Wearable technology is no longer just a thing of the future. Some 50 million wearable units are expected to be sold this year alone, according to IHS. That number is projected to balloon to 180 million by 2018. In addition, the wearable market ^[1] is already growing at a rate five-times faster than the smartphone revolution.

Not only are wearables something that businesses of today can’t ignore, this new frontier is creating huge opportunity when it comes to their better connecting to customers, partners, and employees. Companies who embrace this next wave of mobile can differentiate themselves and gain a huge competitive advantage.

Keep reading for just four of the many areas where wearable technology is expected to make a major impact in the enterprise:

Customer Service

Companies will be able to provide unparalleled levels of customer service, thanks to the introduction of wearables. Medical device reps, oil rig workers, and multitudes of other remote service technicians will have access to live data unlike ever before. In addition, wearable glasses should allow them to review plans and get coaching, all hand-free and in real-time.

IT

Supported by a future-proof cloud platform, developers will be able to build applications that connect any and every business process to wearable devices. Examples include everything from a smartwatch that prods the wearer when their urgent approval is needed on a document, to a wristband that controls security access to buildings, to fitness tracking devices that encourage employees to get healthy and participate in workforce exercise challenges.

Marketing

Imagine if your brand could not only recognize a customer when they stepped foot into your business, but could also use this information to anticipate their needs and provide a unique experience while they are there? Wearable devices, such as a wristband, will connect customer data with destinations so a customized real-time journey can be delivered. In addition, actions like pulling out a wallet or a hotel key will become obsolete.

Sales

Salespeople are a mobile workforce by nature. Portable computers, tablets, and smartphones have provided a connection to the digital world for field reps like never before. Wearables will take this to the next level. Instead of the distraction of needing to pull out a laptop or mobile device during a sales meeting, quick updates will be available via smart watches, with minimal interruption.

Read more about Salesforce Wear, the industry’s first initiative for wearable computing in the enterprise, plus the new Salesforce Wear Developer Pack, by clicking here.

Learn how the Salesforce1 Platform powers wearable technology by reading this free e-book.

^[1] Wearable Growth Rate - BI Intelligence Estimates, IMS Research, ABI Research