Ask the Expert

Technology Trends: What to drop and what to adopt in 2025

It can feel impossible to keep up with the latest technology trends in business, let alone understand which ones can positively impact the success of your organisation.

Nick Potter, Managing Director at Select Technology provides his top technology tips for the year ahead.

Q: Nick, what technology should businesses leave in 2024?

A: As technology evolves, some digital tools lose their relevance and effectiveness. In 2025, businesses should take a close look at any legacy systems they have, as outdated hardware and software can hinder growth as well as expose companies to security risks. We also encourage IT leaders to consider moving from on-premise servers and storage to cloud solutions, like Microsoft 365 and Azure, which offers scalability, flexibility, and enhanced security, making them a more efficient choice for data storage.

Q: Which latest technology trends should businesses prioritise this year?

A: This one’s easy. It’s got to be AI. We use Microsoft’s AI tool, Copilot, and it has genuinely improved the way we work. For me, the ability to transcribe and then recap on Teams meetings is invaluable. It means I can keep track of decisions and next steps really easily. I also use Copilot to help me get an overview of my week, the priorities and items to prepare for.

Q: Is there a way to benefit from technology without significant investment?

A: Absolutely. One thing we support our clients with is making the most of the technology they already have. For example, there is so much under-used functionality in Microsoft 365. Just take a look at microsoft365.com.

We love that you can launch apps like Copilot, SharePoint and OneDrive from there. It will also show you your most recently worked on files, most frequent SharePoint sites and more. It saves so much time shuffling through file structures to find what you need.

Q: Should businesses still be concerned about cybersecurity?

A: Sadly, yes. With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, businesses must invest in advanced cybersecurity measures to safeguard their operations. Traditional IT services with standard antivirus solutions are no longer enough to deal with today’s cyber threats, that’s why we integrate the latest cybersecurity tools in our standard IT support package.

One simple thing business leaders can do today to help them stay ahead of the cyber criminals is set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) as it provides an additional layer of security, reducing the risk of cyber-attacks and data breaches.

Q: How can businesses stay ahead of tech trends in the future?

A: Work with us! In seriousness, it is really important for business leaders to stay up to date with the latest digital enhancements. No-one wants to be trailing behind their competitors or leaving themselves vulnerable to risk!

You can subscribe to newsletters, attend conferences, and engage with thought leaders on social media to stay informed about emerging technologies and trends. And don’t forget to encourage your team to embrace innovation and experiment with new ideas.