Forbes's Five Technologies to Integrate into Businesses

Internet of Things

Forbes mentions smart lights, smart thermostats and connected security cameras as IoT technologies, and goes on to explain that more enterprise-level technology will be developed in the near future. As IoT evolves, things like data entry will become non-human tasks.

I covered Internet of Things extensively in a recent feature article. IoT is going to do so much more than eliminate data entry. It will collect data and streamline processes so quickly that the workplace will never look the same, and jobs descriptions will change with the integration of IoT devices. The thing is, we don’t really know when these ideas are going to be a legitimate reality, to where businesses can actually use the products. Yes, begin thinking about IoT and all it can do for your business. However, don’t expect it to change your lives until the tech matches up with the theories. We’ll let you know when that happens.

3D Printing

Forbes mentions while 3D printing has its roots in enterprise, specifically in manufacturing where it is being used for rapid prototyping. 3D printing has recently expanded to consumer spaces as well, from hardware startups to fashion designers.

All true, but not sure the real-world application outside of those spaces. 3D printing will be huge for research and development, manufacturing, and small-business consumers trying to create products. Outside of that, I don’t really see a day-to-day business benefit that makes it a must-have for any business. This is more of a niche technology that will be extremely beneficial to the few, and all but obsolete to the many.

Wearables

Wearables, as Forbes mentions, have been largely integrated into fitness and health tracking to date. Forbes sees it presenting employees with additional mobility, accessibility and freedom over how they work. In addition, promoting employee health and wellness can be beneficial to companies.

Let’s see how wearables evolve in the coming years, but I can see some true benefits to companies moving forward. Smart glasses could grow to incorporate collaboration and presentation, where a blank wall could be the display and the actual content could be shown through the wearable. Smart watches could hold data and connect to wireless systems to display that data on a screen. Once the consumer-level benefits begin getting tapped dry, wearable manufacturers will start taking a hard look at enterprise-level capabilities. We’re not there yet, but I can definitely see wearables becoming a fantastic technology for companies to integrate into practices.

Original article from Forbes.com.