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Tech Trends
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6.
Blockchain and Distributed Ledgers
Blockchain is a type of distributed ledger
in which value exchange transactions (in
bitcoin or other tokens) are sequentially
grouped into blocks. Each block is chained
to the previous one and recorded across a
peer-to-peer network, using cryptographic
trust and assurance mechanisms.
Blockchain and distributed-ledger concepts
are gaining traction because they have the
potential to transform industry operating
models. While the current hype is around
the financial services industry, there are
many possible applications, including music
distribution, identity verification, title registry
and supply chain. Cearley points out that
while distributed ledgers are potentially
transformative, most initiatives are still in
the early alpha or beta testing stage.
7.
Conversational Systems
The current focus for conversational
interfaces is focused on chatbots and
microphone-enabled devices (e.g.
speakers, smartphones, tablets, PCs,
vehicles). However, as the digital mesh
encompassing endpoints that people use
to access applications and information or
interact with people, social communities,
Government and businesses, moves
beyond the traditional desktop computer
and mobile devices to encompass the full
range of endpoints with which humans
might interact, connection models will
expand and greater cooperative interaction
between devices will emerge. This, says
Gartner, is laying the foundation for a new
continuous and ambient digital experience.
8.
Mesh App and Service Architecture
In the mesh app and service architecture
(MASA), mobile apps, web apps, desktop
apps and IoT apps link to a broad mesh
of back-end services to create what users
view as an ‘application’. The architecture
encapsulates services and exposes APIs at
multiple levels and across organisational
boundaries, balancing the demand for
agility and scalability of services with
composition and reuse of services. The
MASA enables users to have an optimised
solution for targeted endpoints in the
digital mesh (e.g. desktop, smartphone
and automobile), as well as a continuous
experience as they shift across these
different channels.
9.
Digital Technology Platforms
Digital technology platforms provide the
basic building blocks for a digital business.
According to Gartner, the five major
ones are information systems; customer
experience; analytics and intelligence;
the IoT; and business ecosystems. Every
organisation will have some mix of these
five platforms.
10.
Adaptive Security Architecture
The intelligent digital mesh and related
digital technology platforms and
application architectures are creating
an ever more complex world for security.
Gartner says that established security
technologies should be used as a baseline
to secure Internet of Things platforms,
adding that monitoring user and entity
behaviour is particularly needed in IoT
scenarios. “However, the IoT edge is a new
frontier for many IT security professionals,
creating new vulnerability areas and often
requiring new remediation tools and
processes that must be factored into IoT
platform efforts,” warns Cearley.
Gartner clients can learn more in
Top 10
Strategic Technology Trends for 2017
.
Worldwide IT Spending Forecast (Billions of US Dollars)
2016
Spending
2016
Growth
2017
Spending
2017
Growth
Data Centre
Systems
173
1.3% 177
2.0%
Software
333
6.0% 357
7.2%
Devices
597
-7.5% 600
0.4%
IT Services
900
3.9% 943
4.8%
Communications
Services
1,384
-1.1% 1,410
1.9%
Overall IT
3,387
-0.3% 3,486
2.9%
Source: Gartner (October 2016)
UK bucks IT spend trend due
to Brexit fears
Worldwide IT spending is forecast to reach $3.5 trillion in
2017, up 2.9% from this year’s estimated spend of $3.4
trillion, according to Gartner’s Q3 IT Spending Forecast.
Next year’s growth is being driven by increased demand
for software and IT services. Software spending is projected
to grow 6% in 2016 and 7.2% in 2017, with IT services
spending up by 3.9% this year and by 4.8% in 2017 (see
table).
The picture is less rosy in the UK, where Gartner says the
Brexit vote is already having an impact on IT investment.
John-David Lovelock, research vice president at Gartner,
said: “The immediate impact of Brexit has caused modest
growth in IT spending to turn negative for 2016. Without the
UK, global IT spending growth would have been modestly
positive at 0.2% in 2016, but with the UK included, IT
spending is expected to decrease 0.3%. The immediate
impact of the British pound will also cause IT spending
patterns to shift as prices for IT will increase.”
He added that Gartner expected to see an increase in
IT spend in some European countries as financial services
organisations in those countries positioned themselves as
viable alternatives to the City of London.
“We see software and IT services spending in Germany
and France increasing, while UK services stay relatively
flat. There are other countries, such as the Netherlands,
Luxembourg and Ireland, that are also increasing their IT
spend to contend as a viable alternative to banks in the
UK. We are seeing examples of many banks in talks with
these countries to examine the possibility of moving their
operations outside of the UK,” he said.
In contrast, Gartner is not expecting any impact on IT
spending from the US presidential election.
Lovelock said: “We have taken into account the US
presidential race, as well as a potential rate cut by the
Federal Reserve. Typically, there is a slight pause in IT
spending leading into the election, and then a relief in
spending subsequently. However, trends have shown that
IT spending in the US is not dependent on presidential
leadership, so neither candidate should have a significant
impact on IT spending in the near-term.”
