The consulting arm of IT services company Atos Origin has published a guide to emerging technologies as part of its annual trends report.

The report discusses the "dual challenge" facing businesses in ensuring the retention of critical knowledge as key staff retire or change fields, while simultaneously preparing for "Generation Y" to enter the commercial world. It also outlines new technologies and explains why they are significant.

Ontologies

Ontologies are the study of the nature of existence and support the management of unstructured data. They will become an integral element of the Semantic Web by providing a way to share the understanding of a domain.

2-D barcodes

Advanced algorithms help two-dimensional barcodes to encode large amounts of data in a small space. They include strong error detection and correction facilities and can often be scanned successfully even if damaged.

Augmented reality

The superimposing of relevant sensory information, including smell, to supplement the user's view of the world. It will benefit people who need to receive real-time, contextually-based information, hands-free information, which can be transmitted from anywhere in a local area including lamp posts.

4G

Fourth-generation communication systems are the next step in wireless communications, offering full-service portability and global mobility. All network elements will be digital, enhancing security.

Open source mobile

Open source mobile will aim to drive innovation in mobile phone software, focusing on the acceleration of software capability, rather than on phone design. It will offer increased choice for manufacturers, service providers and consumers, and enable quicker and easier application development.