Hybrid working is here to stay. With it comes increased online activity, information technology requirements and security threats. Simultaneously, costs are being squeezed and the regulatory landscape is changing at pace and scale.  We know uncertainty and turbulence will continue to impact organisations throughout 2022, but which trends will impact tech operations the most? In partnership with Tanium, we brought Nimbus Ninety members together to discuss what’s next for tech leaders in 2022.

To remain customer centric, enterprises must understand ever expanding volumes of data and it has become business critical to utilise a data architecture that best reflects the needs of employees and customers. Two approaches have traditionally dominated: the data warehouse and the data lake. Recently, a third contender has arrived: the data mesh.

Many organisations struggle with inconsistent infrastructure, inefficiencies and risks, and a need to modernise and secure data centres. With VMware Cloud on AWS, organisations are able to unlock new capabilities to drive new efficiencies, better consolidation of IT systems, and enhanced customer experience.

Companies need AI to accelerate innovation, assess business conditions and deliver new customer experiences. But today, many organisations have not yet bridged the gap between the promise of AI and real results.

Customers are used to speed and ease online. When an app doesn't load in seconds, this customer loyalty can be lost in seconds too. To deliver a frictionless CX every time and retain hard-won customers, performance testing throughout the development cycle is key.

61% of high-growth brands are shifting to a first-party data strategy.   What is a first-party data strategy? It’s a strategy that uses data collected directly with the unambiguous consent of customers. First-party data can come from a variety of online and offline interactions with customers. But in today’s digital world, first-party data often starts with first-party cookies. A first-party cookie is a code that automatically gets stored on a visitor’s computer when they browse a brand’s website. Sounds simple - so why are high-growth brands only beginning to shift to a first-party data strategy?  Digital marketers have traditionally relied on a third-party data strategy, underpinned by third-party cookies. Third-party cookies are created by domains that are not from the website that you’re visiting. They can be added to any website that loads the third-party server’s code. This has enabled third-parties cookies to collect vast amounts of data.  This broad reach has meant that third-party data has formed the bedrock of large scale digital marketing campaigns in recent years. It’s been transformative for brands because it’s allowed them to market to and re-target more current and prospective customers than ever before.  

The past 18 months have fundamentally changed how government operates. Government services, from large central departments to local councils, have had a mission-critical requirement to deliver cloud-first services. This has rapidly accelerated migration to the cloud. But it has not been a journey without challenges and IT leaders in government have innovated at pace to utilise and maximise its potential. 

Delivering frictionless CX has never been more important. In the last 18 months, we’ve seen widespread migration to online-first for customers across the globe. As a result, customer expectations online have rapidly shape-shifted. Today the customer experience really matters: 67% of customers claim they have higher CX standards than ever before. Yet simultaneously, 66% of enterprises say their customers demand stronger security and privacy. This presents a tricky question for business leaders. Should they prioritise a frictionless customer experience or a highly secure one?