Running enterprise software development projects has always been a dynamic experience for development teams worldwide. With 2022 at the door, new and emerging trends are becoming ever more prevalent. What exactly are the benefits of relying on enterprise software development as a methodology with its trends and intricacies?
- Increased automation and streamlined workflow within the final software solution
- Reduced operational costs, turnover, and mitigated error margins within the product
- Transformative, digitalization-oriented effects on the businesses using the software platform
- A reinvention of existing processes and integration of groundbreaking features and services
Following enterprise software development trends can allow businesses to stand out from their competitors and offer unique features to their clients via custom-made software solutions. So how does enterprise software development stack up in the coming year? Which trends and innovations can we look forward to in 2022?
1. Low-Code Development is Becoming Prevalent
With software development making its way into every facet of the corporate landscape, it’s no wonder that low-code platforms are gaining momentum. Low-code software development represents the process of coding and developing new apps or websites without any manual coding.
Web designers use Elementor when developing WordPress websites to create more feature-rich pages without any coding, for example. In the same vein, software developers use Parabola to make their coding experience as streamlined as possible. According to G2 data, 72% of businesses reported developing new software within 3 months of starting the enterprise software development process. Likewise, 70% of low-code users had no prior knowledge of software development and managed to wrap their heads around it in less than a month.
These platforms represent a turning point in software development, whether we talk about mobile and desktop apps or web-based platforms. In 2022, we can expect to see a shift from manual coding which will be reserved for high-level development to low-code solutions which more people can use.
2. Expansion of AR and VR Technology Adoption
Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) technologies have been on the open market for a long time but have gained even more momentum in 2020/21. The global pandemic has resulted in millions shifting toward immersive tech for their entertainment and learning experiences.
Based on Forbes findings, $12 billion was spent on buying AR/VR technology in 2020 by B2C customers, with 32% of them constantly using AR for shopping. In terms of enterprise software development, this poses an opportunity for B2C-centric companies. Taking full advantage of customers’ expectations is quite possible by introducing immersive features into existing software solutions.
Whether you’re piloting new software apps today or building on existing foundations and updating live apps, AR and VR features are worth your while. They can de facto increase the appeal of any software app or video game to which they’re introduced to. With revolutionary VR applications such as in the case of Valve’s Half-Life: Alyx, we can expect even more innovative, game-changing (pun-intended) trends to come out of immersive technologies.
3. Even Higher Emphasis on Cybersecurity Threat Aversion
Cybersecurity threats are a constant worry regardless of the business’ scale or industry in which they operate in. According to CSO data, 86% of cybersecurity intrusions in 2021 were financially motivated, with 49% of IT executives placing high emphasis on sensitive data protection. The cybersecurity solutions market is a lucrative one, and enterprise software development companies can benefit greatly from exploring it.
Addressing pressing pain points in the cybersecurity industry by creating new antivirus, anti-malware, and other solutions can be highly profitable. However, that such projects require talented professionals and IT engineers with the know-how on how to mitigate potential damages. Social hacking will unfortunately never go away as long as ground-level employees aren’t able to spot or predict whether web content is or isn’t malicious.
New and helpful cybersecurity-centric enterprise software development will be at the forefront in 2022, as companies race to patch security concerns for their clients. Time will tell however whether hackers and virus engineers will relent or see this as an opportunity to face new challenges and breakthrough new software solutions.
4. 5G-Powered Technologies Gain Momentum
Fifth-generation (5G) mobile technology will continue on an upward trend in 2022 due to its widespread implementation into modern devices. Statista research indicates that 69% of shipped smartphones will be 5G-enabled by 2023, with 5.83 billion active mobile subscriptions in 2020 ready to adopt it.
Given the benefits 5G brings to the table for existing mobile users and new adopters, software development companies can take advantage of that. Enabling your software app or platform to make full use of 5G features will become extremely important in the coming year. The competition in the enterprise software development market will become relentless as more and more companies race to meet market demands.
This will result in far faster connections with better stability and quality for end-users. For businesses, data sharing and transfers across great distances will become seamless and more convenient than ever before. 5G is the Internet of Things (IoT) friendly and enterprises would be smart to learn about its perks before 2022 rolls around.
5. Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Algorithms
AI has been an integral part of enterprise software development for years and its continued integration isn’t showing signs of slowing down. Adobe statistics show that 31% of new enterprises are about to adopt AI in 2022, with 72% of business leaders considering it a corporate advantage.
AI can find its way into software solutions in several significant ways already, including voice search, data parsing, and chatbot AI. Further improvements will be made on AI’s ability to personalize user experiences and to allow for easy access to any information the software app’s user needs. AI-friendly technologies like smartphones and PCs will enjoy a full range of these features in the coming year.
In the B2B sector, businesses can use AI in enterprise-level software development for internal programs and web platforms as well. These will help them handle generated data more accurately and predict market trends with better success. This will make further business development and investment decisions far more precise and risk-free as opposed to manual research and analysis of said data.
6. Trending Progressive and Hybrid App Development
PWA framework implementation has enabled software developers to create more dynamic and groundbreaking experiences for their users. Progressive and hybrid app development will thus increase in popularity as 2022 begins.
By relying on PWA, developers will be able to create more inclusive experiences for their userbases, especially on mobile platforms. Already there are thousands of developers who can vouch for PWA as the next big thing in enterprise software development.
However, developers should pick their development framework carefully so that the final product functions as intended by their clients. If the app is developed in-house and for internal staff utilization, such decisions should be made even more carefully. In opening the door for more unique and device-friendly apps, progressive and hybrid development has cemented its place in the coming year as a trend to look forward to.
7. Internet of Things (IoT) and its Transformative Effects
Internet of Things (IoT) technologies is, while not revolutionary today by any standards, quite prevalent in our everyday life. Enterprise software development will continue to make great use of IoT technologies to make their software apps more user-friendly and feature-rich.
Developing not only desktop, mobile, and web-based apps but also smart environments, wearables, and home utilities will become more streamlined. This will be to the benefit of B2C consumers as well as product developers who will take full advantage of new IoT-powered algorithms and software solutions.
Industries like healthcare, transportation, logistics, and retail will also gradually learn to implement these software app trends in client servicing and business management. What started as a means to make the world more interconnected will come that much closer to its ultimate goal with the arrival of 2022.
In Summary
The future of enterprise software development is certainly disruptive and filled with innovative solutions for all types of software apps. Whether you focus on mobile app development, immersive technologies like AR/VR, or work on AI, there’s plenty to look forward to in 2022.
All that remains is to take full advantage of market expectations and offer an original spin on wanting customers and clients want. Start thinking of new ways to break ground in enterprise software development today and reap the rewards of doing so as early as next year.