in terms of technological advancements and innovations.