For many IT departments, 2026 may feel less like a “vision” and more like a “reality shock.” Some of the technological promises of recent years have become established, as have tangible requirements and problems. This raises specific questions in day-to-day business: What can and must we afford? What do we need to secure or renew? And in which areas do we want to become more independent?
In 2026, IT will be less experimental and much more strategic. Companies are facing regulatory pressure, rising costs, and new expectations regarding stability, transparency, and resilience. Our outlook is not intended to highlight the big tech buzzwords such as green IT, quantum computing, AI, and the like. We want to take a pragmatic look at the issues that are actually shaping everyday IT this year. We also summarize the areas in which almost every company will have to find real solutions by this year at the latest.
