First on Pixel’s research list is the Internet of Things. Gartner predicts this will increase by 39% from 2015 to 2016 and just as it once seemed unimaginable for a mobile phone to do anything but make calls, it will soon be hard to remember a world without smart cars, roads and infrastructure. Forbes describes the Internet of things as the concept of connecting any device with an on and off switch to the internet (and/or to each other). It’s predicted that in the near future everything from street lighting to water quality will be measured by sensors which send data back into the cloud.

The Internet of Things will allow businesses to collect more detailed information on how products or equipment are used, when they break and feedback on what customers might want in the future. This new sensor driven technology is currently being utilised by businesses such as Rolls Royce and Microsoft to enable smarter business operations. Rolls Royce aircraft engines contain sensors that send real-time data on the engine’s function back to monitoring stations on the ground. This information detects malfunctions before they become fatal and can potentially prevent aircraft disasters.  

Back in late 2006 Nintendo released the ‘Wii’, a motion controlled games console, inspired by the Virtual reality glove. It proved to be a worldwide hit and introduced a new gaming experience for users. Technology trend experts like Pixel are now predicting that virtual reality will be explored by businesses in 2016.  Walking around a virtual world will give you the impression of a real scene as things get bigger as you walk towards them and smaller as you walk away.

Wearable goggles will create a virtual experience which make business operations more productive and engaging. This could improve the way in which we preview a new office building, host industry talks and learn new training material.  Imagine moving your department into a new building and being able to interact “virtually” with objects in the room. It would help you to make decisions on the suitability and location of office space by enabling you to “walk” virtually to a meeting room or to position a team of individuals in an office environment.

The vivid nature of virtual reality also gives the opportunity for improved business training sessions. A new employee could be able to look around a room, interact with objects, and meet other people virtually; Trainers would only need to record sessions once and the material could then be used by multiple new hires. Virtual reality would also provide a more productive way for businesses to hold conferences and meetings. Workers would be able to review a new product and tap in and out of meetings, saving the cost of travel.

Pixel’s final piece of advice is courtesy of 451 Research. According to their recent Enterprise Mobile Application report, the global market for mobile apps is expected to grow from £45.7bn to £180bn by 2019. Demand for enterprise mobility will increase through 2016 as business professionals seek new ways to drive customer engagement and workforce improvement through relationship management and productivity apps.

Because of this emerging world of opportunities that mobile technology can bring to the B2B market, we will see more IT strategies adopting a Mobile-First mindset.

So as we eagerly wait for another year of technological change, we ask for your opinion on the trends for 2016. Have your say on our poll or tweet us with the hashtag #PixelPredicts