2014 Technology Predictions | Walnut Creek Computer Networking

5 Technology Predictions for 2014

1) Many small businesses will continue to switch to Google Apps, a full-featured suite of applications which is delivered online, accessible through a web browser and is one of Google’s hottest offerings. The price for Google apps is $5.00 / user per month. Now integrated with Google Drive, any document can be synced between multiple devices in similar fashion to Dropbox using Google Apps.

Key feature: Calendar. I switched to Google Apps because of the calendar, which is easy to share, update and access from any device.

2) Most of the remaining small businesses who are currently running their own Microsoft Exchange servers (or Small Business Servers) will switch to using Hosted Microsoft Exchange, which is available for approximately $5.00 per account per month from multiple providers.

Key feature: It’s easy to move your current MS Exchange accounts or Outlook email data to hosted MS Exchange and you can still use Outlook as an email client.

3) Some businesses that need Hosted Microsoft Exchange really need more and many will get it from Office 365 in 2014. Office 365 includes Exchange, several hosted applications from Microsoft and can also include MS Office productivity applications. Compare Office 365 Plans for Business here.

Key feature: Most Office 365 plans entitle you to the latest Office applications lower cost than if you purchased these applications directly from Microsoft. It’s really like renting these apps vs. buying them.

4) Businesses will actually be purchasing (and using) computer with Windows 8 installed, especially now that there are ways to bypass the default Windows 8 tile screen and get the Start button back, such as the

Iobit Windows 8 Start Menu.

Additionally, the Microsoft Surface Pro tablet provides full Windows features and runs all the existing applications that we have become familiar with. It also has USB ports (unlike iPad) and can connect to many peripherals in this manner.

5) Security breaches, like the massive breach at Target that exposed millions of debit and credit card numbers

, will continue. That’s the risk of having so much valuable data in one place and not under your control. It’s a big target for hackers.

My recommendation: Use a credit card when shopping, not a debit card. If a credit card is compromised, the money taken is not yours, it is the credit card company’s. A debit card transaction draws directly from your account.