For a majority of businesses, the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a dip in sales, a shift in how workers perform their jobs and a rise in uncertainty about what the coming months bring. But it doesn’t all seem to be doom and gloom. Some industries are instead seeing a number of opportunities emerge — especially around how day-to-day operations manifest. Here are some of them:
1Viability of Remote Teams
Most of my career has been spent working remotely for the organizations I serve; relying heavily on travel, video conferencing and collaboration platforms. So many forward-thinking organizations embraced this ability long before the mandatory shelter-in-place orders began. However, the work-from-home directives of the past eight weeks have shifted the workforce that way, forever changing the way organizations conduct business on a day-to-day basis. Time will tell if the ability for employees to work remotely will stick after facilities begin welcoming employees again, but the ability to offer this level of flexibility is an unforeseen opportunity that has come out of the current pandemic. The introduction of virtual learning opportunities, webinar discussions and collaboration through unified communications tools into the workplace is having a positive effect on teams across the globe.
2The Rise of Managed Services
Part of diversifying a portfolio involves engaging in a more service-based approach to business. Establishing a monitoring services department, integrating a cloud-based video and/or access control service into the mix or bringing more system monitoring services in play can go a long way in offering more than hardware-driven sales. We’ve talked a lot in the last several years about so many organizations transitioning from large capital expenditures (CAPEX) to more operational expenditures (OPEX) and the opportunities this presents to integrators; now is the time for providers to harness this trend for the health of their business.
3Limited Touch Installs
In-person and face-to-face meetings and consults have taken a backseat in the business world; similarly, the pandemic has also given rise to the trend of limited touch software installs via a cloud-based network. The opportunity to market yourself as a tech company that provides this level of service and “limited touch” has created an added level of value, as this characteristic is in high demand. Manufacturers offering such technology have a unique advantage over more traditional companies that rely heavily on on-premise technology.
4A Renewed Focus on Business Continuity
This global pandemic, and the effects it has had on the workforce, has significantly altered what many organizations deem “normal” day-to-day operations, meaning that many are asking one key question: “Can my business withstand this?” Business continuity is emerging as a major focus for all industries, with many organizations shifting gears to accommodate the rise in demand for basic services, the shift to remote work, the rise of telehealth initiatives, and in more software-focus industries, the emergence of service-based offerings as a means to inject much-needed recurring revenue.
5Interest in Cloud-centric Infrastructure
When people think about cloud, they tend to experience a level of uncertainty, referring to questions like “Is it proven?” “Does it perform like on-premise solutions?” “What are the risks associated?” This kind of thought process is understandable — and typical when it comes to adopting any new technology — but in reality, taking a step back can help make things seem clearer. As so many businesses currently address a threat landscape unlike anything they’ve seen, leaders are tasked with thinking differently about how best to protect their facilities — and that means shifting their mindset to incorporate new technology platforms that push the envelope on innovation. But the cloud brings a number of things we like to call “ilities” to the table: scalability, flexibility, usability and visibility, changing the face of business as we know it during these unprecedented times.
Though the coronavirus pandemic has added a number of complexities to companies around the globe, there are ways that organizations can create opportunities and change course in an effort to address demand for service-based infrastructure and cloud-based initiatives. Implementing these changes now has the potential to pay dividends toward a more sustainable business future amidst a changing landscape.
