Current trends in IT product development
Tags: development, product, webdev, ai
Published: 2023-11-03 17:16:09

Modern technology is driving the modern digital revolution, with IT products at its core, and their significance will continue to expand. By staying updated with the latest trends and tackling modern challenges, companies can produce inventive and valuable products that address user requirements and boost the growth of the tech industry.

Key trends involve personalizing user experiences, applying AI more widely, integrating with other services seamlessly, and improving user data security.

## Personalization of user experience

Companies worldwide are increasingly focusing on enhancing the interaction between users and IT products, not just the functionality of the latter. They’re investing efforts in improving UX and tailoring the user experience. This includes making it user-friendly for new users, creating intuitive interfaces, and ensuring speedy loading times for websites or applications.

A crucial aspect of boosting user experience is product and service responsiveness. This refers to how companies handle user feedback, how quickly they implement changes, and how effectively they adapt their products. Enhancing user experience allows companies to stand out in the market by customizing products or services to align with user preferences. Ultimately, the trend aims to increase conversions for specific actions.

Personalizing the user experience can be a substantial driver for business growth. An example of real-time experience personalization is in Storytel’s book reading app. The algorithm studies your app usage, including entry frequency, reading patterns, and completion rates, and it tailors new options. It also experiments with sales offers to not only re-engage you but to also make your experience more enjoyable and retain your interest.

> Spotify, a popular music service, curates playlists according to user preferences. It relies on artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance its recommendations. Advanced algorithms crunch massive amounts of data to grasp evolving music tastes, and this analysis helps the system suggest new tracks and compile personalized playlists for users.

However, personalization and AI demand substantial data and computing resources. This can pose a hurdle for startups with limited resources. Hence, the development of affordable and accessible technologies becomes crucial in addressing this challenge.

## Application of artificial intelligence

AI is seriously impacting the evolution of IT products, making them more intelligent, personalized, and efficient. The use of artificial intelligence in businesses can be categorized into internal and external applications.

Internally, AI can enhance productivity across various functions within companies. For example, in marketing, it can assist in crafting messages and creative content based on insights from user interviews or help in planning content schedules. While working on the Aviamarket project, developers and product managers were assigned the task of incorporating artificial intelligence in any task that could be automated.

> External applications involve user-friendly solutions; for example, recommendation algorithms based on data analysis or reminders. In the education sector, it could mean automatically checking homework or having an entire language course, like Duolingo, powered by AI.

Artificial intelligence tech makes it possible to automate intricate processes, recognize patterns in vast datasets, and deliver tailored solutions. It predicts trends and enhances operational efficiency. Well-tuned algorithms can offer personalized product or service recommendations, which elevates customer satisfaction and increases sales.

Raiffeisen Bank uses AI and machine learning to improve the customer experience by utilizing data on user behavior and crafting personalized offers.

> However, it’s crucial not to overlook the ethical considerations surrounding AI. Improperly configured AI systems can introduce bias and discrimination. Companies must remain vigilant and actively strive to develop fair and ethical solutions.

## Integration with other services

Integration with other services is a strategy that involves combining various products, services, and platforms to create a more comprehensive and efficient user experience. This approach is gaining popularity in the IT industry because it allows companies to offer intricate and feature-rich solutions without having to develop all components in-house.

In practice, integration with other services can take on various forms. For instance, a mobile application can link up with social networks so that users can share content or log in using their social accounts. A more complex example can be seen on the Aviamarket platform, where a partnership with banks has made it possible to calculate payment schedules for financing the purchase of helicopters or private jets.

E-commerce platforms can team up with online payment services to streamline the buying process and make it more user-friendly. In education, platforms frequently integrate with project management systems to enable efficient monitoring of student assignments.

This trend of service integration is on the rise and shows no signs of slowing down. Companies are consistently enhancing their offerings, introducing new functionalities, and forging partnerships to provide users with increasingly comprehensive and user-friendly services. Open standards and interoperability can help tackle the challenges presented by this evolving landscape.

## Changing strategies in product management
 
_Product manager and product analyst rolled into one._
In recent job listings, companies are increasingly seeking product managers with comprehensive skills in SQL and Tableau. The idea that product managers only need to generate ideas is a misconception. Instead, they are now expected to possess a profound understanding of analytics and statistics.

A product manager who can methodically boost metrics through swift data analysis (like writing database queries, uncovering correlations, and conducting AB tests independently) is considered extremely valuable.

_A mix of product manager and product marketing manager._
Certain businesses are on the lookout for individuals who can not only create products but also promote and sell them. In some cases, this means that the product manager plays an active role in creative development. In others, they handle tasks like setting up advertising campaigns and exploring marketing channels.

Previously, product focus was centered around metrics like Retention and LTV. Nowadays, there’s an increasing need to also consider lead acquisition costs and adapt marketing strategies accordingly. Essentially, a product manager’s responsibility extends beyond the product and users to encompass how to draw them in.

## Data security

In the IT industry, safeguarding user data has taken on paramount importance, particularly as digital information volumes surge and business operations shift online.

Data security covers a wide range of measures aimed at preventing unauthorized access, use, disclosure, corruption, modification, or destruction of information. This isn’t solely about safeguarding business-related data; it’s also about upholding the privacy of users’ personal information.

> It is important to focus on accurately identifying the potential threats unique to each organization. Creating effective security measures requires more than organizational techniques. It requires the adoption of inventive strategies to protect information. Take Bug Bounty programs, for example. They are crafted to search for weaknesses and evaluate how well events are prevented.

Data security is not limited to software. It includes the development of suitable policies and procedures, staff training, and the cultivation of a safety-conscious culture throughout the organization. Achieving this necessitates a comprehensive approach that harnesses advanced technologies and techniques.

## Conclusion

With the growing volume of personal data handled by IT products, the risk of leaks and misuse is on the rise. Therefore, safeguarding privacy has gained top priority and demands companies to commit resources to establish robust data protection mechanisms.

> It is important to continue to develop reliable systems to prevent adverse outcomes. Companies are confronted with substantial challenges tied to ethics, resource availability, and integration. Tackling these challenges will be pivotal in the successful deployment of promising and groundbreaking products.

The trends mentioned reflect the global trajectory of the IT sector’s growth. Guided by a focus on enhancing user experience, the incorporation of artificial intelligence, seamless integration with other services, and heightened data security, these trends are aimed at revamping and enhancing products.