Custom software development is the infrastructure that supports businesses all over the world in a wide variety of industries. In Canada alone, a 2019 survey found that well over 80% of businesses heavily relied on information technology as well as communication technology (pre-pandemic). When the time came that everyone was forced to continue their operations remotely, the reliance built to a point of dependency.

Now, here we are 4 years later and the growing demand for IT services has resulted in Software Architects, Cloud Engineers, and Full-Stack Developers being among the highest in-demand workers for 2023.

Why Do Businesses Need to Know This?

The types of software projects and teams needed to complete them will look very different from one business to the next. For example, a company could need a dedicated team, or simply a project taken over, someone may want to develop an app, and others may even need an entire process automation system built from the ground up.

Software development is still a broad topic that’s at the beginning of the road in terms of the impact it’s meant to have. With that in mind, it’s critical to be aware of what’s at the center for discussion when it comes to software development in 2023, so here are 5 key points to be aware of:

1) Low-Code No-Code (LC/NC): 

Software development is a highly complex process that encounters challenges and can take a lot of time depending on the scope of the project. LC/NC adoption has become popular in recent years as a means of adjusting to the new-age demands of software development and mitigating the complications. 

What this does is enable the creation of applications using templates, pre-built modules, and drag-and-drop features. For these applications to perform without LC/NC, the process would be very long and daunting. A few examples of LC/NC applications include Squarespace, Wix, WordPress, Shopify, and Mailchimp. 

As of last year, around 50% of programmers were using LC/NC to some capacity and reports have shown that everyone who has implemented it has seen ROI.

2) The Prevalence of Cloud Computing:

With the pandemic making remote work the norm for most businesses, cloud computing became the saving grace for many shifting IT demands. It offers a centralized hub for data storage as well as accessibility. 

Beyond simply storing information, cloud computing enables important functions like instant messaging, hosting, as well as disaster recovery (to name a few). A good reason to pay attention to cloud computing in 2023 is the fact that the technology is becoming more mainstream, especially for top talent and remote work which is the norm for around 70% of full-time workers. 

Before last year closed out, the total service spending for cloud computing topped $217 billion. This begs the question: what will this spending look like in the next 5 years? With how digitized the corporate world is becoming, this market could surge dramatically— more so than it already is.

3) The Reign of Artificial Intelligence 

Likely among the biggest buzzwords of 2023 is “Artificial Intelligence” due largely to the introduction of platforms like Chat-GPT and now rivalry application Google Bard. 

AI is pushing the parameters of what people thought was possible with technology and it’s really just becoming accepted by the public. This trend is going to be a significant player in everyone's lives this year.

When it comes to software development, AI offers solutions and methodologies that can enhance the performance of IT systems immeasurably. It reduces errors and boosts process efficiency in addition to its ability to completely personalize an experience for users. 

There is also AI-assisted coding which is a topic for discussion that requires far more detail than we could cover here. But what’s important to note is that investing in the AI market isn’t just for tech companies, even the vast majority of hospitals have plans to use AI. 

You get the picture when it comes to AI at this point. A lot is changing and everyone needs to be prepared for it. The AI market is set to break half a trillion dollars by next year which likely isn’t even a third of what it will be worth in the next decade. 

4) Cyber Security

Cyberattacks are a daunting topic in the IT world, especially when it comes to small to mid-size companies, as they are the most commonly targeted. As more businesses recognize the risk, research predicts that around 65% of the global population will have their data protected by modern privacy regulations this year.

Is this necessary? Absolutely. There’s a vast amount of personal, nevermind confidential business data that could be subject to interference by black hat hackers which is incredibly dangerous. The reliance on systems, like that of cloud computing, demands that any and all vulnerabilities be covered. 

5) IoT Devices

The internet of things (IoT) has been a key area of technology for people to focus on for over a decade now. In 2023, with the advanced capabilities of software development and breakthrough discoveries in technology, these devices are about to become more common and powerful than ever. 

Smartphones, smartwatches, fitness trackers, computerized bikes and scooters are just some of the popular IoT technology trends. Within the next 2 years, it is estimated that we could see more than 26 billion interconnected IoT devices. 

IoT devices rely on professional software engineering to provide the experience they’re meant to for users. The reason an apple watch can sync up with an iPhone is a result of the seamless performance of IoT software systems.

The Takeaway

What’s popular when it comes to software development is always important to be aware of because not everyone may realize how much of a role it plays in everyday life. Everyone wants to get into the digital marketplace, but too often, businesses let impatience get in the way of optimal performance. You can go for the plan that yields results in 6 weeks or you can go all in for the plan that’s going to allow you to boost your ROI dramatically at the end of the year. 

Written By Ben Brown

—

ISU Corp is an award-winning software development company, with over 17 years of experience in multiple industries, providing cost-effective custom software development, technology management, and IT outsourcing.

Our unique owners’ mindset reduces development costs and fast-tracks timelines. We help craft the specifications of your project based on your company's needs, to produce the best ROI. Find out why startups, all the way to fortune 500 companies like General Electric, Heinz, and many others have trusted us with their projects. Contact us here.