The field of information technology encompasses a broad range of different jobs and consequently draws from a varied and diverse skills pool. As technology becomes ever more ubiquitous in our personal and professional lives, it is being utilized to perform a variety of different functions, some of which we couldn’t have imagined previously. As we enter the second half of 2017 and gear up for 2018, now is a good time to review which sectors of the IT market are likely to experience the most growth over the next year. Below is a list of some of the most important sectors for industry observers to keep an eye on.
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VoIP
VoIP (Voice over IP) is the technology which underpins services such as Skype, allowing voice communications to be sent and received over the internet. VoIP services have become increasingly popular with both consumers and with businesses. Consumers enjoy the convenience of free and fast voice communications, while businesses can take advantage of VoIP services to conduct conference calls amongst individuals who are many miles apart physically.
Data Management
Because we are now generating more data than ever before and because of increasing awareness of privacy concerns, the question of how to most appropriately gather, store, and utilize personal data is one which triggers frequent and passionate debates. There are now a variety of different degree options and potential career paths whose primary focus is on the ethics, legal obligations, and practicalities of storing and utilizing very large data sets.
One example of this new trend is the MSHI (master of science in health informatics), which is focused on how to gather and store healthcare related data in a hospital setting. All such data collection and usage is subject to increasingly strict regulation designed to ensure patient confidence remains high and that personal data is not at risk from unauthorized intrusion. The online MSHI degree, such as that offered by Adelphi University, is one of the many online degrees that has seen a surge in demand in recent years. An online masters in health informatics is a fantastic choice for those who are looking to switch career paths to something IT-related and offers graduates the opportunity to make a tangible difference to people’s lives by improving hospital procedures and patient care.
E-commerce
The juggernaut that is the e-commerce industry seems to be moving from strength to strength. Some analysts are predicting that by 2020 the market will be worth some $4 trillion or so. E-commerce has evolved a great deal from the early days when it consisted of a lone company called Amazon who were using the newly invented internet as a platform through which to sell books. Now, one can purchase just about any imaginable product somewhere on the internet, from land and automobiles to books, games, and music.
The IT industry remains at the heart of our everyday lives and is now a feature of just about every other industry on the planet. It is impossible to overstate the impact that IT has had and continues to have on all aspects of our lives, making it one of the most versatile areas of study in existence.
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