Technology is shaping how we do things in the modern world. Indeed, things have become vastly different from how they were 50 years ago. CNet's piece on the tech that's changing the world details that technology has shaped everything from transportation to entertainment, emphasizing how tech has been truly integrated into our everyday lives. With that being said, it isn't surprising that tech will have a major impact on the markets and the economy. At the rate technology is going, innovations will completely transform the business landscape in the near future. It's in your best interest to understand how tech will shape the future of business and commerce so you can prepare your company for the future. To help you out, we've put together a list of factors and innovations that will shape the future of different industries. Digital Marketing Digital marketing isn't a new concept. Yet, businesses of all sizes have accelerated their operations in the digital space in order to widen their reach and connect with more customers. Global agency Ayima highlights how technology-driven practices have become necessary to stand out in the digital space, with practices like SEO, analytics, and paid media now common. However, the role of digital marketing is set to be even more important in the coming years. As we've already discussed in our article on the Post-Pandemic Workspace, the aftermath of COVID19 will change businesses. It's had a similar effect on digital marketing, making the once valuable tool even more important for businesses. In fact, the The Drum details that businesses will have to come up with innovative new strategies in order to bounce back from the pandemic. Story-driven marketing can help greatly with this, as well as utilizing new social media platforms such as TikTok. Artificial Intelligence Artificial intelligence (AI) has already begun to influence our daily lives. Everything from our home assistants to our smartphones has integrated some form of AI to help us with our daily tasks and activities. Indeed, the processing power that AI is able to wield to breakdown and interpret data is an invaluable tool that has vastly improved our overall quality of life. This same use of data is what will also push businesses into the future. One particularly useful contribution that AI can impart to businesses is an improved means of using data and business analytics. Countants details that AI can process massive amounts of data to provide businesses with the information to make informed business decisions that'll help their company grow. AI's reach will continue to expand thanks to the rise of the Internet of Things, as more devices connected to the internet will result in improved data collection. Indeed, data and AI will be the lifeblood of businesses in the future. Payment Processing Lastly, payment processing technology will play a big role in the future of businesses. It's a given that improving the means of how consumers make purchases is beneficial for both the business and the consumers themselves. Streamlining this process to make it efficient and hassle-free could be the determining factor that makes or breaks your business. One interesting payment processing option that's been gaining a lot of traction recently is Buy Now Pay Later. CNN's article on this payment processing option highlights how companies such as Nordstrom and Sephora are now letting consumers avail of products without paying for their full price, as they've come up with flexible payment methods that allow consumers to pay for a product in installments. This could be the way of the future considering that millennials in the United States have become averse to using credit cards.

Apps can help your business greatly by streamlining operations, assisting with project organization, and by providing better communication opportunities. The great thing about using apps, is that they can provide an inexpensive and sometimes even free solution. Plus, their ease of use can make you even more effective when bringing them into your business. Below are our top 10 favorite business apps for any department:

Microsoft just announced its newest release... and breakout rooms are coming to Teams!! Breakout rooms allow meeting organizers to split main meetings into smaller sessions for focused discussions.

Google's competitor to Microsoft Office is being rebranded as Workspace and has new pricing tiers.

Encryption is a daunting word, and the process of encrypting something can sound complex, but it is an incredibly important part of cybersecurity that keeps your information safe.

With everyone working, playing, and going to school at home, the competition for Wifi is fierce. Slow connections and speeds can be a painful annoyance for anybody, and upgrading internet speed can be costly and often ineffective. No need for worry though... we have one easy-to-implement and cost-effective solution for you to implement.

It can be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. For many of us, there has been so much change during the COVID19 pandemic, and the future is certainly unclear. Many businesses went through quick shifts to remote work at the beginning of March, which led to a huge change in workplace communication, technology, and physical office space. While some offices have begun the process of hybrid work (meaning, some people are in a physical office and some work remotely) many companies are still operating completely remote. There will be a time where it is safe for everyone to return to the office, but what will that really look like?