2020 has been an enormous year for digital business, taking existing promise and potential and raising it to new heights. The myriad technologies involved with business can be confusing, however, and that’s what we want to examine today. With some examples of their common uses, there are four of the biggest and best business tools which stood out the most in 2020.
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Video Conference Streaming
Of all the tech tools we’ve seen gain explosive popularity in 2020, none have been as visible in the mainstream as video conferencing systems. Most notably illustrated by Zoom, these have become the backbone of many businesses able to operate at a distance.
With basic video calling and display sharing features, these exist beyond the bounds of just communication, also stepping into the realm of basic file management. In a real sense, this type of software exists as more of an extension and collation of existing tools than anything else. What made it popular was a combination of necessity and user-friendliness.
Older tools that could have provided similar solutions have been by the wayside for years, largely owing to businesses taking an ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ approach. In this, video conferencing tools might have recently opened doors to efficiency which otherwise could have remained closed for years to come.
Remote Desktop
For more involved direct use of another system, remote desktop software had seen a similar boost in adoption. Already popular for many uses including system repair and server-file management, these tools like SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support are seeing increasing use in day-to-day business operations. Essentially, modern remote desktop systems such as these allow any modern device to take control of another from any distance. If necessary, this could come from the other side of the planet. Simple use here could involve moving files between a host device and your own.
For more involved projects, remote desktops could give a user access to the software they cannot run directly from home, for last-minute adjustments or larger work sessions.
As with video conferencing, a big part of the success of this technology comes from its promise of finally meeting demand. In this instance, it was high-bandwidth and low-latency connections which have made this technology not just viable, but reliable and efficient.
Cloud Storage
Aiding in both video conference streaming and remote desktop use are the various platforms which support cloud storage. Google Drive and Dropbox are popular examples of this, acting as a far more effective and secure method of data transference than traditional physical means.
With cloud storage systems, a person or entire groups of people can have access to one centralized drive or set of drives. This means that group projects and databases are always available without the need for scheduling or ensuring server availability. Cloud storage can also serve to backup data. This not only protects against data loss but can also help maintain change-logs in case previous versions of files or databases need to be accessed.
5G Connectivity
A newcomer to the business world, 5G’s use as a business tool is still yet to prove. Though early in its lifespan, 5G’s promise for mobile work is immense in any data-intensive application. Again, this could tie into the previous tools, enabling them in areas they couldn’t reach before, and further contributing to their speed and viability.
Probably the most useful form of 5G integration with business will come for mobile use with laptops and specialized tools. With a massive boost to bandwidth possible compared to 4G networks, 5G allows server-level performance from anywhere within the growing 5G mobile network. In emergencies, this could also serve as a backup in cases where landlines are lost.
As with any technology, the real test is that of time. In some cases, technology becomes a flash in the pan, but in the above instances, we feel a longer-lasting impression is guaranteed. These developments aren’t just great for distance workers either, as they could also become an indispensable component of the increasingly digital business world.
Even if you don’t use these systems directly, chances are that their benefits will in some way affect the way you work. Whether saving time with video conferencing or remote desktops to speeding up operations through 5G or cloud data solutions, greater efficiency is an extremely likely result. These technologies might have seen an explosion in 2020, but they’re only going to get better.