Wherever there is information there is software. It can be a few lines of code or an enterprise commerce system driving a million transactions an hour or anything in between. Software provides the logic and organization to govern information that exists at all levels.

As we round the year’s halfway mark, it’s worth considering these software trends gathered from two articles by InfoWorld and Forbes Magazine.

  1. Increased use of smart apps – This gives businesses actionable insights from data collected and thus streamlining customer experience. However, Carlos Mendez, with InfoWorld says, “The challenge for developers in 2017 will be to integrate and manage the plethora of different IoT technologies, data, endpoints, platforms and back-end systems, at a speed that keeps up with the rapid pace of innovation.”
  2. Investment in data analysts – Businesses will further shift their way of thinking using the data and insight they consume, allowing for better decision making and a competitive edge. “Since these solutions are only as good as the data they accumulate, the role of data analysts and data scientists will become as critical as an HR manager, marketing head or CIO in the new year,” says Mendez.
  3. PaaS in the cloud – Cloud use has increased dramatically over the past year, and it’s not slowing down. Melendez predicts that, “PaaS solutions will become the key accelerators of a new level of cloud growth since they provide a platform for customers to run and manage their applications in the cloud without the complexity of building the associated infrastructure or algorithms.”
  4. Machine learning – Jayson DeMers, contributor to Forbes Magazine, expects “machine learning updates emerge across the board, entering almost any type of consumer application you can think of, from offering better recommended products based on prior purchase history to gradually improving the user experience of an analytics app.” Soon machine learning will be the norm.
  5. AI and cognitive computing – DeMers says that “technologies, such as virtual personal assistants, security solutions and marketing solutions, will deliver this new level of business user functionality by incorporating cognitive learning and robotic process automation.”
  6. Humanized big data – Big data has been a hot topic for a few years. But what’s the next big buzz? DeMers says, “I expect we’ll see advancements to humanize big data, seeking more empathetic and qualitative bits of data and projecting it in a more visualized, accessible way.”
  7. On demand – From Favor to Lyft (and so many more), at the touch of a button you have the convenience to order food or catch a ride to the airport. DeMers predicts that more businesses will move to the on-demand space to capture more customers and stay ahead of their competition.

Identifying and implementing the optimal software solutions for your organization is a massive undertaking. Sirius’ solution experts can help you find solutions to support your organization’s needs, improve productivity and increase efficiency while reducing costs.

Sirius has a developed methodology (called STRATUS) that will take you from discovery through delivery of your software solution. Whether you’re looking to implement a data visualization solution, custom application or any of our other solutions, the Sirius team can help.

Download our Software Solutions Overview for more information, or contact us to speak with a software expert today.