RHT: 9 Next Big Tech Buzzwords

by Monica Nakamine
September 12, 2014  Robert Half Technology





Buzzwords or buzzkills?

Remember when the term “big data” was a big mystery? Now it’s as pervasive as Facebook users – and so 2012. What newer terms are on the verge of buzzworthiness – and what do they mean?
While some tech terms may never see the light of day beyond IT departments, R&D labs or high-tech meetups, others become part of the general vernacular. What term will be the next “big data”?

Below are a few options that are good contenders for buzzword greatness:

1. Mobile device management (MDM)

   What is it?
   A type of security software used to monitor, manage and secure employees’ mobile devices that are deployed across multiple service providers and operating systems.
   Is it buzzworthy?
   With the proliferation of the various types of mobile devices that we own, MDM is becoming common practice among companies. Similar to “big data,” a model for individuals might send this term to prime time.

2. Next-generation firewall (NGF)

   What is it?
   Combines application awareness and deep packet inspection to give companies more control over applications while also detecting and blocking malicious threats.
   Is it buzzworthy?
   As the fight against hacking continues, how will NGFs measure up? The next major security breach might put NGFs in the spotlight.

3. Nth screen

   What is it?
   Technology that displays video content on many different screens; particularly multiple, synchronized screens.
   Is it buzzworthy?
   No matter where you turn, there’s a screen. You probably own a screen, but how many screens one person owns– and across various devices – can be limitless. If it’s a take on “Nth degree,” will “Nth screen” have a similar shelf life?

4. SoLoMo

   What is it?
   Short for social-local-mobile; refers to the trend toward localized content that is shared on social media and accessible through mobile devices.
   Is it buzzworthy?
   SoLoMo has been around for a while. With the upsurge in social, local, mobile content, this term is relevant. But will it ever get off the ground? Or has it reached its full potential?

5. Service oriented architecture (SOA)

   What is it?
   The underlying structure supporting communications between services or computing entities, enabling one entity to perform work on behalf of the other entity.
   Is it buzzworthy?
   This might be a buzzword that remains within IT circles, but a buzzword nonetheless. The trend toward greater flexibility for productivity – even among programs and computers – doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

6. Web-scale IT

   What is it?
   The way data centers and software architectures are designed to incorporate multi-dimensional concepts, including scalability, consistency, tolerance, versioning, etc.
   Is it buzzworthy?
   Web-scale IT is no longer limited to the big tech giants – mainstream enterprises are able to take advantage of this approach. And as it saturates industries, will it become standard practice?

7. DevOps

   What is it?
   The practice of operations and development engineers participating together in the entire service lifecycle – from design through the development process to production support.
   Is it buzzworthy?
   What?! Different engineering disciplines working together? What a concept! But if it will make a positive difference in how a product is designed, developed or supported, the trend will become mainstream.

8. Yottabyte

   What is it?
   One septillion bytes; beyond terabytes, petabytes and exabytes.
   Is it buzzworthy?
   Most companies are nowhere near storing yottabytes of data, but it’s only a matter of time.

9. Hybrid clouds

   What is it?
   An integrated cloud service that utilizes both private and public clouds to perform functions with the same organization.
   Is it buzzworthy?
   If the usage of hybrid clouds will extend the enterprise to deliver a specific business service, more power to them. But what if a security breach takes place on either the private or public side or some other catastrophe happens? Is that it for hybrid clouds? Or, will they morph into something else?

Which term is destined to become a buzzword? What would you add to the list?