TECHNOLOGY


Technology trends for businesses


Sheila Pancholi (pictured), Technology Risk Assurance Partner at Chamber strategic partner RSM, explores the barriers that some organisations face to implementing innovative technologies.


A century ago the Industrial Revolution transformed the UK from an agrarian society to a nation powered by cogs, engines and steam. Now businesses are in the middle of an even greater revolution – fuelled by digital technology. Innovations have emerged at a dizzying pace. Few outside Silicon Valley could have predicted their arrival. Big Data, Cloud Computing, The Internet of Things, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence were not widely understood or adopted a decade ago. Now they are becoming a critical part of a business leader’s vocabulary. These developments have the


potential to transform East Midlands businesses, helping organisations become more efficient and productive. Yet few will realise these opportunities as outdated systems and working practices become roadblocks to change. Where there is technology, there


is also hype. However, there are a number of technologies consistently grabbing the headlines and being successfully utilised:


CLOUD COMPUTING IT software and services run over the internet instead of through computer hardware. This can enable organisations to become more efficient and nimble.


BIG DATA Digitally-enabled processes create torrents of data, offering transformational insights for those that can manage and analyse it.


ROBOTICS The development of smart software bots means businesses can now automate repetitive tasks in the back-office as well as the factory floor, allowing their teams to focus on value-adding activities.


THE INTERNET OF THINGS Sensors on devices collect and share real-time data. These insights help kick-start productivity and reduce downtime. Inventory can be tracked in real-time to optimise supply chains. Production line equipment can provide data to proactively target when preventive and reactive maintenance is required.


‘Outdated systems and working practices become roadblocks to change’


I regularly see East Midlands


businesses hold back from realising the benefits of digital strategies for one or more of five reasons:


1) A weak or missing IT strategy. Digital success needs strong leadership and joined-up effort across the business. Yet few businesses have an IT strategy that sets out their vision for the future.


2) A poor change culture. Few businesses realise expected returns on their technology investments. A poor change culture is often to blame: digital updates are regularly seen as IT projects rather than business transformation programmes. Integration suffers and untrained employees quickly find workaround solutions.


3) A skills deficit.Without specialist IT know-how, firms get caught in the hype of each new technology. Few consider whether the next big thing is right for their business or whether other projects could deliver the same benefits.


4) Poor risk management. Middle market businesses regularly overlook digital risks. Adopting new technologies without mitigating risks leaves end-to-end operations significantly exposed.


5) Clumsy digital architecture. New software and hardware is haphazardly bolted on to legacy systems, creating complex infrastructure that is difficult and expensive to maintain. As the digital architecture becomes increasingly bespoke, it becomes ever-harder to integrate new technologies and systems.


The digital age is dawning and


while so much is different, many key principles for success remain. Set a clear strategy with


effective risk management. Invest in developing a good culture and hire and develop the right people. Experiment and get started, and always take a long-term view.


‘Fibre First’ project rolled out in Nottingham


Nottingham is the first place in the East Midlands to be included in Openreach’s ‘Fibre First’ programme, where fibre optic cables take reliable, ultrafast broadband right to people’s front doors. Thousands of homes and


businesses in Gedling, where the work starts, are to benefit from the new Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) technology, thanks to Openreach, the UK’s largest telephone and broadband network. As well as adding even more


reliability and resilience to broadband connections and making them less likely to drop out, FTTP offers speeds of up to 1 Gbps - about 24 times faster than the current UK average of 46Mbps. The fibre connection will future-


proof homes and businesses for decades and ensure the city


‘Being part of the first Fibre City roll out will ensure Nottinghamshire remains at the forefront of digital infrastructure’


remains competitive on the national and world stage. Kay Cutts, Leader of


Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Our partnership work with Openreach through the Better Broadband for Nottinghamshire programme in recent years has helped make us one of the best connected counties in the country, with more than 98% of homes and businesses able to access superfast broadband. “Being part of the first Fibre City


roll out will ensure Nottinghamshire remains at the forefront of digital infrastructure, with all the economic and social benefits that provides. Having access to the


fastest and most reliable broadband is not only great for today, but future-proofs for generations to come. I am delighted that Openreach is supporting our ambitions for growth in Nottinghamshire.” Kim Mears, Openreach’s Managing Director, said: “This is the first step of our Fibre First journey in the East Midlands, as we get on with building the infrastructure the UK needs to stay ahead. So far across the country, our engineers have provided full fibre broadband technology to more than 650,000 premises, and we’re reaching thousands of new homes and businesses every week.”


Councillor Kay Cutts business network February 2019 67


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