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Consumers don’t always lead the way: The pendulum swings back to enterprise innovation

It marks a shift away from a decade-long trend of the consumerisation of IT, when mass adoption of technologies like large screen smartphones and tablets started with consumer adoption first.  This year, the adoption of technology like 3D printing, drones and the Internet of Things (IoT) will be driven by meeting the needs of business rather than consumers.

Some innovative New Zealand companies are paying close attention, helping enterprise and their customers unlock new value from these trends. Kiwi startup MyWave, for example, is helping to reimagine digital business models and customer experiences that take advantage of evolving technology.  After all, it’s not the technology but the services and experiences around it that creates value.

3D printing is a revolution: Just not the revolution you think

In 2015 nearly 220,000 3D printers will be sold worldwide, with a dollar value of $1.6 billion, but it is unlikely that there will be a “factory in every home.” Deloitte estimates about 80 percent of the value of all 3D printers will be for companies instead of consumers, meaning the real revolution will be in the enterprise market.

Drones: high-profile and niche

In 2015, drones will have multiple industrial and civil government applications. Deloitte predicts sales of non-military drones (also known as unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs), to be about 300,000 units, driving the installed base to over a million. Although consumers or prosumers will buy the majority, most of the real value will come from enterprise use.

The Internet of Things really is things, not people

In 2015, over 60 percent of the one billion global wireless IoT devices will be bought, paid for and used by enterprises – despite media focus on consumers controlling their thermostats, lights, and appliances (ranging from washing machines to tea kettles). The IoT-specific hardware is predicted to be worth $10 billion, but the big story is the enterprise services enabled by the devices: about $70 billion.

To find out the other TMT predictions for 2015, visit www.deloitte.com/Predictions2015.

Now in its 14th year, Deloitte’s annual Global TMT Predictions provides a 12-18 month outlook on key trends in the technology, media and telecommunications industry worldwide.

Mark Talbot is a Deloitte Private partner

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