This document summarizes the major new IT trends that will impact businesses in 2014, including big data, social collaboration, the internet of everything involving connected devices, 3D printing, hybrid computers, personal clouds, and mobile apps. It notes that big data presents an opportunity for businesses to better understand customers but also challenges in obtaining and using large data sources, while social collaboration tools may replace email and help share knowledge across organizations. The rise of internet-connected devices and diversity of personal devices also poses risks to manage for businesses.

1. IT TRENDS FOR 2014
A summary of the major new IT trends that will impact your business in 2014
December 2013
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2. INTRODUCTION
Like every year, Carnac Group published a summary of the IT trends that will impact your
business during the year.
This year, the following technologies will most probably appear in your business:
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Big Data
Social Collaboration
Internet of Everything & Smart Devices
3D printing
Hybrid Computers
Personal Cloud
Mobile Apps
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3. BIG DATA
Very few companies really understand its
implications and what it is.
Each of us record and leave more and more
personal information on the Internet, particularly
with the popularity of social networking sites
such as Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.
Challenge for businesses
Where are we at with Big Data?
Which tool should we use?
What information do we need?
Where should we get it?
How should we maximise the
benefits for us?
It represents an opportunity for businesses to
engage directly with customers.
It allows businesses to understand their market
better by analysing large volumes of
information.
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4. SOCIAL COLLABORATION
Email communications will start losing
ground to online social collaboration
tools (e.g. Yammer, Salesforce, etc.).
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Users can quickly exchange ideas
and information and harness the
knowledge of all employees.
Social collaboration will improve agility and the
integration of remotes teams.
Companies will realise there is always at least
one employee who will have an answer to a
question. These tools will help you find that
person quickly.
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Challenge for businesses
Are we ready?
What are the benefits for us?
Which tools should we use?
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5. INTERNET OF EVERYTHING
37 billion new “things” will be
connected to the Internet by 2020:
cars, white goods, televisions, etc.
P2P, P2M and M2M are the key focus
for the years to come.
Devices will collect more data of our
day-to-day life.
Challenge for businesses
Should our products be connected?
For what benefits?
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6. DIVERSITY OF DEVICES
Every year, there are more types of devices released on the market (brand, operating
systems, etc.)
It is increasingly difficult for businesses to manage their IT infrastructure and landscape.
Some businesses have adopted BYOD very early on.
It becomes critical for companies to define the boundaries of their BYOD policies in order
to protect their network and their data.
Challenge for businesses
Which devices should we
accept?
Should we limit BYOD?
What are the risks we are
exposed to?
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7. 3D PRINTING
This year, this new technology will become more
accessible.
Gartner is predicting the 3D print market will increase
by 75% this year and will nearly double the following
year.
This will revolutionise the way businesses go about
their product development. Simpler prototyping will
even enable some businesses to manufacture some
smaller scale products on demand, without having to
invest significant capital.
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Challenge for businesses
What are the benefits for my
business?
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8. HYBRID COMPUTERS
Mobility toolkit of employees is likely to change with
a focus on hybrid computers (laptop + tablet).
Many companies upgrade their computer fleet every
3 to 4 years. Companies should review their mobility
toolkit now to make the right choice for the next few
years.
Hybrid computers are more and more affordable and
will reduce the usage of BYOD.
Challenge for businesses
What is our position on Hybrid
computers?
Have we started a review?
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9. PERSONAL CLOUD
We are all using at numerous devices in our
day-to-day life and as users, we expect data
to be synchronised between these devices.
Apple released iCloud a few years ago and
more companies will start deploying
technologies to achieve the same or better
results.
Data will become available across all devices
seamlessly and businesses will need to start
planning for it.
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10. MOBILE APPS
The majority of Internet connections are now
coming from mobile devices.
The usage of mobile Apps is increasing
significantly at home and in businesses.
Traditional applications will be replaced by richer
mobile Apps or suite of Apps. These Apps are
less and less specialised.
We will start seeing more connectors to enable
rich communications between these Apps which
will also be more integrated in the work
environment.
Challenge for businesses
Do you have a standard suite
of Apps that you provide your
employees with?
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11. ABOUT CARNAC Group
Carnac Group is a boutique consultancy located in Sydney which helps clients achieve
competitive advantage through improved operational performance and technologies.
We work with clients to identify and implement business improvement initiatives across
information technology and any other facet of their business.
Contact us today
by phone: 02 8073 3342
by email info@carnacgroup.com
or visit our web site
http://www.carnacgroup.com
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12. CARNAC GROUP PTY LTD
SYDNEY OFFICE
PO BOX 507
CROWS NEST NSW 2065
AUSTRALIA
ABN: 58 163 622 008
WEBSITE: www.carnacgroup.com
EMAIL: info@carnacgroup.com
PHONE: +61 2 8073 3342
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