The document discusses technology predictions for businesses in 2017, including: - The Internet of Things (IoT) will become more valuable for exceeding customer expectations and providing smarter customer service. - Wireless technology like wireless headphones and charging will become more common as the new norm. - Big data implementation will become a basic step for businesses and lead to improved storage and efficiency. - Augmented and virtual reality will disrupt businesses and enable new forms of customer interactions. - Mobility and mobile workplaces will dominate in 2017, with BYOD and cloud-based services enabling flexible working.

1. Business Technology
Predictions for 2017
With 2016 moving towards the end, the technology
revolution and augmentation in businesses
continue to barrel forward with disruptive and
emerging trends mushrooming every day. As the
startup climate takes over, today’s businesses have
begun sporting an environment that is rich with
technology adoption.

2. Digital transformations have reshaped almost
every aspect of businesses. Here is a list of the
predictions that will define technology
implementation in businesses for the next year.
IoT Will Create Valuable Customer Experiences
Driven by the latest tools of technology, customer
expectations have accelerated over the years and
businesses have been looking for ways to provide
satisfactory experiences to them. The Internet of
Things has been instrumental in making this
possible.
In 2017, the Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to
become more valuable to exceed customer
expectations. It has been labeled as the next
Industrial Revolution.

3. By 2020, the number of connected devices will rise
to 50 billion.
$6 trillion will be invested in IoT over the next five
years.
With companies offering IoT services, customer
service will become smarter.
Wireless Technology Will Become the New Norm
Hybrid wireless technologies will connect two or
more devices to provide seamless experiences for
users. Apple has already adopted the wireless
bandwagon by launching the iPhone 7 with the
wireless headphones along with plans to launch
the iPhone 8 which is expected to have wireless
charging capability.
Other companies have joined in as well. Cable and
Internet provider Comcast is planning to offer
wireless services by mid-2017. Verizon network’s
leased airwaves combined with millions of WiFi

4. locations of Comcast will be used to provide this
service to its customers.
Apart from that, wireless for multiple dwelling
units or MDU wireless, will continue to be a basic
amenity for residential complexes.
Big Data Will Become More Influential
The implementation of big data for all kinds of
businesses will become a basic step for all kind of
business in 2017. This will lead to major upgrades
in speed and efficiency. Technology will evolve for
improved big data storage for companies.
Such increased adoption will be fueled by the
various benefits that businesses can avail from big
data. Not only does it help in developing better
products and services and serving customers better,
it also provides a competitive advantage to the
businesses.

5. Memorable Interactions With AR and VR
With the disruptive trends of augmented and
virtual reality taking the center stage, these are
expected to turn the business landscape upside
down in the next year. With headsets and other
tools being made accessible, these technologies
have come way beyond the gaming real and into
the world of businesses and customer interactions.
For example, tech powerhouses like Google,
Microsoft etc. are creating software and hardware
for VR that will rival the appeal of the existing
technologies and change how we shop,
communicate and advertise.
The appeal of these technologies lies in the fact
that these can engage users by allowing them to
interact with the simulations. It has been
estimated that AR and VR would become a $150
billion market by 2020. As many as 67%
organizations are planning to augment these

6. technologies in their businesses.
Mobility Will Dominate
Mobile workplace is going to be the new norm for
2017. Businesses have already accepted the trend
of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). 2017 will witness
the companies devising strategies to make the
most of this trend.
According to Fred Mouawad, CEO of TaskWorld, a
company that is focused on employee
management and performance, “The key is
building an environment of trust in your company.
As technology gets more mobile, it will become
next to impossible for companies to restrict
employees from using their own device.”
This will enable the workforce to become more
productive. Additionally, this will lead to flexible
working hours. Cloud-based services will help
businesses overcome all obstacles to integrate

7. mobile technology into their systems. We are
already familiar with cloud-computing and have
been using the services for quite some time now.
Fueled by the mobile technology trend,
cloud-computing will become immensely popular
in the upcoming years.
These trendsetters are expected to stay in the
limelight for years to come. Therefore, businesses
should start devising strategies to make the most
of these and stay ahead of their competition.