Sci-fi movies from as recent as 10 years ago seem startlingly familiar in today’s world as we close the gap between fiction and reality. Thanks to evolving technologies, new industries are being created that have never before been seen in human history. As the demand increases for ever evolving technology so does the need for a better, more secure workspace that’ll maximize productivity and seamlessly integrate the human and machine workforce. Here are just a few ways that 2019 is improving the workplace and the consumer experience.

AI and the Work Environment

As any office manager will tell you, an uncomfortable work environment leads to less productivity. Companies, such as a managed services company, help companies remedy this problem with AI. In today’s office, smart technology can adjust the temperature of the room, the lighting, window tint and even the height of the chair in anticipation. These efforts create a comfortable work environment that fosters creativity and productivity.  By utilizing a technology services company, companies and employers now have the option to create an intuitive work environment that extends beyond just how hot the room is or if it’s sunny. 

Many of us are already familiar with the iPhone’s Siri or Google Voice Assistant for Android, and that both can respond to hands free voice commands. In 2019 this technology can be utilized by office spaces thanks to intuitive AI. A voice command or a gesture can prepare an individual’s office for their arrival by adjusting everything from the pictures on their desktop to signing into applications in order to prevent a delay due to logging in. Soon AI will even be able to warn employees when they are spending too much time browsing the internet during the day.

Autonomous Things and the Workplace

Whether people realize it or not, autonomous things have been a part of the human experience for a while now. Examples include vacuums, check-in at hotels, self-cleaning litter boxes, and even toy pets. Autonomous things are robots that can operate with relatively little interaction with humans. As this field continues to evolve, opportunities for new and re-imagined industries are emerging. These changes have a major impact on many different industries.

For example, in 2019 self-driving cars are inching closer to being commonplace. Though car manufacturers shouldn’t expect a drastic shift from a manned car to a self-driving car in a single year, this growth facilitates the need for more AI programming and specialized companies that can create and constantly improve the technology. Another example is drones. Though 2018 saw some companies experimenting with drone package delivery, this industry will become a bigger part of life in 2019 as companies use them to deliver everything from the mail to pizza. 

Though this trend of autonomous things may be alarming for some companies, the initial knee-jerk reaction that employees will be without a job isn’t quite accurate. As these technologies become more popular, so will the need for managed services jobs that can help a managed services company implement changes and then oversee the operations.

Internet of Things

Siri, Google Assistant and Cortana: What do these three services have in common? They are all examples of the internet of things (abbreviated IoT). A new term, IoT is technology that can share information with multiple devices. For years we have been familiar with this technology thanks to smart phones, smart watches and smart appliances that customize our homes to our schedules and needs. 

Perhaps one of the most notable IoT developments and anticipated growths in 2019 is IoT in the automotive industry. Though we aren’t at the point of self-driving cars yet, today’s smart cars can tell consumers how the car is doing on their smart phone. Information such as fluid and tire levels can be provided to the consumer, along with the ability to control the door locks, lights and other systems. Companies that provide these services, and take advantage of a technology services company to help implement them, can expect to see a significant profit in the coming years as consumers and car manufacturers shift to integrate more AI into their day to day lives.

How Blockchain Can Change Business

Though many larger companies may not see blockchain as a positive innovation, in 2019 it could potentially be very profitable for small businesses, self employed individuals and artists of all types. For those unfamiliar with blockchain, it is a chain of blocks and inside each block is a time stamped record of information. Each block is connected to the neighboring block, hence the name. It is decentralized so it is virtually impossible for cybercriminals to corrupt the information, and it is free for anyone to access. Though blockchain originally was designed for bitcoin transactions, it has so much potential in today’s world and so far in 2019 companies are already being created to help teach consumers how to use and implement blockchain.

For example, imagine that a woman named Jill self published a book on a popular website. She charges $5 and after the website takes their cut, will receive $1 in royalties. With blockchain technology, Jill can promote her book on her own site, or on book review sites and can use blockchain to host her book and accept payment for it. She doesn’t have to trust another institution with her creation or wait months for her royalty payment from said entity.

Individuals and companies have seen an explosion of technology in recent years and in 2019, the momentum isn’t lost. As AI becomes more commonplace in the workplace, so does everything that entails. Employees no longer have to feel stuck and stagnant in an uncomfortable office. Delivery services soon won’t be battling traffic to get products to their customers faster, only high winds. And, our cars are only getting smarter and more intuitive to our needs and what we need to do. With this explosion of growth also comes blockchain, a new and innovative way to share information. It’s an exciting time to be a technology services company and with the growth of these industries, more and more managed services jobs will become available to an enthusiastic workforce.