In: Computer Science
What are the biggest information technology challenges post covid-19. Discuss solutions
The biggest challenge for IT industry after covid-19 is to assure securities for personal life, personal data and health for every human being
The effects of COVID-19 are having a significant impact on the technology sector, affecting raw materials supply, disrupting the electronics value chain, and causing an inflationary risk on products. More positively, the disruption has caused an acceleration of remote working, and a rapid focus on evaluating and de-risking the end-to-end value chain. In addition, potential carbon emission reductions could result in renewed focus on sustainability practices.
· Hardware/software
· IT services
· Semiconductors
· Network equipment
Most companies already have business continuity plans, but those may not fully address the fast-moving and unknown variables of an outbreak like COVID-19. Typical contingency plans are intended to ensure operational effectiveness following events like natural disasters, cyber incidents and power outages, among others. They don’t generally take into account the widespread quarantines, extended school closures and added travel restrictions that may occur in the case of a global health emergency.
There is server issues created in covid-19 for tech industry
Issues that the technology industry might face
Crisis management and response
Business continuity planning does not account for the uncertainty of an evolving pandemic.
Raft of industry event cancellations mean fewer business development opportunities.
Vastly diminished business travel results in fewer client interactions
Workforce
Staffing concerns ramp up for full-time employees, as well as gig workers, such as drivers, delivery workers and retail staff, who often work as contractors.
A slowdown in recruiting resulting from the crisis could affect a future pipeline of skilled workers.
Cyber security risks are likely to rise as a result of more people working remotely.
Tax and trade
New state and local tax implications arise for workers who are now remote as a result of the crisis.
Tax compliance operations could lag, as newly remote employees lack timely access to information.
In the short term, changes to income statements — such as short-term losses — will affect forecasts.
Supply chain reconfiguration triggers tax implications.
Customers
Some tech sector companies rely on overseas consumption, which has slowed since the outbreak.
Customers are delaying purchases because the pandemic has exacerbated an already uncertain global economy.
Technology support may struggle to keep up with increased customer needs on applications.
Operations and supply chain
Production slows as a result of global supply chain disruption.
Cash-flow challenges will test undercapitalized companies and may require alternative sourcing and/or the need to subsidize during the crisis to confirm readiness in its aftermath.
As companies seek business solutions to address remote work, social distancing and the need for in-store alternatives, the demand for developer and engineering talent is likely to increase. Retaining top talent will be essential
Financial reporting
Operational, workforce and supply chain disruptions will trigger financial reporting implications in current and future reporting periods.
Public companies will face increasing pressure to disclose revised guidance related to the COVID-19 impact.
Post covid-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the life and lifestyles of people across the globe. Government has enforced lockdowns to curb the spread of the deadly virus. Work from home is the new reality for many businesses as they struggle to operate during these uncertain times. Schools and colleges are conducting online classes to complete their syllabus; social distancing is the new norm in grocery stores and E-commerce companies are making Covid-safe deliveries to their customers.
1.
“Virtual”
meetings: With lockdowns, and
travel restrictions, face-to-face meetings and ‘huddles’ will need
to be redefined. Industry will experience an increase in virtual
meetings. Already, applications like Zoom and Google Meet have seen
a sudden spurt in users. From meetings with only 4-5 participants,
to huge international seminars and conferences with thousands of
participants all have already moved online. This trend is likely to
continue in the post Covid world as people maintain social
distancing etiquette
2. Online Education:
Post the lockdown, a large
chunk of academia has gone online. Schools, colleges and coaching
centres are conducting online classes via video conferencing.
Dedicated education apps have witnessed a huge spurt in growth as
students are learning concepts on their mobile phones. A few
colleges have also conducted tests online. It is expected that some
of these trends will continue in the post Covid period as well.
Many universities and school education boards have recommended that
schools and colleges should attempt to complete some portion of the
curriculum online, even after the situation becomes
normal.
3.
5G: With
the increasing demand for faster and higher bandwidth networks, due
to remote working, 5G which is the next generation network designed
with “Service Based” architecture might get adopted faster. 5G
provides greater quality of service based on the network ‘Slice”,
which caters to a particular service type, such as IoT, Low latency
applications etc. For example, for a remote surgery use case, where
low latency is a critical parameter, 5G can perform better than the
current networking solutions.
4. Shared
Spectrum: Technology trends make it clear that in
a post Covid world, more content will be watched and consumed on
mobile devices, be it in form of video conferencing for a meeting,
an online class, or Video for entertainment. Even before the
pandemic, video occupied over 70% of the content transmitted over
the mobile network. This will rise exponentially in the post Covid
world and will overburden mobile networks which are not designed to
handle such load. To prevent network congestion and improve user
experience, the communication companies will use “Shared” spectrum.
There are various types of shared spectrum options. Dynamic shared
spectrum such as TVWS, CBRS give additional coverage and capacity
to provide connectivity to unconnected populations. We can also
have sharing of spectrum between two different networks- such as
Broadband and Broadcast networks. One such example of a shared
spectrum is Saankhya Labs’ 5G broadcast. This is a 5th generation
data transmission innovation which is a convergence of Broadcast
and Broadband spectrum
5. AI/ML based
Communication: Artificial Intelligence and Machine
Learning (AI/ML) will be playing an increased role in the
communication solutions of the future. When communication is being
done using shared spectrum AI/ML systems will be continuously
monitoring the load on the various networks. Based on the data
type, network load and number of users the AI/ML systems can help
networks make a decision to choose the most optimum parameters to
deliver content – For example: networks can make a decision to
switch the transmission from one spectrum to another on a real time
basis. These systems will help greatly improve the user
experience.
6.
Virtualization: With more data being transmitted the
mobile operators would have to ramp up the network infrastructure
in order to support this large volume of data. Ramping up physical
infrastructure is very costly so many operators will opt for
virtualization to reduce the capex and opex. For example, RAN
virtualization is adopted by many network operators which separates
the network functions from the hardware. This gives scalability,
elasticity and leads to a more flexible, agile and cost-effective
network. Virtualization also will lead to disaggregation and open
network architectures. This also gives way for innovation and newer
players to provide cutting edge technology to better manage the
network.
7. Rural
Broadband: Covid-19 has changed the demographics
of cities. The lockdown followed by the loss of jobs triggered a
reverse migration from cities to villages. It is not certain how
many of them will choose to return once the pandemic scare has
passed. However, it is envisaged that the migrant population will
take back some city amenities, such as 24-hour internet
connectivity. Mobile internet connectivity and the world of
opportunities that it opens up will lead to a greater demand for
high speed internet connectivity in rural areas as well - for
everything, from govt. services to tele-education, tele-medicine to
e commerce. Many innovative wireless technologies can provide
faster and cost effective alternatives to current optical network
solutions to rapidly deploy connectivity across the country. One
such example is IEEE802.22 based Fixed Wireless Access technology
which utilizes unused UHF spectrum and can be used for middle mile
and last mile network coverage.
8. IoT
Solutions: There has been a rapid proliferation of
“smart” devices which are connected to the internet. Post Covid-19,
as a result of social distancing norms, there will be a larger
growth in such devices. We will see the use of “Smart” devices in
“Smart” homes. For example, “smart” refrigerators will take stock
and order groceries online. Such “Smart” devices will require
regular software upgrades which will be transmitted via the
internet. Companies could use 5G broadcast to broadcast a software
upgrade patch to all their devices, making it cost effective while
also reducing congestion in the mobile network
9. Remote Sensors
and Monitoring Solutions: Slowdown in travel will ultimately lead
to proliferation of remote sensors and monitoring solutions. These
sensors and monitors will be installed in remote areas like
agricultural fields, oil rigs, remote factories and warehouses,
mines etc. They could be controlled and monitored from a central
location. Fixed Wireless Access solutions can be used to provide
connectivity between the central location and the remote
locations.
10. Satellite based
asset tracking solutions: In many places across the country where
mobile network connectivity is patchy, there will be an increase in
remote asset tracking solutions. This is because movable assets
such as trains, trucks, fishing boats, etc continuously move in
these areas. In the absence of mobile network connectivity,
satellite connectivity will be used to send and receive data from a
central control location.
The biggest challenge for IT industry after covid-19 is to assure securities for personal life, personal data and health for every human being as we discus that there will be 10 huge changes that human kind accept.