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Linknet-Columns.com features articles and weekly syndicated columns in specific areas of interest such as Marketing, Travel, Health, Business Opportunities, Product Features, Golf. Advertise with Linknet. Get links and create a powerful online presence. Top five technology trends to watch for in 2006Jan 22, 2006 - Linknet Product News Top five technology trends to watch for in 2006 22 January, 2006 - By Doug Cooper, Country Manager, Intel of CanadaWith 2005 in the history books and this month's highly touted Consumer Electronics Show (CES) complete, here are the top five technology trends to watch for in 2006. Small business, big approach Research conducted by IDC reveals Canadian small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) spend about 42 per cent less per worker on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) than their U.S. counterparts. While there does exist shining examples of Canadian SMBs using ICT to improve operational efficiencies, studies have also shown that these examples are few and far between. In 2006, technology companies will assume a greater responsibility in educating the SMB market about the importance of investing in ICT to remain competitive. As a result, a responsive SMB sector -- the just under one-million SMBs (one to 20 employees) that account for 86 per cent of Canadian companies Statistics Canada, Business Register, December 2004 -- will see an increase in business efficiencies and market penetration. You can take it with you 2006 will be the year you can have your cake and eat it too. A new generation of thin and light notebook PCs have been designed to provide superior performance, enhanced wireless capabilities and improved battery life. And they won't have your daddy's processors inside. Notebooks with dual core processors will support surround sound, enhanced graphics and high- definition TV, allowing users to blend work and play in new and exciting ways largely where they want, when they want. With the proliferation of wireless notebooks growing and enlightened companies recognizing that employees want more flexible working hours and locations, expect to see more changes in where and how people work. In homes, small businesses and on campuses in Canada notebooks are rapidly becoming the computer of choice. We are seeing computers become truly personal. Computer downtime not a pastime Canadian IT managers' and employees' long-held complaints about computer downtime will begin to be resolved in 2006. Beginning this year, many PCs will ship with Active Management Technology (AMT). This new technology will allow companies and services to diagnose and repair PCs, software, operating systems or hardware failures remotely, 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week even if the PC is off. Employees will be able to complete tasks without interruption, while IT support staff can instead concentrate on higher-value generating functions. With five per cent of help desk calls accounting for 52 per cent of total support costs, AMT will reduce IT maintenance costs by 30 per cent and reduce desk side visits by 41.5 per cent, saving companies thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in productivity. 2003 Intel IT Trouble Tickets The need for speed ... in a smaller package (power and small machines) Not only will PCs get faster in 2006, they'll also get smaller, and quieter. The distinction between notebooks and traditional desktop PCs is blurring and is leading to the next wave of new devices designed for communication and entertainment. As computing devices gets smaller and more portable, the need for low power and extended battery life increases. In the coming year, businesses and consumers will see new, sleek PC designs being offered by original equipment manufacturers that will allow consumers to manage digital home content and work remotely with more ease than ever before. Division in the digital divide Home entertainment will make a dramatic leap this year and content will be king. With millions of hours of digital material poised to become available online, Canadians will increasingly turn to PCs to download, store, view, buy, manage and share their favourite music, movies, photos and more. Look for the digital home to find its groove in 2006 as Canadian companies offer new on-demand content and services over the Web. Trade Show Displays Trade Show Graphics and Display Graphics
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