Digital transformation in some sectors has been underway for over a decade, but there’s never been an accelerator like COVID-19. The immediate changes that were forced on people and businesses in 2020 have given proof to digital investment business cases that would have previously required extensive research and a reasonable acceptance of risk in order to implement.
The pandemic has been a great equaliser; start-ups and small players can compete with larger firms when everyone has the same digital tools through which to engage.
What’s more, enterprises must acknowledge that the pandemic has been a great equaliser; start-ups and small players can compete with larger firms when everyone has the same digital tools through which to engage. Currently, large enterprises can’t impress customers with meetings in expansive offices or corporate hospitality. They must convey their value and substance through the same accessible mediums: website, Zoom, Teams and PowerPoint.
Whilst the majority want a fast return to life before the pandemic, the way in which the crisis has accelerated digital service adoption and dependence is here to stay.
Whilst the majority want a fast return to life before the pandemic, the way in which the crisis has accelerated digital service adoption and dependence is here to stay.
From a business continuity, cost-saving and efficiency perspective, the headline opportunities are obviously the migration of IT infrastructure to the cloud and greater adoption of collaboration tools. Enterprises will naturally scrutinise every aspect of their physical operations and seek digital, cost-saving alternatives.
On the revenue generation side, e-commerce, digital media, gaming and video calling are the stand-outs; these will continue to grow as the majority of the glob become more familiar with such services whilst confined to home.
Scratch beneath the surface and there are so many other innovative technologies and services that are likely to continue booming throughout 2021.
IoT, Private 5G Networks, A2P Messaging & Predictive Analytics
Application to Person (A2P) messaging has proven vital throughout the pandemic as businesses and critical services seek reliable ways to send short communications to the population. Those communications include COVID notifications, school closure notifications, two factor authentication and package delivery updates.
IoT adoption is expected to grow as businesses seek to automate more of their physical business, to safeguard against future workforce lockdowns, and/or have greater remote control of, and data on, physical assets. Retailers are implementing more self-serve, contactless systems as well as store occupancy management systems. Logistics companies are connecting every part of the chain to get goods out faster with the most efficient use of resources and customer expectation management. Commercial property owners are implementing building management solutions to remotely control and reduce spend on lighting, heating, air conditioning and general utilities.
For those adopting IoT solutions within time-critical, secure environments and or where remote asset control must be carried out with millisecond latency, a Private 5G Network is an unparalleled solution. Shipping ports, airports, logistics warehouses and large campuses are all growing adopters.
The fight for bandwidth on the home front
As home working continues to be the norm and likely to be commonplace, post-pandemic, the fight for home bandwidth will also continue. 5G offers consumers and businesses often a superior alternative to fixed line. This extra capacity frees the home office from the home school, home arcade and home cinema, particularly when packaged as part of an SD-WAN solution.
The use and importance of data and predictive analytics was thrust to the forefront in 2020. Data does more than just track the impact of the virus. Predictive models show how taking certain actions could slow its spread and the effect those actions could have on the economy, education, healthcare services and supply chains.
>Our commitment at CKH IOD continues to be to help organisations get the most from these and other advanced technologies. We’re here to help our customers to survive and thrive in the immediate environment but to also get a head start on the new environment we’re all so looking forward to.
Tom Gardner is Head of Enterprise. Wholesale & Iot Products for CKH IOD.
