Business Communication Trends in 2018 (January 2nd 2018)
As we say our final goodbyes to 2017 and introduce ourselves to 2018, let’s take a look at where things are headed this year. We’ve seen massive growth in software as a service (SaaS) offerings such as SD-WAN, Unified Communications, and O365 with no signs of slowing down. With that said, here are 5 trends to keep an eye on for 2018.
1. The Runaway train: WAN-Optimization
2017 was a huge year for WAN-Optimization beast: SD-WAN, and that won’t change in 2018. It’ll go from being a rapidly deployed buzzword to a staple in multi-location businesses. Account executives around the country were excited to present this tool that everyone in the world could benefit from, but SD-WAN in 2017 suffered from a lack of understanding. That’s OK though, we can leave that back in 2017… and enter 2018 with knowledge and experience.
2. Unified Communications in the Enterprise
If you had even the smallest doubt that a cloud-based phone system would overthrow the PBX, Cisco certainly put that to rest with their acquisition of Broadsoft (NASDAQ: BSFT) for a whopping 1.9 Billion Dollars. Cisco’s on-premise system, “Cisco Call Manager,” has been a staple in enterprise phone systems for years, and they realized that Broadsoft provides a way to retain an offering of their own, while also profiting from companies that transition away from the call manager to a unified communications platform. Now that the SMBs, and a few large companies, have proven UCaaS worthy, watch for the enterprise space to join the party in 2018.
3. Continued Provider Consolidation
In 2017 we saw a large number of blockbuster acquisitions:
- Cisco acquired both Broadsoft (1.9 Billion) and Viptela (610 Million)
- Century Link and Level3 Merger (34 Billion)
- Mitel acquired ShoreTel (430 Million)
- VMWare acquired VeloCloud (610 Million)
- Windstream acquisition of Broadview Networks (228 Million) and merger with Earthlink (1.1 Billion)
- Verizon acquired XO (1.8 Billion)
There were plenty more… but for the sake of laundry listing, I’ll stop there. Expect to see even more of this in 2018.
4. Application Innovation, Digital Transformation, & Mobility
The continued evolution of digital transformation will remain relevant in 2018. Businesses are embracing the benefits of digital transformation; they are noticing a dramatic increase in operational efficiency, attraction from top talent, and above all else, profit. Application innovation in businesses is growing at a rapid rate because it allows companies to integrate their unique platform with their CRM, ERP, data, etc. with core offerings to help enable a mobile workforce.
5. Large increase in Cyber-Security spending
2017 had a lot of headline-grabbing cyber-attacks. Companies such as Equifax, WannaCry, Uber, HBO, Merck Pharmaceutical, and many more, had their private information stolen, held for ransom, or even destroyed. Business owners began to learn very quickly that it wasn’t just the enterprise companies being targeted by cyber-attacks. Below is Nationwide’s third annual survey, which shows the staggering statistics.
More than 20% of cyber attack victims spent at least $50,000, and took longer than six months to recover from the attack, according to Nationwide’s third annual survey of business owners. But 7% spent more than $100,000, and 5% took a year or longer to rebuild their reputation and customer trust. Nationwide’s survey found that 13% of business owners said they experienced a cyber attack. However, that number jumped to 58% total when owners were shown a list of attacks (see infographic) revealing a 45% gap and lack of understanding about what constitutes an actual attack. This is why Gartner (NYSE: IT) has projected that Cyber-Security spending will increase to $93 Billion dollars in 2018 with a steady increase for the next 5 years.
Planning your IT roadmap for 2018?
- Consult a Billow Solutions Executive to create a rock solid plan to dominate IT this year and for years to come.
- Audit your current vendor portfolio and learn about new technologies relevant to your business
- Reinvent the way you and your team procure, manage projects, and support your IT services.
About the Author
James Migliore is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at BillowIP. His goal is to help simplify information technology for his clients by serving as a valuable resource in procurement, project management, and IT support. You may get in contact with James through email: james@billowip.com or connect with him on LinkedIn
