While everyone is talking about the hot technology trends for 2014—hybrid cloud computing, real-time and predictive analytics—innovative IT consultants need to look beyond those, which have become so ho-hum. When looking ahead, this blogger sees opportunities for consultants in 3D printing, drones for business, and wearable computers like Google Glass. Some big consulting firms already are latching onto those but there remains plenty of opportunity for nimble IT consultants.
To Accenture 3D printing represents a real-world example of how technology can help companies build relationships at scale, by letting them treat their customers as individuals through more direct, customized interactions and tailored services. 3D printers also could become as ubiquitous as paper printers and completely alter the manufacturing sector by allowing individual mass manufacturing of customized products.