In 2015, companies will focus on using Big Data to improve business processes; businesses of all sizes will adopt new rules and regulations to tackle new issues with security, interoperability and bandwidth requirements; and it will be the year when the Internet of Things starts to fade as a business initiative. Instead, the Internet of Everything will take center stage in 2015. This is all according to Dan Pickett, CEO of nfrastructure, a provider of technology infrastructure software.

Pickett’s predictions about emerging technologies are all part of our second annual Technology Predictions series in which industry experts share their predictions with us about the hot tech trends that they think will take center stage in 2015. We’ll be sharing all of their predictions with you over the next several days. Read on for more from Pickett.

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Prediction No. 1: Bigger and better Big Data

In 2015, billions of connected devices and new technologies will continue to generate mounds of data. As this wealth of data grows, so will companies’ wealth of knowledge. In the coming year, companies will focus on using Big Data to improve business processes. Whether it’s creating the perfect customer experience or developing the most efficient manufacturing process, businesses will be ready to prove that the investments they made collecting data were worth it.

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Prediction No. 2: New standards and protocols

With great power comes great responsibility. In 2015, IT will continue to move farther outside of the IT department, and employees and other end users—who previously had little access—will be empowered by new technologies and connected devices. To ensure smooth integration and proper use, businesses of all sizes will adopt new rules and regulations to tackle new issues with security, interoperability and bandwidth requirements.

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Prediction No. 3: An increased focus on speed and agility

Across industries, more and more innovation will be moving online. As physical restrictions to development are removed, businesses and consumers will expect faster results. For example, according to Gartner, Inc., by 2015 more than half of traditional consumer products will have native digital extensions. Consumers will expect that these products will integrate with new technologies and be updated continuously—with no lag time in development or deployment.

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Prediction No. 4: The Rise of the CTO

Technology has already infiltrated almost every aspect of business. As technology takes over, the CTO’s role will continue to expand. Once seen as just the head of the IT department, the CTO will become a mission-critical member of the c-suite in 2015. Companies will look to their CTOs for guidance, not just for basic technology needs but also for insight into innovative technologies and business practices—in areas from marketing and research to staffing and operations.

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Prediction No. 5: The Internet of Everything

A phenomenon in itself, analysts and technology thought leaders have been predicting the rise of the Internet of Things for years. Now more than ever, the Internet of Things is a part of business and everyday life. 2015 will be the time to start thinking about the Internet of Everything. Businesses will need to prepare for everything to have an element of connectivity. According to Gartner, Inc., 650 million new physical objects have come online since 2013 and that number will only be increasing next year. From preparing your network, supporting all of the new devices, optimizing your data storage, innovating your business model, and incorporating connected devices, 2015 will be the year when the Internet of Things starts to fade as a trending topic and business initiative. Instead, the Internet of Everything will take center stage in 2015.

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2015 Technology Predictions graphic courtesy of SiliconANGLE