Matrix42, a top provider of software for workspace management, today revealed that Unified Endpoint Management tops the list of IT trends that companies will see in 2016. Other areas of IT that will have a major impact include mainstream adoption of wearables and smartwatches, Internet of Things, Social ITSM and workspace aggregation.

Oliver Bendig, CTO of Matrix42 has analysed the trends affecting the modern IT workspace and identified 10 key areas that companies will need to manage in 2016.

1. Adaptive workspace access
   The context-based provision of workspaces taking into account location, time, device or available bandwidth is set to play a dominant role in the coming months. Companies will use clever management tools to ensure employees have access to the right apps, documents and data at the right time and on the right device so that they can complete their tasks as simply as possible. This makes it possible to control access to sensitive data on a mobile device according to the site, for example, or automatically configure a printer at the current site.
2. Unified endpoint management
   Mobile and traditional devices have combined, meaning that integrated management of this indifferent situation using a uniform solution and a unified management process is becoming increasingly important. It is becoming more and more difficult to keep track of and manage the assignment of devices and applications, meaning that unified endpoint management is set to be on the IT agenda for 2016.
3. Virtual personal assistants/voice control
   Siri, Cortana and the likes are not only a part of our private lives; they have become so powerful that they are finding their way into working life. They already have the potential to develop into a type of personal assistant that helps deal with e-mails and implementing appointments. The ability to control management tasks (for example, block/update devices) using voice control surely cannot be far behind.
4. Wearables and smartwatches
   Smartwatches and wearables have become more than just status symbols; they have developed into an extension of the workspace. Data capture and transmission methods using wearables established in the health sector and the production and logistics industries are set to become widely accepted in other industries in the near future. Gartner predicts that five million smartwatches will be in use in the enterprise environment by 2018, and it will be necessary to manage and secure these devices.
5. Social ITSM
   The key features of social networks have become indispensable in many areas. This also applies to IT service management, which is set to shift more towards interaction next year. Concepts like ‘employees help employees' and interactive knowledge platforms are on the rise and N-1 or N-N communications with hashtags are becoming ubiquitous.
6. Licence management for the cloud/mobile first era
   Companies are increasingly relying on mobile and SaaS applications. As a result, it is necessary to consider licence management in the mobile/cloud era, as the new apps generate a new level of complexity when it comes to licence management and indeed potential cost optimisations for the companies, for example, usage analyses for SaaS apps like Office 365, Salesforce and Citrix GoToMeeting. As a result, licence management for the cloud is set to play a key role in 2016.
7. Workspace aggregation
   Working methods and workspaces are changing so rapidly that Gartner has started to call this workspace aggregation. The browser is establishing itself as the new operating system, as it is becoming increasingly important to link apps, data, information, services and identities in a context-based manner.
8. Predictive workspace analytics
   Predictions and simulations on workspaces and the associated processes are gaining in significance. This is because relationships are becoming more complex and investments (budget, personnel) are increasing. It is helpful for IT managers to be able to simulate recurring tasks or lengthy processes like rollouts in advance. High incident rates at the Service Desk are another example, Many companies are also interested in conducting simulations of licence adaptations in order to identify savings potential and compliance implications, as this saves both time and costs.
9. Internet of Things/Services
   Like smartwatches and wearables, the Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming increasingly established in working life. It is possible to improve numerous processes in logistics and production through automated communication of devices and sectors. IoT also generates significant added value in the traditional office area, for example, by integrating traditional workspace management with home automation systems. This way, it is possible to optimise the preparation and implementation of meetings, including automation of the telephone system, light control and the projectors. In combination with the functions of voice control, IoT is set to rapidly evolve into a powerful business tool and simplify the use of IT in companies.
10. Windows 10 universal apps
    The advantage of Windows 10 universal apps is that there is just one code for all device types. This will soon lead to an exponential increase in the programming and distribution of apps, both for private life and business life.