Johannesburg, 17 Aug 2020
Companies around the globe have been forced to implement transformation projects that would usually take months, or even years, in a matter of weeks. The coronavirus crisis has had a profound impact on how businesses operate. As a consequence, it’s no surprise that compromises have been struck. Future-proofing has taken a backseat to focus on surviving in the here and now.
In advance of lockdown, businesses quickly scaled up remote work and collaboration tools, strengthened cyber security capabilities and network infrastructure, and equipped a distributed workforce with devices to maintain some form of ‘business as usual’. However, in some cases, sticking plasters were placed over the cracks in IT environments to provide at least some semblance of effective service delivery.
As restrictions ease, business leaders are planning what an eventual return to work might look like, and how technology will facilitate a shift back to the office. A period of optimisation will be essential for organisations to ensure that the emergency measures put in place at the beginning of lockdown, remain robust and adaptable for the future.
No cutting corners with digital transformation
IT departments now need to reflect and take stock of their IT estates and ask themselves the following questions:
- Are the emergency solutions implemented rapidly only a few months ago performing as efficiently as they need to be in a post-lockdown world?
- Is my IT environment as secure, robust and resilient as it can be to withstand the inevitable next lockdown?
- How do we support the front end of the business better to ensure that our customers can still trade with us, whatever the future holds?
As we look forward, in order to deliver the right business outcomes, it’s crucial that these technology investments are scalable, reliable and managed effectively, and any teething issues are resolved, while at the same time continuing to align with industry best practices, security standards and compliance frameworks.
Different ways of consuming IT
Despite being forced to re-evaluate how entire workforces operate, the remote working model has positively impacted many companies, often resulting in lower costs and increased employee productivity. No doubt many businesses will be planning for a more permanent flexible working environment. Indeed, according to a recent survey by PwC, 54% of CFOs plan to make remote work a permanent option. Flexible working is here to stay. This means that secure connectivity, collaboration and adaptable IT environments will be key features of any forward-looking organisation’s technology plan.
As a result of the increase in remote working, the demand for hybrid cloud computing services has skyrocketed and organisations are getting a real taste of the scalability, flexibility and efficiency offered by a cloud-based infrastructure.
This new reality has urged businesses to change the way they think about and consume technology. In today’s world, a hybrid cloud option gives organisations the fluidity to provide better support for a remote workforce, with on-demand access to data that isn’t tied to one central location. And, of course, business continuity measures can be improved dramatically with a hybrid option, as the adaptability of cloud solutions allow minimal downtime or interruption under exceptional circumstances.
The coronavirus pandemic occurred at a pace organisations hadn’t anticipated, but has enlightened business leaders to the possibilities of digital transformations through technology and adapting business processes. Those organisations that will thrive after the pandemic ends will have balanced their short-term needs with longer-term planning considerations and will be building the resilience their organisation needs now.
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