Top Technology Trends for 2013

Nov 16
07:14

2012

Sharad Gaikwad

Sharad Gaikwad

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Gartner’s list of the top 10 strategic technology trends highlights 10 key game shapers that companies should be factoring into their strategic plans for the year ahead.

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Among them are Mobile devices,Top Technology Trends for 2013 Articles applications, personal cloud and big data – all well connected to healthcare technology and efficiently managing the healthcare space.

Mobile Devices and Applications

In a paper released by Gartner in Orlando last month as a part of an IT Expo Symposium, The Research firm has predicted that mobile phones would be the most sought after platform for internet access from 2013 and by 2015 over 80% of the handsets sold would be smart phones.

The waves of change have already started sweeping across the world of mobile devices. Google’s Android platform and Apple’s iPhone dominated the U.S. smart phone space in 2011. Android had 64 percent of the smart phone software market in the second quarter, compared to 43 percent in the previous year, according to Gartner. Apple’s share rose to 19 percent from 18 percent in the same period. Last month Google had announced a new lineup of mobile devices, in alliance with Samsung and LG to counter the challenge from Apple’s tablets and smart phones. Experts believe that the company has expanded into mobile software and hardware “to lessen its dependence on web search and widen its reach in the growing market for advertising on wireless devices.”

Taken the plunge into the market is Microsoft with its Windows 8 and Windows RT, says a recent CNET feature. Microsoft’s plans are to “depend on Laptops, tablets and “convertibles” and its own Surface,” according to the blog. Quoting Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer it further says that all those PC users who will start using Windows 8 soon, will find Windows phone a better one than any other phone. “It seems the strategy is to push Windows Phone 8 by building familiarity and recognition,” adds the blog quoting Charles Golvin, an analyst at Forrester Research.

Personal Cloud

Intel is reportedly making chips for more than two dozen smart phones and tablets hitting the market, thus creating a new battleground for IT in Cloud environment. Personal cloud will gradually replace the PC for storing and accessing patient health records, and meeting various digital needs in healthcare management. “It will be the glue that connects the vast assortment of devices people choose to use during different aspects of their daily lives” including health information management; and the focus would be on cloud-based services delivered across devices.

Operating Platforms

Gartner predicts “through 2017, 90% of enterprises will have two or more mobile operating systems to support.” By the end of 2011 many companies had already moved to Apple’s iOS as their main mobile device platform and several others would continue to follow. As enterprises continue to offer multi-platform support, new platforms such as Windows 8 continue to emerge and Mobile Device Management (MDM) needs will start picking up.

A Shot in the Arm for Healthcare IT

Emerging technologies impact long-term plans and initiatives of organizations. It offers an opportunity for strategic business advantage to Healthcare technology firms. Undoubtedly, that is going to help faster development of evidence based medical practices by transforming the approach of healthcare providers towards care.