Business Digitalisation: The Future is Here
As we move into 2021 and hopefully, see the end of the pandemic that has crippled the global economy to such an extent that many small businesses have folded, we can look forward to some amazing digital transformations that will take place in the coming year. The pandemic resulted in people turning to online solutions, in an attempt to minimise human contact; why take the chance of a trip to the supermarket when you can order online?
The New Normal
They are already talking about a new normal that includes vaccinations and digital tags that allow people to move around, while the business world is also using the Internet much more and this will continue, even when the pandemic is over. If you have your smartphone, your laptop and order a set of gaming headphones from JIB, you can have real-time video calls with business associates and friends at any time and from any location. Many young entrepreneurs run their online business from their laptop and why not indeed? No travelling, no need to dress up to go to the office and if you are employed and working from home, you might have to endure a daily Zoom call with your boss, but other than that, you are free to work when it suits you.
The 5G Roll-Out
If you think the Internet is cool, wait until you see the Internet of Things (IoT), a digital platform for every single device on the planet and everything will be controlled by AI. As you read this article, Elon Musk is putting thousands of low-orbit 5G satellites into space and they will eventually cover the entire planet, giving us 10x data transfer speeds, which is amazing! Expect to see co-working spaces replacing traditional offices, as employees discover a new level of freedom.
Virtual Services
Many service sectors such as healthcare are now offering virtual services; you can make a virtual appointment with you GP, or enrol in an online yoga class, using a state-of-the-art VoIP platform such as Skype or Zoom. If a service can be performed using real-time audio & video, then the provider would set up virtual services and sectors include:
- Mental Health Counselling
- Physiotherapy
- Business Consultancy
- Language Learning
- Medical Services
Adapting to a New Environment
The Covid-19 pandemic has irreversibly changed the way we do things, while at the same time, digital tech is developing so fast, and the arrival of the IoT will see a new level of digital services that merge with AI. This is a very exciting time to be alive and young people have great career opportunities in emerging tech and if you are a little older and are trying to get to grips with digital technology, there are lots of free resources online that teach you how to use services.
The End of the Paper Era
The trees are certainly pleased to see the back of the paper era and when every single human being has a mobile device, there will be no need for hand-written communication on pulped wood. Like it or not, the days of the paperback book are numbered; many schools no longer teach cursive writing and students use tablets to record their data.
