As we drift back to work after our summer holidays I'd like to welcome you to 2018, which I predict will bring an increasing rate of technology change for business.

Have you given any thought yet to how technology can be put to use to improve your business?

There are some great opportunities for affordable technology for small businesses, not for profits and in particular for organisations in the aged care sector. The rapid pace of change and myriad of choices in technology can make it feel complex and overwhelming.

Wiser Technology Advice is here to help, simplifying the complex and connecting you with technology and advice that's right for you. Get in touch with me today to explore your options for 2018.

Technology trend predictions for 2018

We've been talking about digital disruption for some time now but that was just the start… the future is here!

Voice Activated Smart devices were a hot trend at this year's Consumer Electronics Show. We're going to see increased use of smart technology in homes, such as remote door unlocking, security, home automation and especially the voice recognition in devices like Google Home and Amazon Alexa. These aren't difficult to set up, all you need is a smart phone and a bit of tech savvy.

But whilst smart devices are the way of the future for in-home aged care services, they must be used sensitively. Check out this rather droll video, Uninvited Guests, that explores the frictions between an elderly man and his smart home.

Driverless shuttle buses would be a fabulous innovation to introduce in retirement villages - particularly when they're built on sloping sites. We hosted a test of driverless shuttle buses here in Adelaide over the River Torrens footbridge in November 2017 and we've introduced driverless shuttle buses at Adelaide Airport and Flinders University. A partnership between innovators and aged care organisations could make introduction of this technology affordable.

The NBN is coming, ready or not. 2018 will see an increasing number of business and private residences having the landline phone lines disconnected in suburbs where the NBN has been introduced and the deadline for switching to the new technology passes. There have been so many stories shared in 2017 about incredibly frustrating experiences of switching over to the NBN, with multiple providers involved and no-one taking responsibility for the outcome for the customer. If you've chosen a good plan and a good retailer, the NBN, once connected, can produce magical results with lightening fast internet. It all depends on how much you're willing to spend each month, so think carefully about your needs and research the reputation of the internet retailer before signing up to a plan.

Cloud computing has become a trusted standard and is increasingly viable as we get decent internet speeds through the NBN. 2018 will see the transition for small business to embrace cloud technology even more. As we get a better understanding of how it works and the value it provides, there will be a shift away from small business maintaining their own systems and servers on site, instead trusting cloud computing providers to manage their systems and information.

The future is here!

Whether or not we're ready for it, technology is rapidly evolving.

We have fabulous opportunities to take advantage of the new technology, limited only by our imaginations. Get in touch with me today to explore your options!