Digital Innovation Trends

4 Trends Driving Digital Innovation

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we live in a digital world. As countries locked down to minimise the spread of COVID-19, people, companies and entire industries moved online. Digital transformation is not just a buzzword – it’s a business imperative. Technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and cloud computing are maturing, and every business looking to grow needs to understand the increasing role that technology will play.

Here are four key trends to consider:

Once upon a time, having your head in the clouds meant you were a daydreamer. Today, every business needs to be thinking about cloud computing. We all need our heads in the cloud. Initially, software moved to the cloud, but now businesses are shifting more and more of their processes to the cloud, rather than running their own data centres.

Leading cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure, Amazon AWS or Google Cloud offer enterprises the opportunity to cut costs and be more agile through the infrastructure-as-a-service model. These platforms handle everything from hosting to hardware, software, servers and storage for their customers, who can pay as they go, and scale services quickly as required.

If the cloud is still a bit hazy to you, download Numata Business IT’s free e-book, Demystifying the Cloud.

AI for any application

IT folk have been talking about AI with great excitement for years now, but we’re finally starting to see AI coming into more common use. From smart camera features in cell phones that help users capture the perfect image to more widespread adoption of digital assistants and home automation, AI is on the rise. It’s also at work behind the scenes in many digital platforms, for example in online shopping portals and streaming services’ content suggestion features.

PwC reported that 90% of executives surveyed believe that AI offers more opportunities than risks, and almost half expect AI to disrupt either their geographical markets, the sectors in which they operate or both.

Personalising customer experience

The Customer Experience (CX) has become more important than ever, with consumers now being able to experience brands on multiple platforms and share these experiences at the click of a button. Consumers have come to expect connected, personalised experiences and on-demand accessibility. Businesses need to leverage technology to remove friction from the consumer experience, but also to prioritise consumer insights and protect data under tighter regulations, like GDPR. Companies need to use technology to ensure secure interactions and high-quality customer experiences, throughout the entire chain of interactions.

IT as a strategic business pillar

Gone are the days of the IT department existing purely to manage IT procurement, keep an eye on network security and fix broken computers. Today, the Chief Information Officer (CIO) is a core part of the executive team, guiding businesses through digital transformation and playing a critical strategic role. IT is recognised as a competitive advantage and is expected to connect to business functions ranging from marketing to HR, finance, procurement, sales order management and supply chain.

For SMEs, who may not have the budget available to employ an entire IT department or a dedicated CIO, there is the option of partnering with a managed service provider (MSP) to access these important skill sets and resources for business growth. Get in touch and our capable team will ensure you get a maximum return on your technology investment.