14 december, 2020. – This year the world came to an almost complete halt: in the second quarter of 2020 Spanish GDP fell by 21.5% compared to the same quarter of the previous year. After the standstill, when the world is still trying to get going, changes are happening at great speed and uncertainty hangs over the future of companies. For this reason, Vector ITC, an international technology and digital group, analyses the impact of digital acceleration in the new low-contact era.
Before the arrival of the COVID-19 the world was already in a process of transcendental change driven by technological advances, but the crisis has helped to open the eyes of those who were still reticent about the advances that new technologies could bring. Today, companies are trying to assume an environment of new normality by constantly reinventing themselves to be able to offer their products and services in the safest way. Greater use and acceptance of new technologies is essential for technological restart.
The situation of physical isolation has caused a greater digital opening. Thanks to the possibility of having a digital ecosystem driven by technological advances, people perceive that in this situation it is not necessary to leave their homes to cover their needs (communication, leisure, physical activity, work, etc). This new paradigm has meant that certain business models have experienced a strong boost. For example, the popularization of home delivery and e-commerce has been a lifeline for many companies, especially those engaged in retail and hospitality. Manufacturers must look out:
Interdependence, and more specifically dependence on analogical processes, has been raised as an obstacle to be overcome during this crisis. In this context, the concept of Low Touch Economy arises, not only as a description of the phenomenon of adaptation of businesses to the pandemic situation, to guarantee the continuity of their activity, but also as a reflection of how this adaptation of companies and people will involve new habits, new channels, operations and technologies, which are already part of the present, but above all of the future.
At this juncture, technology is emerging as the backbone of the company of the future. So much so that, according to Spiceworks, 76% of companies plan to implement technological changes as a result of the pandemic, and 44% of them are accelerating their digital transformation plans. Especially those of greater size, which not only have greater investment capacity, but also have more complex processes and supply chains.
“In this restart of an interdependent, fast and complex world, it will be key to define a resilient digital acceleration strategy based on emerging technologies, but without forgetting that technology (which has gone from being a dehumanising element to the best method for remaining connected and interacting) is the one that must adapt to the human being, and not the other way around”, says Rafael Conde del Pozo, Digital & Innovation director, Vector ITC.
For more information on the subject, download our White Paper at the following link.
Karen Liedl
