2020 was certainly an interesting year with a lot of disruptions. Some of these disruptions changed the way work and live, demanding new software solutions for our professional and personal lives. Technology like 5G, VR, AI, and IoT were already big topics of discussion in 2020, and will likely continue to lead the way in 2021. Here are five areas of life where software and tech will make big waves:

• Healthcare

• Online Gaming

• Privacy and Security

• Work and Productivity

• The Internet of Things

Let’s take a look at each of them now.

Healthcare

2020 saw the advent of the COVID Pandemic. Dozens of different companies raced toward a vaccination, along with ancillary hardware and software for tracking the spread of the virus, such as field testing kits. Pandemic shutdowns have increased reliance on virtual doctoring through telemedicine. And the urgency of addressing the pandemic plays right into the increasingly prominent role of health data—that is, the migration of paper medical records to the cloud. Some experts estimate that the healthcare data market will reach almost $69 billion in value in 2025, sextupling its value since 2016. AI and machine learning will also continue to play bigger roles in patient treatment, from diagnosis to surgery.

Online Gaming

The online gaming industry is expected to reach $196 billion in revenue by 2022. To put that in perspective, the 30 teams in the MLB generated around $11 billion in revenue in 2019 (before the COVID pandemic), and the NFL generated around $15 billion. That said, the entertainment offerings of companies like Activision Blizzard, Ubisoft, and Epic Games have already surpassed outdoor sporting (you know...like ones involving a ball and grass). Say what you will about the health deficits of competing on a screen instead of a field, but traditional players like Nintendo and Sony have already seen the value and are joining the game. Virtual reality, augmented reality, and real time personalization will only increase the appeal of online gaming.

Privacy and Security

The interconnectivity of our world demands new solutions for privacy and security, especially in areas like finance and personal data. In the realm of securing customer data, an increasing number of banks are turning to a corollary of digital currency: blockchain. The idea of blockchain is the decentralization of data along a consensus built chain, so that no one party can change or hack into the accumulated data. Blockchain will also become a useful method of data storage in other industries built on sensitive user data, like healthcare. Moreover, the COVID crisis and the increased shift to a cyber world has resulted in an increase in cyber criminality. Companies looking to thrive in a digital landscape will need to take advantage of the security services that can thwart disruptions.

Work and Productivity

One silver lining to the COVID cloud may be the elimination of the workday commute, perhaps forever (though they say never say never). Many companies are embracing the cost benefits of keeping employees home, but this means a greater reliance on video conferencing and software that facilitates workflow and productivity. Moreover, the symphony of software suites used by most businesses has created a secondary industry of data migration and back-end synchronization, helping companies avoid the headache of lost data and (ironically) decreased productivity. The shift to remote work is part of a greater trend of going paperless, as companies move HR management and payroll tasks to cloud based services offered by the likes of major players like SAP, ADP, Oracle, and Workday.

The Internet of Things

Life becomes easier when you can turn off the oven you forgot was on—because your car just asked you what’s cooking at home. IoT will not just change the way we live at home, but entire industries around the world; the connectivity of devices over a wireless network will become a 1.1 trillion dollar industry by 2022. The strength of 5G networks and the rapid real time processing of data with edge computing will facilitate that continued spread of IoT. These new technologies will certainly change the face of manufacturing, increasing efficiency and safety. In the consumer facing end of the economy, IoT will improve customer experience and data collection, helping businesses make better decisions and provide better services.

How will you fit into 2021?

As you can see, 2021 is shaping up already to be an exciting year in terms of tech developments. These changes will be led by the software industry, and that means plenty of software sales professionals will be needed by companies of all shapes and sizes. As a software sales recruiter with almost 40 years of experience, I feel confident that I can help place you in your next role—so reach out by emailing me at mike@michaelblair.com. Let's see if 2021 can be a better year for you than 2020, personally and professionally in terms of software sales.