In a post-Covid world marked by uncertainty, Gartner identifies nine strategic technology trends essential to enabling companies to face up to these challenges and develop organizational plasticity. This means remaining resilient, responsive and adaptable, while placing people at the heart of processes. Here's a summary of the main trends to watch in 2021:

1. The Internet of behaviors: The health crisis has accelerated the use of sensors to monitor temperature, distancing and space occupancy. This paves the way for increased analysis of workplace behaviors.
  
2. Total experience: To meet post-Covid challenges, companies need to offer an omnichannel user experience that combines diverse digital interactions, including teleworking and virtual business interactions.

3. Privacy-protecting IT: It is crucial to guarantee data protection while fostering collaboration, notably via technologies such as homomorphic encryption.

4. Distributed cloud: Thanks to Edge computing and 5G, companies will deploy cloud services closer to users, making it easier to manage compliance with data protection regulations.

5. Operate anywhere: Corporate efficiency will be driven by the digitization of physical spaces and fully digital business models, with a focus on motivating teleworking employees.

6. Cybersecurity mesh: Decentralized telecommuting requires a modular, identity-centric approach to cybersecurity to effectively secure sensitive assets.

7. Composable and intelligent enterprises: Organizations need to be modular and data-driven to adapt quickly to change, while fostering team agility and autonomy.

8. AI Engineering: For AI to be sustainable and successful, it must be integrated into DevOps processes and followed by sound ethical principles.

9. Hyperautomation: To achieve operational excellence and resilience, companies need to adopt advanced automation solutions, such as software robots and AI Ops.

These nine trends, combined with organizational plasticity, will enable companies to successfully navigate the uncertainty of the post-Covid era.

Source : ICTjournal