The technology industry is a fast-paced environment. There is always a new discovery on the horizon, which is good news for your IT – it is always about to get a little bit better!
We spend a lot of time researching the best technology solutions available to SMEs and as a result have a good idea of new developments. These are the 2025 IT trends that are worth knowing if you are an SME.
AI-driven automation
Unsurprisingly, one of the main trends in 2025 is AI. From Copilot to Gemini, it feels like wherever you turn AI wants to lend you a helping hand. These tools – when utilised properly – can transform the efficiency of a business.
As organisations get their security in order, Microsoft Copilot will become more commonplace when writing documents, producing emails, summarising documents, assessing business data and generally carrying out day-to-day tasks. More advanced tools like Microsoft Fabric can pull information from across software and programs, making it even more efficient and useful to businesses.
With repetitive tasks assigned to AI, small businesses can remain efficient even when resources are tight. In a competitive environment where efficiency and agility matter, AI-driven automation allows small businesses to operate like larger organisations while staying lean and scalable.
AI is also useful for less obvious tools – like EDR, which utilises AI to identify the characteristics of a cyber threat and blocks it. Antivirus is only able to block what has already been identified officially as a threat – whereas EDR is able to spot a threat as soon as it arrives.
The good news is, AI tools are now widely available. Many tools (like Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT) offer plug-and-play functionality, which means you just need a subscription and you’re good to go. (Just make sure you’ve got your security sorted first, unless you want your team to be able to read all your private HR documentation!)
Increased Cyber Security
Cyber security is always hot on the agenda – that’s nothing new – but we have seen increased interest in Cyber Essentials. This certification is already vital for companies to be able to access government contracts, but there is a chance that this kind of compliance might become a requirement for small businesses generally. It certainly appeases insurers, and it gives customers peace of mind that their data is handled securely.
At CYBERUK 2025 – the government’s cyber security conference – the keynote speech was presented by Richard Horne, National Cyber Security Centre CEO. He said that Cyber Essentials is: “driving up resilience at scale... and should be used so much more throughout supply chains.”
He also urged businesses to start using cyber security tools that rely on AI: “AI also provides huge promise for our cyber defences. The prospect of AI tooling used in code generation can help make Secure by Design a reality. While AI tooling in defence operations enables threats to be identified and eliminated at machine speed. We see there will eventually come a digital divide... between those who integrate AI into their cyber security and those who don’t.”
Unfortunately, issues like ransomware, phishing and lack of staff awareness still remain a big issue for SMEs in 2025 – who are very often targeted for their less secure systems.
Sustainable IT
Awareness of technology’s impact on the planet is on the rise, and sustainability is now a key consideration for most businesses. At Resolve, we have solar panels to try and minimise our energy consumption, which is of benefit to us and the planet.
Sustainability is increasingly becoming a core component of IT strategy, with businesses optimising data centre energy use, adopting carbon-aware software development practices, and prioritising environmental impact in procurement decisions.
There are plenty of ways SMEs can become more sustainable with regards to IT – including things like fixing and maintaining devices, moving to the cloud with providers that use renewable energy (like Google Cloud or Microsoft Azure), and using laptops instead of large, unnecessarily powerful desktops.
IT Strategy and Proactive Support
Increasingly, SMEs are – sensibly – moving away from the old model of waiting for IT problems to happen before acting. Instead, they’re starting to plan ahead, making sure their tech setup supports their goals and grows with the business. After all, there’s no point planning for growth and then finding you’ve not got the technology to support it.
There are a few ways to deal with this. First of all, you can check in on your systems more regularly, keeping a close eye on performance, and thinking ahead when it comes to upgrades or changes.
It also helps to work closely with a managed service provider who can give you access to expert advice and support without requiring a full-time IT team. At Resolve we do quarterly business reviews, which means working alongside our clients and checking in every few months on whether their technology aligns with their goals and future plans.
We’ve found that planning ahead means fewer unexpected issues and more control over costs, which is something every small business can appreciate.
Technology in 2025 is full of potential, from AI-driven productivity boosts to greener IT decisions and smarter cyber security. The businesses that stay curious, adapt quickly, and invest in strategic IT planning will be the ones who thrive.
If you’re looking for a partner to help guide your IT strategy and keep your systems secure, scalable, and sustainable, we’re here to help.
