Trend Radar Smart Data 2024/2025

When asked which topic dominated the past year, you don't have to think twice in the smart data environment this time. It was clearly artificial intelligence! For our customers, the main issue was how AI can be integrated into operational processes in a meaningful and beneficial way. This question often arose from pressure from management to implement AI in the company at all costs.  

In this trend radar for smart data, we shed light on which other topics were important and which trends have emerged for the coming year.

Finding your way through the technology jungle

The many new possibilities offered by AI not only generated a great deal of curiosity within companies, but also a certain "pressure to innovate". This was further intensified by the parallel increase in cost pressure. However, in view of the many new technologies, tools and offerings in this area, many companies found it difficult to decide which approach was the right one.  

The top 3 topics of 2024:

• Generative AI: Artificial intelligence was the trending topic par excellence. The sensible use of generative AI became particularly important in the business environment.
• Automation: In times of tight budgets, the topic of automation has become even more of a focus in order to reduce costs through more efficient processes.
• Innovation boom: In view of the enormous number of new tools and technologies (with similar-sounding service offerings), companies found it increasingly difficult to keep track and select the right tools for their specific needs and available resources.

The companies were therefore faced with the challenge of understanding completely new approaches, weighing up the pros and cons for their particular situation and requirements and making the right choice. It was also important not to lose sight of the interests and skills of their own employees in order to keep the switching costs for internal training courses low, for example. This was hardly feasible without independent external expertise. On the technology side, it was also necessary to ensure that all new and existing tools would later work together seamlessly.

Data platforms such as Microsoft Fabric, which were already a major topic in 2023, were therefore still very present in 2024. In this context, our customers primarily wanted to learn more about MS Fabric in comparison to SAP Datasphere. And in each case in conjunction with relatively new topics such as Generative AI. This led to an extremely high learning curve in 2024 for both customers and consultants, with many new experiences and impressions.

Outlook for the year 2025

We assume that last year's developments and trends will continue in the new year and gain further momentum. In 2025, the main challenge in the smart data sector will be not only to create the technological prerequisites for innovative approaches, but also to keep an eye on the organizational requirements and effects.

The 3 top trends for the year 2025

• Generative AI: Companies will try to use Gen AI even more to optimize and automate their processes.
• Maturity assessment: Analysis and evaluation of the respective company situation to identify the exact requirements and suitable solutions.
• Data architectures: Holistic data platforms such as MS Fabric and SAP Datasphere will continue to gain in importance.  

In order to position themselves successfully and future-proof with the help of new technologies, companies must first of all be aware of their own processes, possible weaknesses and optimization potential. Only then does it make sense to talk about the right tools and data architectures. Maturity assessment workshops can provide important impetus in this regard - feel free to contact us! We look forward to shaping the new year together with you in the direction of smart data excellence.