2025 Predictions Hobby recognises the importance of circularity and the need to
equip the sustainability workforce with the necessary skills. “It’s about understanding where the real impact lies across the supply chain and engaging suppliers in meaningful dialogues,” she explains. Despite progress towards circular business models, existing contracts and procurement processes can hinder progress. She points out that transitioning to models like ‘as-a-service’ requires deeper engagement and leadership. Mary Jacques, Lenovo’s executive director of global ESG and
regulatory compliance, agrees with the urgency of addressing e-waste. “With e-waste generation outpacing the rise in formal recycling by a factor of almost five, enabling increased repair, refurbishment, and recycling of electronics will become critical for achieving net-zero goals and addressing raw material scarcity,” she explains. In 2025, businesses will seek devices designed for longevity and maximum upgradeability, driving a shiſt towards a more circular economy. Jacques anticipates sustainable laptop design will focus on
modularity for easy repair and upgrades, durable materials, and increased use of recycled components. Energy-efficient hardware and extended soſtware support aim to mitigate environmental impact. Repairable designs with accessible instructions and take-back programs will become more common. Juha Harkonen, VP of commercial partners at Sage, says that
regulations are striving to keep up with technological advancements, with new mandates emerging in areas like e-invoicing, sustainability reporting requirements, and crypto asset accounting standards. Harkonen advises resellers to stay informed and proactive about compliance requirements so they can advise their customers effectively. “By being informed and proactive about compliance requirements, resellers can position themselves as trusted advisors and help their clients navigate the complex regulatory landscape,” Harkonen explains. Ian Jeffs, UK&I general manager at Lenovo Infrastructure
Solutions Group, predicts implementing Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) standards will reshape the governance and development of High-Performance Computing (HPC) and AI supercomputers in 2025. He highlights the importance of ethical AI usage and resilience: “Te recognition of HPC and AI supercomputers as critical infrastructure will drive the creation of governance frameworks that uphold ethical AI practices and enhance system resilience.” Jeffs expects stricter regulations to ensure AI developed or trained on HPC systems adheres to ethical principles.
Networking and connectivity Everything tech relies on connectivity and networking. Can the networks keep up with the rapid pace of other tech developments? Kevin Drinkall, director of marketing and GTM Strategy at Zyxel Networks, anticipates significant trends in networking for 2025. He says: “WiFi 7 will become the dominant standard, while WiFi 6 will serve as the budget-friendly option.” Te industry has already begun transitioning away from older WiFi technologies, with a faster adoption of WiFi 7 expected due to its superior bandwidth, low latency, and future-proofing advantages. Drinkall also notes the increasing popularity of multi-gig switches,
which support multiple speeds and offer investment protection and flexibility in network design. “We expect multi-gig switches to
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become even more popular in 2025,” he says, noting that these switches facilitate the transition to new technologies like WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 without requiring extensive cabling upgrades. Furthermore, the role of AI in managed
services is expected to expand. Drinkall explains that AI will “alert administrators and technicians to potential issues or problems earlier,” simplifying network management. Additionally, 5G and LTE routers are becoming more reliable and affordable, making them suitable options for temporary connections, remote areas, and failover situations. “With hybrid and remote working now an integral part of working life, we expect to see growth in 5G and LTE connectivity in 2025,” Drinkall says. Gavin Jones of BT Wholesale agrees that connectivity and network
Tim Whiteley of Inevidesk
modernisation will remain at the heart of the channel: “65% of employees want faster connectivity, and 70% want more reliable connectivity where uptime is critical. However, only 31% of IT decision-makers and as few as 16% of employees prioritise the shiſt to all-IP. Channel partners, therefore, need to showcase the benefits of digital networks to gain a competitive advantage in the year ahead.” “In a hybrid working world, unified-communications-as-a-service
(UCaaS) is set to transform collaboration. 72% of IT decision- makers want more simplified collaboration methods, and 75% report needing fewer applications. Despite this, only 49% are currently using a UCaaS platform. Te channel has a clear opportunity to fill this gap, but to do so, partners must simplify business language and demonstrate the positive impact of UCaaS on productivity and collaboration.“
Is hybrid working here to stay? Much has been said about whether hybrid working is here to stay as some companies recall staff to the office. However, Steve Rafferty, head of EMEA at Zoom, predicts that by 2025, investment in high- performance technology and AI-driven collaboration tools will create inclusive, flexible environments. “Businesses will increasingly adopt hybrid work models, giving employees the autonomy to choose where and when they work,” Rafferty says. Tese AI-driven tools will enhance productivity and equity by ensuring all employees feel equally involved, regardless of location. Tim Whiteley of Inevidesk says that flexibility and resilience
in the VDI market are key in light of migration off-premises. A growing aversion to public cloud due to cost and inflexibility opens opportunities for private and hybrid cloud solutions. “VDI will be a critical growth area,” Whiteley says, especially as cybersecurity threats become more sophisticated. Channel partners will be key in shaping VDI adoption and fostering innovation. “Channel partners must recognise the issues with public cloud and big tech and cultivate a wider range of technical solutions,” he explains. Amol Dalvi, VP of product at Nerdio, forecasts demand for cost efficiency, business continuity, and resilience in virtual desktop solutions. “Tese themes are echoed consistently by our customers,” he says, stressing the need to balance budget and reliability in cloud VDI. Dalvi predicts a resurgence of on-premises VDI solutions,
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