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Kubernetes is an open-source platform for managing containerised workloads and services. It's versatile, easy to configure, and has a growing ecosystem with plenty of support and tools. Originally developed by Google and released as open-source in 2014, Kubernetes has become the de facto standard for container orchestration in modern IT environments.
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At its core, Kubernetes provides a framework for running distributed systems resiliently. It manages clusters of containers, ensuring that applications are always running as intended, even in the face of failures or increased demand. Kubernetes abstracts much of the complexity of managing containerised workloads, allowing IT teams to focus on developing and improving their applications rather than worrying about the underlying infrastructure.
Kubernetes is renowned for its comprehensive suite of features indispensable for modern IT operations. Here's an overview of what makes Kubernetes a go-to platform for managing containerised systems:
One of the key benefits of is its ability to automatically scale the number of containers up or down based on operational demands. This flexibility allows organisations to efficiently use resources and respond quickly to traffic spikes, ensuring optimal performance without over-provisioning.
The platform is designed with resilience in mind, offering automated solutions such as restarting failed containers, replacing or rescheduling containers on failing nodes, and removing containers that fail health checks.
Kubernetes simplifies the exposure of containers to the internet or other services in the network through DNS names or IP addresses. It adeptly manages network traffic distribution to ensure consistent service availability and performance.
With Kubernetes, automatic mounting of various storage systems becomes seamless, whether they're sourced locally, from public cloud providers, or network storage solutions. This feature is crucial for applications that require persistent data storage or share data between containers.
The platform offers a secure way to handle sensitive information such as passwords, OAuth tokens, and SSH keys. Through Kubernetes, sensitive information is efficiently managed and made accessible to containers without the need to rebuild container images, enhancing both security and convenience.
One of the key benefits of Kubernetes is its ability to automate the deployment process. Using declarative configuration files, teams can define the desired state of their applications and let Kubernetes handle the rest. This approach not only reduces manual errors but also ensures consistency across environments. Kubernetes excels at dynamic scaling, automatically adjusting the number of running containers based on demand. This elasticity allows organizations to efficiently utilize resources and respond quickly to traffic spikes, ensuring optimal performance without over-provisioning.
By efficiently packing containers onto nodes, Kubernetes maximizes resource utilization. Its intelligent scheduling system considers factors such as CPU, memory, and storage requirements to place containers optimally across the cluster. This leads to significant cost savings and improved overall efficiency.
Kubernetes abstracts away much of the complexity involved in managing containerized applications. Features like rolling updates and rollbacks make it easy to deploy new versions of applications with minimal downtime. Self-healing capabilities automatically restart failed containers or replace unhealthy nodes, reducing the burden on operations teams.
Kubernetes integrates seamlessly with popular monitoring and logging tools, providing deep insights into application performance and cluster health. This observability is crucial for proactive issue detection and rapid troubleshooting.
With its built-in service discovery and load balancing features, Kubernetes simplifies network management. It automatically assigns IP addresses to containers and provides DNS-based service discovery, making it easier to manage communication between microservices.
Kubernetes embraces the concept of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) through its declarative configuration model. This approach allows teams to version control their infrastructure definitions, enabling better collaboration and easier auditing of changes.
Organizations across various industries have reported significant improvements in their IT operations after adopting Kubernetes:
Kubernetes has become an indispensable tool for modern IT operations, offering a powerful platform for managing containerized workloads at scale. By automating many aspects of application deployment and management, Kubernetes allows IT teams to focus on innovation rather than mundane operational tasks. As containerization continues to gain momentum, mastering Kubernetes will be crucial for organizations looking to stay competitive in the digital age. The streamlined operations, improved resource utilization, and enhanced scalability provided by Kubernetes make it a cornerstone technology for efficient and agile IT operations.
[/um_loggedin]IoT refers to the network of physical devices that are connected via the internet, allowing them to share and collect data in real-time. It can be found in many objects, from household devices to industrial machines. The smartwatch you’re wearing on your wrist, the tracking of your latest Amazon purchase, that’s IoT.
According to recent estimates, the number of IoT devices is expected to reach around 30 billion by 2025. This number is a direct result of its powerful combination with other recent technological advancements.
5G-powered IoT allows for un-interrupted connectivity and greater data usage, which increases the stability and performance of IoT devices. The improvements to IoT include lower data latency, more extensive coverage, and real-time data processing, which in effect, makes IoT’s reach limitless.
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The addition of AI is transforming IoT’s extensive real-time data collection and processing to the next level by activating machine learning and actual decision-making capabilities without human intervention. This powerful combination is helping create intelligent machines that can automate processes and facilitate predictive maintenance, resulting in increased productivity and reduced operating costs and downtime.
The emergence of edge computing in IoT is providing faster and greater volumes of data to be processed and resulting in more actionable solutions in real-time. Besides providing scalability and flexibility in IoT deployments, the movement of data processing and analytics closer to IoT devices, also increases data privacy and security.
Large enterprises have been stepping up and becoming pioneers in the IoT revolution, taking full advantage of this innovative technology and its capacity to profitably reshape their business. However, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which represent about 90% of global business, have been slower to incorporate effectively IoT technology and systems due to lack of resources and expertise.
SMEs that have managed to make the investment and deploy IoT into their daily processes run more efficiently and are seeing long-term cost savings and greater business growth. Therefore, it is essential that more SMEs leverage IoT to improve existing business practices and stay competitive.
While implementing IoT can be a significant initial investment for an SME, the ROI is quick on improving operational capacity, reducing costs, managing resources better, and enhancing customer service and experiences. SMEs can benefit from this continuously evolving and innovative technology in the following ways.
IoT implementation can streamline processes by automating tasks that can benefit a number of business areas, from logistics to manufacturing to operations, resulting in increased efficiency, agility and cost savings. Here are some examples:
IoT devices generate a large amount of data in real-time, which can be analyzed to gain insights into the business. This can help SMEs identify trends, optimize processes, and make better-informed decisions, such as:
The data flowing in from IoT customer touchpoints and the products or services they use can provide a multi-dimensional view of their experiences and satisfaction levels not possible before. This opportunity to measure and analyse consumer behaviour can also take the guesswork out of marketing strategy. Further, with IoT data in real-time, companies can respond quickly to issues and requests as they arise. Besides helping meet a consumer’s changing needs, IoT can improve their experiences and increase brand loyalty and retention which can drive long-term business growth. Here's some examples how:
Approximately 84% of current IoT deployments “are addressing or have the potential to address” the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. SMEs can use IoT to implement sustainability measures, such as waste reduction and optimizing operations to reduce energy consumption. Here’s some examples how:
In summary, the adoption of IoT technologies is no longer limited to large enterprises, presenting numerous opportunities for SMEs to improve their efficiency, cut costs, enhance customer relationships, and increase their competitivity and overall profitability. While implementing IoT solutions requires an initial investment, the ROI can be substantial and quick and therefore far outweigh the costs.
Due to limited resources, many SMEs choose to partner with specialized third-party companies to accelerate IoT solution development. Other SMEs opt for stable & secure IoT platforms to access IoT technology that is both scalable and customizable.
Need guidance on how to start your SME’s IoT journey to reap the benefits this advanced technology can offer? Reach out to our Knowledge Exchange experts for the latest technological insights and advice.
[/um_loggedin]Source: Protech Insights
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, small businesses are constantly seeking ways to stay competitive and efficient. The key to their success often lies in embracing the latest technological innovations.
We’ll examine six technical advancements that are transforming small business management in this blog article, with a particular emphasis on scalable infrastructure, AI development, and AI applications.
Scalable infrastructure is the cornerstone of modern small business management. It allows businesses to adapt to changing needs and grow seamlessly. By leveraging cloud computing, businesses can scale up or down their IT resources as required, reducing costs and improving efficiency.
Whether it’s hosting websites, managing data, or deploying software solutions, scalable infrastructure empowers small businesses to compete on a level playing field with larger enterprises.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) development is transforming the way small businesses operate. AI-powered solutions can automate repetitive tasks, analyze data, and provide valuable insights. This technology not only streamlines operations but also frees up valuable human resources for more strategic tasks.
From chatbots enhancing customer service to predictive analytics optimizing inventory management, AI is a game-changer in small business management.
AI applications are not limited to large corporations. Small businesses can harness the power of AI to make data-driven decisions. For instance, AI-driven predictive analytics can help businesses identify trends and customer preferences, enabling them to tailor their products and services accordingly.
By leveraging AI applications, small businesses can make smarter choices, reduce risks, and ultimately increase profitability.
The e-commerce boom has brought about a significant shift in small business management. With the right technology, even the smallest businesses can establish an online presence and reach a global audience.
Online marketplaces, digital payment solutions, and user-friendly website builders have made it easier than ever for small businesses to thrive in the digital marketplace.
Mobile technology has changed the way small businesses engage with their customers. Through mobile apps and responsive websites, businesses can provide seamless experiences, allowing customers to interact and make purchases from anywhere at any time.
Mobile payment solutions also simplify transactions, making them convenient for both businesses and customers.
As small businesses increasingly rely on technology, data security becomes paramount. Cyber threats are on the rise, and small businesses are not immune. Investing in robust cybersecurity measures, including firewalls, encryption, and regular software updates, is essential.
Protecting customer data and sensitive business information is not only a legal requirement but also vital for building trust with customers.
Incorporating these technological innovations can be a game-changer for your small business. Embrace scalable infrastructure, AI development, and AI applications to stay competitive and position your business for success in today’s digital world.
Source: Protech Insights
In our fast-paced digital age, the fusion of Mobile Apps and IoT (Internet of Things) has sparked a wave of innovation, transforming the way we interact with the world. IoT mobile apps serve as the gateway, connecting users to a network of smart mobile devices, from home appliances to wearables. To harness the full potential of this synergy, developers must adhere to key best practices, ensuring seamless user experiences and robust functionalities.
At the core of IoT mobile apps is the intricate network of interconnected mobile devices. These apps empower users, enabling remote control and monitoring of various gadgets. It’s crucial to grasp this ecosystem’s complexity before embarking on the development journey.
User experience is paramount. Designing intuitive interfaces with clear navigation and straightforward gestures enhances user engagement. A well-designed app fosters loyalty and keeps users coming back.
With sensitive data in transit, security is non-negotiable. End-to-end encryption safeguards user information, and regular updates fortify the app against potential vulnerabilities, creating a secure environment for both users and data.
Efficient coding and streamlined functionalities optimize app performance, ensuring responsiveness and conserving device resources. Compatibility testing across diverse platforms guarantees seamless integration, enhancing user experience across different devices.
Real-time data analysis is the lifeblood of IoT apps. Implementing swift algorithms provides users with instant insights, enabling informed decisions in real-time. Whether it’s monitoring energy usage or tracking health metrics, real-time data processing elevates the app’s functionality.
In conclusion, the collaboration of Mobile Apps and IoT technology heralds a new era of connectivity. By adhering to user-centric design, stringent security protocols, efficient performance optimization, seamless integration, and real-time data processing, developers can craft IoT mobile apps that stand out.
This revolution in connectivity is not just about innovation; it’s about enhancing lives. Embrace these best practices, dive into this transformative journey, and be part of a world where Mobile Apps and IoT devices redefine the way we live and interact. The future of technology is here, and it’s in your hands.
Source: Protech Insights
In today’s digital era, where our lives are increasingly intertwined with technology, the protection of personal information has become a paramount concern. From online shopping and social media to banking and healthcare, we entrust a wealth of sensitive data to various digital platforms. However, as the volume of data collected and shared continues to grow, so do the risks of data breaches, identity theft, and privacy violations. In this blog, we’ll delve into the importance of data privacy in the digital age and provide actionable tips to help you safeguard your personal information.
Data privacy refers to the right of individuals to control the collection, use, and sharing of their personal information. This includes data such as name, address, phone number, email, financial details, and browsing history. With the proliferation of digital technologies and the advent of big data, companies have unprecedented access to vast amounts of personal data, raising concerns about privacy and security.
In today’s interconnected world, personal information is constantly at risk of being compromised. Some common risks to data privacy include:
Cyber attacks targeting organizations can result in the unauthorized access and theft of sensitive customer data, including personal and financial information.
Criminals may use stolen personal information to impersonate individuals, open fraudulent accounts, or commit financial fraud.
Governments and organizations may engage in surveillance activities or collect data for tracking and monitoring purposes, raising concerns about privacy and civil liberties.
Create complex passwords for your online accounts and avoid using the same password across multiple platforms. Consider using a password manager to securely store and manage your passwords.
Add an extra layer of security to your accounts by enabling 2FA wherever possible. This requires users to provide a second form of verification, such as a code sent to their mobile device, in addition to their password.
Exercise caution when sharing personal information online, especially on social media platforms. Avoid oversharing and be mindful of the privacy settings on your accounts to control who can see your posts and information.
Keep your devices, including computers, smartphones, and tablets, up to date with the latest security patches and antivirus software. Use encryption to protect sensitive data stored on your devices, and consider enabling remote wipe capabilities in case your device is lost or stolen.
Take the time to review the privacy policies of websites and online services before providing any personal information. Understand how your data will be collected, used, and shared, and opt-out of any data collection practices that you’re uncomfortable with.
Regularly review your financial statements, credit reports, and online accounts for any suspicious activity or unauthorized charges. Report any discrepancies or signs of identity theft to the relevant authorities immediately.
In an age where personal information is more vulnerable than ever, protecting your data privacy is essential to safeguarding your identity, finances, and overall security. By following the tips outlined in this blog, you can take proactive steps to protect your personal information and reduce the risk of falling victim to data breaches and identity theft. Remember, when it comes to data privacy, vigilance is key – stay informed, stay cautious, and stay safe in the digital age.
Source: Protech Insights
In today’s data-driven world, effective data management is crucial for organizations looking to harness the power of information to drive business success. With the exponential growth of data volumes and sources, organizations must adopt robust strategies to collect, store, analyze, and utilize data effectively. In this blog post, we’ll explore some top strategies for effective data management and how they can help organizations maximize the value of their data assets.
The first step in effective data management is to define clear goals and objectives for your data strategy. These goals should align with your organization’s overall business objectives and address key challenges and opportunities related to data management. Whether your goal is to improve data quality, enhance data security, or streamline data workflows, having a clear vision will guide your data management efforts and ensure alignment across the organization.
Data governance is essential for ensuring that data is managed effectively, securely, and compliantly throughout its lifecycle. Establishing robust data governance frameworks involves defining policies, procedures, and standards for data management, as well as assigning roles and responsibilities for data stewardship and oversight. By implementing data governance best practices, organizations can mitigate risks, ensure data quality and integrity, and maintain regulatory compliance.
Data quality is paramount for reliable decision-making and business operations. Implementing data quality assurance processes involves identifying data quality issues, such as inaccuracies, inconsistencies, and incompleteness, and implementing measures to address them. This may include data cleansing, normalization, deduplication, and validation techniques to ensure that data is accurate, reliable, and fit for purpose.
With data residing in disparate sources and formats, organizations must invest in data integration and interoperability solutions to bring together data from different sources and systems. This involves implementing data integration platforms and technologies that enable seamless data movement, transformation, and synchronization across heterogeneous environments. By breaking down data silos and enabling data interoperability, organizations can derive valuable insights from their data and drive informed decision-making.
Advanced analytics and data visualization tools play a critical role in transforming raw data into actionable insights. By leveraging techniques such as machine learning, predictive analytics, and artificial intelligence, organizations can uncover hidden patterns, trends, and correlations in their data. Additionally, data visualization tools enable stakeholders to explore and communicate insights visually, making it easier to understand complex data and derive meaningful conclusions.
Data security and compliance are paramount in today’s regulatory environment, where data breaches and privacy violations can have severe consequences. Organizations must implement robust security measures to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access, breaches, and cyber threats. This includes encryption, access controls, monitoring, and auditing mechanisms to safeguard data assets and ensure compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA.
Effective data management is an ongoing process that requires continuous monitoring, evaluation, and improvement. Organizations should regularly assess their data management practices against key performance indicators (KPIs) and benchmarks, identify areas for optimization and enhancement, and iterate on their strategies accordingly. By adopting a culture of continuous improvement, organizations can adapt to evolving data challenges and opportunities and stay ahead of the curve in today’s dynamic data landscape.
In conclusion, effective data management is essential for organizations looking to derive value from their data assets and gain a competitive edge in today’s digital economy. By defining clear goals, establishing robust governance frameworks, ensuring data quality, integrating data sources, leveraging advanced analytics, ensuring data security and compliance, and continuously monitoring and improving data management practices, organizations can unlock the full potential of their data and drive business success.
Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) which refers to a group of learning academies that have formed an association, have become increasingly common in the United Kingdom. This is due in part to the Government’s plan to encourage most schools to join a MAT by 2030 as outlined in the 2022 Schools White Paper, “Opportunity for all: strong schools with great teachers for your child”.
With this, the government is pushing the education landscape to become more competitive as academy trusts optimize their processes and technology.
However, as MATs onboard new academies this can bring some IT challenges that stem from the need to merge IT infrastructure, reduce costs, centralize services, migrate data, and manage technical changes across multiple schools within a trust.
The challenges:
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The process of merging academies to work under one MAT can seem never-ending and overwhelmingly complex. Where does one even begin? To help address the challenges noted above and facilitate transitions, from the initial setup of a MAT to onboarding new academies, below we offer an action plan for MATs to pool their resources and streamline organizational IT integration successfully.
In conclusion, the importance of aligning organizational and structural digital transformation efforts is fundamental to the overall educational strategy and success of MATs, but requires a tremendous amount of planning, effort and resources. By following some of the recommendations we have listed however, you will significantly improve a MAT’s capacity to reach the ultimate goal of this educational framework: enhanced teaching and learning while remaining competitive.
For further assistance and information on getting the right digital strategy in place for your MAT, connect with our Knowledge Exchange program today. Our Account Managers provide access to expert advice, industry insights and a network of technology partners to fit your needs.
Source: The Business Cover
In today’s fast-paced business environment, companies are constantly looking for ways to maximize productivity and minimize costs. One way to achieve this is through outsourcing, the practice of hiring an external company or individual to perform tasks that would typically be done in-house. While outsourcing can offer many benefits, it also has its drawbacks.
In this blog, we will explore the pros and cons of outsourcing and how to decide whether to outsource or keep tasks in-house.
Cost Savings: One of the primary reasons companies outsource is to save money. Outsourcing can often be more cost-effective than hiring and training new employees, purchasing equipment, and maintaining facilities.
Access to Expertise: By outsourcing certain tasks, companies can gain access to specialized expertise that they may not have in-house. This can lead to improved quality of work and increased efficiency.
Focus on Core Competencies: Outsourcing non-core activities allows companies to focus on their core competencies and strategic objectives, which can lead to increased competitiveness in the marketplace.
Flexibility: Outsourcing provides companies with the flexibility to scale up or down based on changing business needs without the need to hire or lay off employees.
Loss of Control: Outsourcing can lead to a loss of control over certain aspects of the business, such as quality of work, timeliness, and communication.
Security Risks: Outsourcing can also pose security risks, as sensitive data may be shared with external parties. This can increase the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks.
Communication Challenges: Outsourcing requires effective communication and coordination between the company and external parties, which can be challenging if there are language or cultural barriers.
Quality Concerns: Outsourcing may lead to quality concerns, particularly if the external party does not have the same level of expertise or standards as the company.
Identify Core Competencies: Determine which activities are core to your business and should be kept in-house, and which activities are non-core and could be outsourced.
Evaluate Costs: Conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine whether outsourcing would be more cost-effective than keeping tasks in-house.
Assess expertise: evaluate whether external parties have the expertise and quality standards needed to perform tasks effectively.
Consider Security Risks: Assess the potential security risks associated with outsourcing and implement appropriate security measures.
Evaluate Communication: Determine whether effective communication and coordination can be maintained with external parties.
Consider Timing: Assess whether outsourcing is the right option for current business needs and whether it aligns with long-term strategic goals.
Outsourcing can offer many benefits to companies, including cost savings, access to expertise, and increased flexibility. However, it also has its drawbacks, such as a loss of control, security risks, and quality concerns. When deciding whether to outsource or keep tasks in-house, it is important to evaluate the pros and cons, identify core competencies, assess costs, evaluate expertise, consider security risks and communication challenges, and align outsourcing decisions with long-term strategic goals. By taking these factors into account, companies can make informed decisions about outsourcing that will help them achieve their business objectives.
Source: The Business Cover
As remote work continues to gain popularity, effective management of remote teams has become a critical skill for businesses.
In this blog, we will discuss the best practices for successfully managing a remote workforce, ensuring productivity, collaboration, and employee satisfaction.
Communication is key when managing a remote workforce. Establish clear channels of communication, such as email, instant messaging, or video conferencing tools. Set expectations regarding response times, availability, and preferred modes of communication. Encourage regular check-ins to provide updates, address concerns, and foster a sense of connection. Clearly define goals, deadlines, and deliverables to ensure everyone understands their responsibilities and the desired outcomes.
Equipping your remote workforce with the right tools and technology is crucial for seamless collaboration. Invest in reliable communication and project management tools that facilitate efficient workflow and document sharing. Use cloud-based storage and collaboration platforms to enable real-time updates and easy access to files. Provide the necessary training and technical support to ensure employees are comfortable using these tools. Regularly evaluate and update your technology stack to stay up to date with the latest advancements.
Trust is essential when managing a remote team. Focus on outcomes rather than micromanaging employees. Give them the autonomy to complete their tasks in a way that works best for them while ensuring accountability. Empower team members by involving them in decision-making processes and recognizing their contributions. Foster a culture of trust through transparent communication, regular feedback, and acknowledging achievements.
Creating a sense of belonging and camaraderie among remote employees is crucial. Encourage team-building activities, such as virtual social events or virtual coffee breaks, to promote interaction and build relationships. Implement online collaboration spaces, such as chat channels or virtual bulletin boards, where employees can connect and share ideas. Celebrate milestones, birthdays, and achievements to boost morale and create a positive work environment. Regularly communicate the company’s values and mission to align remote employees with the overall organizational culture.
Remote work blurs the line between personal and professional life. Encourage your remote workforce to maintain a healthy work-life balance by setting clear boundaries and expectations. Promote self-care practices and stress the importance of taking breaks. Encourage employees to establish a dedicated workspace and maintain regular working hours. Offer flexibility in scheduling whenever possible to accommodate individual needs and preferences.
Successfully managing a remote workforce requires effective communication, the right tools, trust, a dedicated team culture, and a focus on work-life balance. By implementing these best practices, businesses can ensure their remote teams thrive, leading to increased productivity, employee satisfaction, and overall success in the remote work environment.
Source: The Business Cover
In today’s digital era, data has become the new oil, and businesses are increasingly relying on big data analytics to gain valuable insights.
This blog explores the growing influence of big data analytics in the business world, highlighting its transformative impact on decision-making processes.
Big data analytics involves collecting, organizing, and analyzing vast amounts of data to identify patterns, trends, and correlations. By leveraging advanced technologies and algorithms, businesses can make data-driven decisions with greater accuracy and confidence. From customer preferences and market trends to operational efficiency and risk management, big data analytics provides a holistic view of business operations, enabling organizations to optimize their strategies and stay ahead of the competition.
One of the key advantages of big data analytics is its ability to uncover hidden insights that were previously inaccessible. By analyzing structured and unstructured data from various sources, such as social media, customer feedback, and transaction records, businesses can gain a comprehensive understanding of their target audience’s preferences, needs, and behavior. These insights enable companies to tailor their products and services, improve customer experiences, and develop targeted marketing campaigns, resulting in enhanced customer satisfaction and increased profitability.
Efficiency is crucial for business success, and big data analytics plays a vital role in optimizing operational processes. By analyzing data related to supply chain management, inventory levels, production cycles, and resource allocation, businesses can identify bottlenecks, streamline operations, and reduce costs. For example, predictive analytics can forecast demand patterns, allowing companies to adjust their inventory levels accordingly and minimize waste. Additionally, real-time monitoring and analytics help identify potential issues and enable proactive maintenance, ensuring uninterrupted operations and reducing downtime.
In today’s digital landscape, data security, and risk management are top priorities for businesses. Big data analytics enables organizations to identify potential risks, detect anomalies, and prevent fraudulent activities. By analyzing large datasets, businesses can identify patterns that indicate potential security breaches or fraudulent transactions. Additionally, predictive analytics helps in assessing and mitigating risks associated with various business operations, such as financial investments, supply chain disruptions, and cybersecurity threats. This proactive approach enhances overall business resilience and safeguards sensitive data from unauthorized access.
Big data analytics has become a notable change in the business world, empowering organizations to make informed decisions, optimize operations, and gain a competitive edge. By harnessing the power of data, businesses can unlock valuable insights, improve efficiency, mitigate risks, and enhance customer experiences. Embracing big data analytics is no longer an option but a necessity for businesses striving for success in the digital age.
Source: The Business Cover
In today’s fast-paced business world, technology is essential for success. From digital marketing to cloud computing and cybersecurity, there are countless ways that technology can help businesses thrive. However, with so many options available, it is easy to make mistakes.
Here are the top five business technology mistakes to avoid.
One of the biggest mistakes that businesses make is failing to embrace change. Technology is constantly evolving, and businesses that do not keep up will be left behind. By staying up to date with the latest trends and innovations, businesses can remain competitive and adapt to changing customer needs.
Cybersecurity is a critical component of any business technology strategy. Yet, many businesses ignore this aspect and leave themselves vulnerable to cyberattacks. Implementing strong cybersecurity measures is essential to protect sensitive data and maintain customer trust.
Technology is only effective if your employees know how to use it properly. Neglecting training and support can lead to frustration and decreased productivity. Providing regular training and support can help employees use technology to its full potential and avoid costly mistakes.
Another common mistake is failing to plan. Businesses that do not have a technology roadmap risk investing in solutions that do not align with their long-term goals. Developing a strategic technology plan can help businesses make informed decisions and avoid wasting their investments.
Data is one of the most valuable assets that businesses have. Yet many businesses overlook the importance of data and fail to use it to its full potential. By leveraging data analytics, businesses can gain valuable insights that can inform decision-making and drive growth.
Technology is an essential component of any successful business strategy. However, there are common mistakes that businesses make that can hinder success. By avoiding these top five business technology mistakes—failing to embrace change, ignoring cybersecurity, neglecting training and support, failing to plan, and overlooking the importance of data—businesses can leverage technology to achieve their goals and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Whether you are a small business owner or an enterprise-level executive, these mistakes are avoidable with a little planning and foresight. Do not let technological mistakes hinder your business’ growth and success. Instead, embrace change, prioritize cybersecurity, invest in training and support, and plan, and leverage the power of data to achieve your business goals.
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) is a holistic framework for businesses to achieve sustainability beyond just environmental factors, but diversity and societal priorities too. It requires businesses to behave ethically to achieve a sustainable and responsible future.
In recent years, ESG goals have gone from being “nice to have”, to a non-negotiable for companies looking to attract new customers, partners, and employees. While many may have primarily focused on “E”, “S” and “G” have increased in priority for companies looking to adapt a 360 approach to sustainability.
ESG is important for several reasons. It not only addresses environmental and social challenges, but it also contributes to the overall resilience, sustainability, and success of companies as it focuses on the following areas:
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There are a number of benefits associated with pursuing a well-rounded ESG strategy. McKinsey defined five ways ESG can add value to a company:
Companies have typically had a siloed approach when implementing ESG policies relying on departmental expertise to address the most pressing issues. This had led to a fragmented approach with little coherence around how to create standards and guidelines.
However, working towards ESG goal should not be a siloed activity, cross-departmental collaboration is needed to fulfil objectives on a company-wide scale.
A coordinated approach is crucial for achieving meaningful and lasting impact. By breaking down the traditional silos and fostering collaboration across various departments, companies can leverage a diverse range of perspectives, skills, and resources to address the multifaceted challenges posed by sustainability and responsible business practices.
This holistic approach enables the development of comprehensive ESG strategies that align with the organization's overall mission and values. Moreover, a unified front in implementing ESG policies promotes consistency in reporting, transparency, and accountability, which are essential elements for building trust among stakeholders, including investors, customers, and employees. In essence, the shift towards a coordinated approach underscores the recognition that ESG considerations are integral to the core functioning of the entire business rather than isolated initiatives, leading to more robust, resilient, and socially responsible organizations.
IT Teams have a pivotal role to play in helping companies achieve ESG goals, across the different areas.
IT infrastructure often accounts for a sizeable amount of carbon emissions, making it a key target area for reducing a company's environmental impact. As companies implement more and more digital transformation strategies, it is vital that the improvements in business efficiency do not come at the expense of their carbon footprint. Companies who are dedicated to achieving their ESG goals need to look at the full lifecycle of their IT assets and embed sustainability data into their asset management processes
When thinking about industries with a heavy carbon footprint, software development might not necessarily come to mind, but in fact it is responsible for 3% of global carbon emissions, which is on-par with the aviation industry. Technology leaders need to consider the environmental impact of software, whether they are building it in-house or choosing different platforms to install. Companies looking to reduce their carbon impact can use the environmental impact of the software they use as a metric. .
Ensuring accessibility promotes social inclusivity and is a huge part of any company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). IT departments play an essential role in establishing digital accessibility for both its employees and customers alike. In doing so, companies ensure social inclusivity, which not only fulfils a moral duty but also opens doors to a wider talent pool and customer market.
IT teams need to take the ESG achievements of their suppliers and third-party vendors into account if they want to take a holistic approach to reaching their own ESG goals. Some questions to consider when choosing IT vendors and suppliers are; what do the working conditions look like across the supply chain? Are the companies IT vendors in compliance with fair labour standards? Are human rights respected?
Transparent reporting is essential for building trust with stakeholders, whether that be investors, customers, employees, or regulators as it fosters accountability and demonstrates commitment to sustainable practices. IT departments play a crucial role in this as they implement the infrastructure needed for efficient data management to ensure accurate and reliable data. They can also leverage the capabilities of automation and artificial intelligence to enhance data processing, identify patterns and enable predictive analytics so companies can make more informed decisions regarding ESG.
The risk of cyber-attacks is one of the most financially material sustainability risk that businesses face. Even small companies can handle vast amounts of sensitive data such as customer information, financial records, employee details. The frequency of cyber-attacks is on the rise, meaning robust cybersecurity processes are crucial to mitigate the risks of the reputational and financial fall out a potential attack could cause.
Knowledge Exchange is a programme designed for IT decision makers to fully understand their challenges, needs, and priorities. It is a complementary independent brand and partner programme which supports companies by offering a number of services and tools to facilitate the IT purchasing process with expert advice, trends and analysis and unrivalled access to bespoke solutions from BNZSA’s vendor and channel partners.
By joining Knowledge Exchange one of our Key Account Managers will work with you to build a robust road map to achieve your IT ESG goals.
[/um_loggedin]Source: Protech Insights
Generative AI is the coolest new thing on the block. It is like a magic machine that can create anything you can imagine, from text to code to images to music. And it is already starting to revolutionize the way we do business.
Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that can create added content, such as text, code, images, and music. It is trained on massive datasets of existing data, which it uses to learn the patterns and relationships in that data. Once trained, generative AI can be used to create added content that is like the training data, but also unique and original.
Generative AI is still in its initial stages of development, but it has the potential to revolutionize many industries. Here are just a few use cases of Generative AI:
To create personalized marketing campaigns, generate new ad copies, and create realistic product images and videos.
To create new works of art, music, and literature. It can also be used to generate innovative ideas and concepts for creative projects.
To develop new drugs and therapies, diagnose diseases, and personalize treatment plans.
To design new products, optimize production processes, and predict maintenance needs.
To develop new financial products and services, detect fraud, and manage risk.
In addition to these specific industries, generative AI is also having a broader impact on the way businesses operate. For example, generative AI is being used to automate tasks, improve customer service, and develop new business models.
The first step is to identify the tasks and processes in your business that can be automated with generative AI. Once you have identified these areas, you can start to experiment with different generative AI tools and platforms to find the ones that work best for your needs.
It is important to start small and scale up your use of generative AI as you gain more experience. It’s also important to monitor the results of your generative AI initiatives and adjust as needed.
Generative AI is a powerful technology that has the potential to transform many industries. By starting early and experimenting with different generative AI tools and platforms, businesses can position themselves to take advantage of this transformative technology.
Imagine a world where you can create anything you can imagine, with just the click of a button. That’s the world that generative AI is creating.
Generative AI can be used to create new products and services, improve existing ones, and even create new forms of art and entertainment. It is a technology that has the potential to change the world, and it is already starting to do so.
So, what are you waiting for? Start exploring the world of generative AI today!
For more information, please visit the original website: Protech Insights
In this month’s Knowledge Exchange we examine why users are closing the once mighty Windows platform in favour of macOS and Chrome OS devices which continue to grow in popularity and market share!
Despite remaining the most dominant Operating System (OS) with 68% of market share worldwide, Microsoft’s Windows continues to face growing competition within the OS market.
Over the past decade Windows has lost more than 22% of its desktop OS market share worldwide, and more than 27% of market share in the USA alone. In the same time frame macOS has gained 13.5% and Chrome OS has grown by more than 4%.
Window’s popularity is due in part to its widespread availability on PCs from manufacturing partners such as Dell, HP, and Lenovo, but why has it lost such a significant proportion of the market in recent years?
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Apple’s macOS, which can be found in Apple’s Macbook and Mac Desktop product lines, which includes popular devices such as Macbook Air and Macbook Pro, has been steadily gaining ground in the OS space. It is particularly popular in the North American market where it holds 33% of market share, compared to just 15% in Europe and 21% worldwide.
Apple introduced Apple silicon, a series of system on a chip (SoC) and system in a package (SiP) processors manufactured by Apple in 2020 and subsequently rolled out installation in every new product they produce.
This move has undoubtedly accelerated Apple’s popularity across both consumer and enterprise markets as it allowed Apple to increase the performance and battery life of their devices compared to previous versions which were powered using Intel CPU processors. This heightened the competitiveness of Apple’s devices in terms of performance power compared to traditional PCs.
The rise in popularity of Google’s Linux-based Chrome OS can be attributed in part to the fact that Chromebooks are often a less expensive option for consumers compared to traditional PCs or Macbooks. Their lower price point has made them a popular device within the education sector and amongst parents looking for an affordable starter device for their children.
The popularity of Chromebooks surged in 2020 as the pandemic took hold and businesses and schools were forced to move to remote working and online learning environments. In the same year. PC shipments grew 13.1% hitting 300 million units, with Chromebooks accounting for 10.8% of devices sold, outselling Macbooks for the first time.
Windows may still dominate the desktop OS market, but when it comes to mobile devices and tablets, Microsoft has yet to make a dent, and has even discontinued its mobile operating system.
Despite Windows powered tablets such as the Microsoft Surface Pro being available, Android and Apple share 99% of this market. Android claims the lion’s share of the market with 70% of the combined phone and tablet market, whereas when considering tablets alone Apple’s iOS edges ahead with 53.5% due to the popularity of iPad devices.
The resulting demand for PCs caused by the pandemic gave way for Google and Apple to expand their market share at Microsoft’s expense.
There is no doubt that regardless of losing large market share Microsoft’s Windows remains as the most popular OS for desktops, however this popularity does not carry over to tablets and mobile devices as Apple and Android have saturated the market.
Microsoft and Intel are already preparing for the launch of Windows 12 according to leaked documents, so it remains to be seen if this will enable Microsoft to claim back some market share.
[/um_loggedin]There is no question that the working world is constantly evolving and adapting to modern life. Since the first industrial revolution in the 18th century, which saw the advent of machines for mass production, the way we work has been continually advancing. The age of the internet and computers began in the late 20th century, bringing a further shift towards automation and digitalization.
Now with what has been deemed the “Fourth Industrial Revolution”, cloud computing, machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), and Internet of Things (IoT), further blur the lines between physical, digital, and biological domains.
We have started to see the impact of these technologies in the workplace, but looking ahead to the future, how could they be further integrated into our day-to-day working environment?
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The Covid-19 pandemic was a catalyst for one of the biggest shifts seen in the labour market in recent history, as companies had no option but to adapt to a remote working environment if they wanted to stay operational during strict global lockdowns.
Now, more than three years later, more companies than ever look set to make remote and hybrid working environments a permanent fixture according to Scoop. The latest Flex report for Q2 2023 found that 51% of companies offer work location flexibility, up from 43% in Q1.
Despite the popularity of remote and hybrid working, it is not without its challenges. Some of the biggest obstacles faced by companies incorporating remote working into their working environment include:
Last month’s Knowledge Exchange focused on how AI is evolving - for better or for worse. But how will it affect workplaces and the more pertinent question on everyone’s lips – will it be used to replace a large part of the workforce?
Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, Satya Nadella, described the next generation of AI as “moving from autopilot to copilot” in terms of how we can incorporate AI into our work processes. AI is already second nature to most digital experiences and from automation to job creation, its effects are quickly being felt across the workforce.
Since the industrial revolution, technology has always been there alongside a human workforce to streamline processes and make them more efficient. AI has powered online experiences for years, and there will be no exception in how it will increasingly power the workplace.
Although many hybrid and remote workplaces were set up practically over night following mandated lockdowns due to Covid-19, companies continue to embrace remote working environments with the help of technology.
Despite the skepticism over job losses caused by AI, it is poised to create more jobs than it will automate. In order to embrace these opportunities, the workforce will be required to upskill or reskill as an investment in their future.
Technology has revolutionized how we work since the Industrial Revolution and now with robust digital transformation strategies and technologies such as generative AI, workplaces will continue evolve, no longer relying on physical offices and becoming ever more digitalized and automated.
[/um_loggedin]This month’s Knowledge Exchange will examine why more firms are not only adopting a work from home strategy (WFH) but also a WFA strategy, and what effects this is having on technology purchasing decisions, productivity, staff collaboration, corporate culture, and staff wellness including mental health. It will also examine what potential pitfalls to avoid, when looking to adopt a WFH policy.
According to the United States Bureau of Labour and Statistics, remote work has risen by 31% in the US in the last couple of years. While many associate this trend as a by-product Covid, allowing staff to work from home has been experimented with since another energy emergency gripped the world back in the 1970s, the Oil Crisis1.
During this time, which scarily mirrors the current energy crisis, rising inflation, the pressure on cost of living and energy, as well as the soaring costs for commuting forced the hand of some companies to allow its knowledge workers, to work from home.
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While these experiments were primarily aimed at supporting employees working from home, the proliferation of the Internet, email and other communications technology was making it easier for people to work from other places too such as customer sites, airports, and other places with reliable internet connection. Remember those Internet Cafes in the ‘90s?
Even before the Covid pandemic, around 20% of US workers were already working at home, according to the Pew Research Center. And this trend looked likely to grow, especially in the IT sector. The rapid and widespread onset of Covid naturally accelerated this adoption with office closures and lock downs, in another mass human experiment, this time on how businesses could continue to operate, and workers could effectively work remotely. After three years of WFH experimentation, the genie seems to be truly out of the bottle for a lot of workers with 54% of workers surveyed by Pew expressing a wish to continue to WFH now the pandemic has been declared over.
More recently, WFH has expanded the ability to work from anywhere (WFA) for cohorts of workers and especially Millennials and Gen Z who are attracted to being ‘digital nomads’, living in different parts of the world and working for companies that encourage remote, hybrid, WFH and WFA environments.
As we examined in last month’s Knowledge Exchange, the move to hybrid cloud is somewhat making it easier for organisations to adopt more WFH and WFA practices as a lot of the concerns of distributed computing can be managed in the cloud and with water-tight IT policies. Of course, the endpoint devices must be secure and have the right anti-virus and anti-malware detection on them as well as virtual private networks (VPNs) to encrypt traffic between the end point and the company environment, but with collaborative cloud-based office platforms, CRMs and video calling and instant messaging tools, the consistent threat to IT managers are the employees themselves and the email inbox!
Despite spam, malware and other malicious software screening, the level of sophistication of hackers and bad actors is constantly putting networks and infrastructures at risk either in a centralised office or in a distributed environment. Throw Artificial intelligence (AI) into the mix and IT Managers have another headache. AI can be immensely helpful in detecting suspicious activity and patterns, but also extremely tricky at the same time to detect as we examined in our recent cybersecurity articles.
Making sure remote workers are regularly trained in IT policy and best practice as a mandatory policy to be able to WFA is a prudent step to take when adopting a WFH/WFA strategy. And in a distributed cloud environment looking at a unified security solution should also be part of the strategy, according to Lloyd Tanaka of Checkpoint Software who thinks:
“Traditionally, organizations have established security protocols in conjunction with internet gateways. However, this approach only works when the number of access points are minimal and controlled, such as in a company’s office building,”
“When it comes to securing a WFA environment, making remote access work for all your employees requires must-haves, including, VPNs, real-time threat intelligence, a Zero-Trust approach to access management, and mobile and Internet of Things (IoT) device security.”
Tanaka also suggests IT Managers think about a unified approach to security in a distributed cloud environment and adopting Secure Access at the Service Edge (SASE) instead of managing point solutions. This, Tanaka suggests allows organisations to protect remote users and offices, consolidate networking and provide security-as-a-service.
“With SASE, organizations can lower OpEx and increase security at scale. Protect your distributed workforce with security that’s simple to implement, easily scalable and offers optimal management controls,” Tanaka said.
87% of employers said they anticipate prioritizing tech and digital infrastructure investments that support sustained remote work, according to the Boston Consulting Group
Lloyd tanaka
Before Covid forced those that could work at home to do so, one of the main concerns companies had around WFH was largely centered around declines in staff productivity and staff collaboration, but in an in-depth study of the U.S. Patent & Trade Office (USPTO) started in 2012 by Harvard Business Review of working from home revealed that productivity actually increased by 4.4% without any loss in quality of work or work having to be redone.
Whereas a study by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) of 12,662 workers in the US, Germany and India found that during the Covid pandemic, 75% of employees said they had maintained or improved productivity levels by WFH. Although, the number was lower for collaborative tasks and cooperation,. Over 50% said they were able to maintain high levels of collaboration with co-workers including across geographical boundaries, which is encouraging for employers who have had concerns over how collaboration can work without in-person meetings and increasing requests from employees to WFA.
In a separate study the BCG estimates using its analysis, as well as data from Forbes and Global Workplace Alliance estimates, that productivity can increase between 15-40%, a massive 40% reduction in absenteeism, can reduce staff churn by 15-20% and reduce real estate and associated costs by 20%.
Many commentators have attributed the increased productivity of WFA to the reduction in commuting to places of work. Traditionally businesses have looked to locate offices in large cities or towns that often have very high retail and renting prices, meaning the majority of the workers have had to commute into work from surrounding areas because they can’t afford to live near the office location. In addition, the quality of life in the suburbs or further away is usually much better than living in overcrowded city centres. So, workers have traditionally had to balance the stress and unproductiveness of the commute with the benefits of where they live even if it means that days are usually longer and there is less time at home and family during the working week.
Cities and towns have built vast networks of public transport to ferry thousands of people into them every day, these networks are often unsuitable for the increasing numbers of people who wish to use them leading to uncomfortable overcrowding. There is also a loss of productivity due to the dead time involved, where working whilst commuting is rarely possible despite advances in smart phones, WiFi connectivity and high-speed transit.
For places with high retail and rental prices such as London, two- and three-hour commutes are not uncommon. Now with the introduction of HS2 rail, the UK is rather questionably looking to transport even more commuters from the north of the country into London in addition to the traditional south and southeastern commuter belt. Perhaps now after three years of people working remotely and wanting to continue to do so, providing high speed internet connectivity rather than high speed rail would be a better solution for rural areas and areas where there are fewer job opportunities. Just getting to work can be an extremely stressful and energy zapping experience that can also affect people’s productivity when they arrive, which in turn can lead to more sick days as employees have to juggle the usual pressures with work, with commuting, school schedules and other factors.
For those that can drive to work the pressures are similar with overcrowding on public highways and perpetual roadworks to fix the infrastructure from too many vehicles. In addition, with the increases in tolls and low emission zones to enter cities and towns over a long period of time the extra costs combined with the current high fuel costs, are influencing many workers to look for WFA options to save costs, decrease carbon footprints in favour of increases in productivity.
And in terms of collaboration, the advancements in platforms such as Teams or Zoom has shown during the pandemic that staff can be just as, if not more collaborative by the ability to have video calls, instant message, and share files in the cloud. However, some employees have noted that even with collaboration tools, the ability to approach someone in an office at their desk, or in a communal eating space or even for a coffee, is something that they miss about WFH.
Combined with the high costs of commuting, in addition to high housing and rental prices in urban and suburban areas, the appeal to work in cheaper rural areas or in warmer climates can be beneficial for both younger and more senior employees. Inc. notes that for employees on a starting wage, WFA gives them the chance to reduce costs which would be the equivalent of a pay rise without their employer having to raise salaries. For more senior or longer tenured workers, WFA can offer the ability to relocate at more retirement friendly locations that would encourage them to remain in employment longer and retain their skills and experience in the organisation.
Or in other instances, employees could locate nearer family members that may have already retired and may welcome being closer together for support and well-being.
With less commuting, there are naturally positive knock-on effects to public transport and infrastructure and potentially less cars on the roads. Not only will this help employees save money on commuting charges but will also help reduce emissions on roads and for those that need to commute by public transport, more space on the trains and buses!
Since the pandemic, many employers have also made savings on the physical size of workplaces and therefore rent and other costs to heat and cool employees as hybrid, WFH and WFA policies have continued. According to research by the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics:
“Telework is also related to changes in the physical size of workplaces. Among the 6 percent (of its study) of establishments that reduced the square footage of their workplaces since the start of the pandemic, 63 percent increased telework.
“By contrast, among establishments that either kept their square footage the same or increased it, 31 percent increased telework. Relatedly, among the 4 percent of establishments planning to decrease their square footage in the next 12 months (as of the time of the survey), 52 percent increased telework since the start of the pandemic. Of the remaining establishments, 32 percent increased telework.”
And considering the current energy crisis which has mandated several countries in Europe to have set climate controls in term of maximum and minimum temperature for summer and winter months for public and working environments, WFA can allow employees to work from cooler spaces in the summer and hotter areas in the winter, while organisations can save on overall energy costs.
Many companies have encouraged staff to join gyms by giving discounted incentives or participate in sporting activities such as yoga or have things like bicycle subsidies in place to encourage staff to cycle to work. Why? Because it has long been considered that a worker’s physical health directly correlates to good productivity and less sick days. In its survey, the Boston Consulting Group found:
“Employees who have experienced better physical health during the pandemic than before it is about twice as likely to have maintained or improved their productivity on collaborative tasks as those with worse physical health. This highlights the importance of building time for sleep, exercise, and nutrition into the new work routines.”
And with the increasing awareness of mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, employers need to be mindful of how to support remote workers with the same schemes as the physical office to ensure that remoteness does not become isolation or feeling out of the loop with what is going on. Again, there’s a distinct correlation between productivity and collaborative tasks and good mental health.
Moving forward, WFA will not be for all organizations, but the future of work looks increasingly hybrid with many companies surveyed by BCS expecting 40% of employees will be remote workers. To this end, employers will increasingly introduce or refine WFA and hybrid models to allow staff to switch seamlessly between spending time in the office, interacting with colleagues and managers and experiencing the company culture and general buzz of in-person interactions, with the ability to WFH and WFA.
With technology and cloud increasingly making WFA a reality for a lot of workers just as long as end point devices are managed and secured in the same way application data is managed and secured in the cloud, companies can attract and work with the best talent anywhere in the world whilst offering more local staff the flexibility of hybrid working, that will in turn lead to improved productivity, a happy and healthier workforce and significant reductions in building and energy costs.
1. Childcare is more flexible during holidays and school pick-ups times
2. Less sick days as people have a better work/life balance and tend to be healthier
3. Better productivity
4. Better flexibility for staff to keep physically fit
5. Improved mental well-being for those that are comfortable in working remotely
6. Lower living costs
7. More time with family or closer proximity to family and friends.
8. Reduction in physical office space and associated costs
9. Improved ESG goals
10. Attract the best staff from anywhere in the world
1. Online security: Humans tend to be the weakest link in the security chain. Managing point solutions can lead to overcomplex environments.
2. There is some concern the effect that pervasive WiFi and more recently 5G is having on the environment, especially for bees and migratory birds.
3. Worry that a company’s culture and values can be lost in a 100% WFH scenario.
4. Social connectivity enables us to be collaboratively productive which is more present in an office environment
5. Not all work and functions are suited from WFA
6. Reduced physical fitness as more workers become sedentary
7. Increased chance of mental health issues due to lack of interpersonal interaction
Harvard Business Review - Our Work-from-Anywhere Future
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Flexjobs – Top 30 Companies That Hire Work-from-Anywhere Jobs
Indeed – 23 Jobs You Can Do From Anywhere in the World
Newsweek - Radiation From Cellphones, Wi-Fi Is Hurting the Birds and the Bees; 5G May Make It Worse
Digital Nomad World – Live Everywhere, Work Anywhere
Tech Journal – Work From Anywhere: Concept or Reality
BCG - What 12,000 Employees Have to Say About the Future of Remote Work
BCG -Remote Work Works—Where Do We Go from Here?
[/um_loggedin]Hope for the best by preparing for the worst: Knowledge Exchange examines the five key trends for ITDMs for 2023 and beyond.
As we enter the last few days of 2022 it is a customary tradition to do a bit of navel gazing about what the next year will hold for the IT Market and what hot topics will keep ITDMs awake at night next year.
As we end what has been for many, a rollercoaster of a year, there seems to be plenty of things that will cause a few sleepless nights in the months ahead!
Therefore, it is important to identify and adapt to these trends in a world that has had a perpetual round of shocks in the last decade that in more recent times has seen: a global pandemic, inflation, global supply chain issues, energy and food crises and latterly geopolitical instability through war. There are also many concerns over increasingly sophisticated criminal and state sponsored cyber-attacks.
With another global recession on the horizon, it is more essential than ever to have the best and most actionable data, combined with continued investment in employee and customer value propositions, in order to ride the wave of these uncertain times.
In the first of this two-part piece, BNZSA will identify the key trends and challenges in the market for 2023 and beyond.
Many commentators have been tracking the long-lasting implications of Covid on the workplace and what knock-on effects it has had on the provision of IT services and employee working practices. While the race to look for more collaborative technologies during lockdowns and social distancing measures was a necessary first response to a natural disaster, most industry watchers believe that hybrid and remote working will continue after the pandemic.
In November 2022, a YouGov study on behalf of IT service and consultants NSC noted “… organisations should expect this to be a permanent and persistent pattern in their workplace and to prepare for this long-term shift.”
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It also believes that this paradigm shift is the ‘new norm’ and that increasingly companies will move to a ‘distributed enterprise.’ The report also noted that the global market for IT and business services grew 29% to $84.2 billion in 2021 as businesses reviewed and implemented new technology to improve “overall long-term business resilience.”
In order to fully utilise hybrid-infrastructure, ITDMs must factor in the following trends. With opportunity, comes potential challenges and risks, which if not fully planned for may bring some nasty surprises along the way.
The knock-on effect of the long period of remote working is that many employees now associated office-based jobs with an unnecessary and expensive commute on backed up highways and overburdened public transport networks.
Whereas hybrid and remote ways of working offer more flexibility, productivity and time to be with family. Many workers have decided that going forward they want to work for companies that will offer remote or hybrid working, according to analyst Gartner.
It found that nearly half of employees surveyed wanted to work for companies that offered more hybrid work and latterly shorter working weeks. It also stated that the “employee value proposition must change for hybrid work and respond to shifts in employee expectations”
In its report, Gartner has identified these key future work trends:
In conclusion, Gartner believes because the ongoing transformation in the way knowledge workers work, the move to hybrid working will prove great opportunities for companies. However, it will also provide potential risks such as increased exposure to cyberattacks, which we will examine below.
Other factors such as the way companies have traditionally procured and managed hardware look likely to change as demands for more bring (or use) your own devices (BYOD) grows and the demand of purchasing more mobile devices rather than traditional desktop devices grows.
Break fix services will also be a consideration for the future in terms of maintaining, services and replacing devices. And with a growing need for employees to monitor activity and productivity of remote staff, there looks likely to be some concerns about how much data companies are holding on employees, how it is processed and other concerns that ITDMs will have to manage as part of ongoing privacy policies.
While YouGov/NSC found, in a survey of 263 business executives, that 79% of respondents had a digital transformation plan in place, almost half cited that legacy technology as a key constraint. Many are now looking to cloud migration or companies that offer as-a-service solutions, to not only help with their digital transformation plans, but to also maintain solid customer value propositions and customer experience.
To this end, YouGov predicts that demand for as-as-service offerings will rise. And this can also mean how companies hire staff. According to Gartner, in looming recessionary times functional leaders must get “recession ready.” And this means being agile in securing talent.
For BNZSA’s clients, the demand for BDRs-as-a-service and SDRs-as-a-service also looks set to rise in 2023 and beyond as companies look to backfill existing shortages or look to grow pipelines and closed won revenue by adding instant ‘virtual’ resources at a fraction of the cost of traditional FTEs.
During the pandemic, a lot of the traditional face-to-face (F2F) ways to educate potential customers on IT products and solutions and generate sales pipeline such as conferences and events were put on hold. In turn, this has accelerated many companies to look to digital solutions and social platforms to educate and also for lead generation provision.
While it is universally accepted that ‘content is the backbone of any buyer journey or customer experience. Analyst company Forrester notes that currently marketeers must catch up on critical skills to ensure content will deliver its ‘intended impact’. It also notes that having a pre-pandemic approach to content provision and content syndication in an increasingly sophisticated digital landscape will not yield the results or ROI that marketeers and sales people expect. While we may have to wait for the Metaverse or some similar virtual reality platform to interact with brands, there are plenty of smarter ways for companies to use content on current digital platforms.
To this end Forrester advises five important focus areas for content provision, effective digital campaigns and providing the right content to the right people at the right time:
As we approach 2023, it seems that while most companies may claim they have a digital transformation in place, it may be hindered by a number of factors that need to be addressed and fixed.
If for example, legacy hardware is the reason why cloud migrations and as-a-service provision is faltering, looking to companies that provide managed services and have the necessary infrastructure in place could be a short-term solution to allow ITDMs and marketeers to focus on other areas of the business that need to be fixed such as content.
Like managed service providers, there are a number of agencies like BNZSA that can not only create the content for your campaigns but also manage both the awareness and the generation of marketing qualified and sales ready opportunities.
While the migration from on premise infrastructure to cloud computing has been happening the enterprise for some time, it is quickly becoming a top priority for the mid-size market. According to YouGov/NSC, it found that: “in 2021, cloud spending by small and midsized businesses shot up significantly, with as many as 53% spending more than $1.2 million annually on the cloud – up from 38% in 2020”.
It also states that companies are increasingly looking for cloud-based solutions “to keep up with digital transformation and ensure remote workers have what they need to stay productive”.
Considering the above trends and challenges of modern workplace, hybrid computing and digital transformation, it is small wonder that YoGov/NSC found that execs from all sizes of companies ranked cloud services between 80-93% as the most important technology for their business post Covid.
In terms of best practice around cloud migration, there is a whole range of advice around whether to ‘lift and shift’-migrating existing architecture to cloud-based services, ‘refactor’ or fully refactor, according to AWS cloud migration partner Cloud Bridge that notes
“In our experience, there is no ‘right’ way. The key decision is whether to modernise as you move, or afterwards.”
With the move to more hybrid and remote working combined with the growth of using more “as-a-service” offerings by cloud migration and outsourced human resources is creating more security threats for both enterprise and mid-size companies.
The holiday period is also a prime time for cyberattacks according to managed services provider, Transputec that warns:
“The main issue with cybersecurity over Christmas is that many organisations are severely understaffed during this time. Employees are often underprepared when the cyberattack takes place, and even struggle to deal with recovering from the damages done after the cyberattack. Detection and response times are much higher in Christmas than any other time of year as a result.”
“Cyberattacks are more prevalent since organisations just don’t have the defences in place to deal with the numerous forms of cyberattacks. In particular, ransomware attacks increased by 70% during the holiday period of 2021.”
According to Transputec, as well as raising awareness of cyberattacks over the holidays with staff and running compliance courses, it is also important to add things like multi-factor authentication to accounts and devices:
“This will provide an additional layer of security that makes it more difficult for cyber-attackers to bypass. Cyber-attackers have often been able to guess or steal passwords. Having multi-factor authentication helps your organisation become less susceptible to social engineering.”
Going forward into 2023, YouGov/NSC notes that “67% of the C-suite see the single biggest “headache”, with technology today, as Cybersecurity.”
While Analyst Gartner also notes that for audit departments, executives see Cyber threats as a growing risk in 2023.
“Fewer than half (42%) of audit executives are highly confident they can provide assurance over cybersecurity risk — although 81% plan to cover cybersecurity in audit activities. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and resulting geopolitical hostility could lead to increased cyberthreats. Even before war broke out, organizations believed that actors sponsored by the Russian government targeted them.”
However, there are certainly solutions. Having a strategy and backup in place to deal with cyberattacks is crucial concludes Transputec that observes:
“Since cyberattacks are more common during the Christmas season, it’s also important to have backups of your data in the case of a successful cyberattack. With cloud computing being commonly used, having a physical backup of your data could be a life-saver”.
Stay tuned for part two where we will offer some tips and advice from our internal experts, clients and ITDMs, using real world examples on how to adapt for these challenges.
With a likely recession, companies have to become recession proof in order to ride the wave.
Becoming recession proof does not necessarily mean cuts but smarter ways of working and by better use of collaboration technologies, hybrid, cloud and ‘as-a-service’ offerings
Employee and customer value propositions look likely to be maintained with the shift to the above two points.
Security in the new distributed enterprise is key to ensuring the successful transition from traditional workplaces and on-premise infrastructure to hybrid and remote working facilitated by cloud computing.
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