Technology Sector Outlook and Workforce Trends in 2018

This legacy advisory captures how i-NETT, formerly Voice Smart Networks, assessed technology adoption trends heading into 2018, based on workforce shifts and economic indicators at the time.

The outlook reflected growing confidence in the U.S. labor market and the increasing role of technology in daily business operations. Employment levels were rising, and organizations were becoming more dependent on digital systems to support productivity, collaboration, and scale.

Economic data cited during this period reinforced that trajectory. CNN Money reported unemployment declining to 4.1 percent, the lowest level in seventeen years. Projections from Goldman Sachs suggested further declines, approaching levels not seen since the late 1960s, according to historical data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

These labor conditions contributed to increased competition for skilled workers and accelerated demand for technology-enabled efficiency. At the same time, workforce demographics were shifting. Millennials were entering the workforce in greater numbers while Baby Boomers continued to retire.

This generational transition influenced how organizations viewed technology. Younger workers had grown up with digital tools embedded in daily life and expected similar integration in professional environments. Technology was no longer considered an accessory to work but a core component of how work was performed.

Leadership commentary during this period emphasized that rising employment, demographic change, and digital familiarity would drive sustained demand for modern technology environments. These observations aligned with broader discussions around workforce-driven technology adoption trends.

This perspective contributed to long-term planning frameworks later documented within i-NETT’s approach to technology accountability, where workforce behavior and operational reality are treated as core inputs to technology strategy.