The COVID-19 outbreak has brought forth its own set of obstacles, but also served as a catalyst for companies to display inventive and adaptable decision-making skills. From small to large organisations, CEOs and CFOs have had to devise novel strategies and adopt quick measures. Armed with these skills, they are now anticipating and preparing for the “next normal” post-pandemic.
Numerous prominent trends today are technology-driven. But it’s not sufficient to merely prioritise technological advancement. In order to flourish, companies need to enlist the aid of skilled professionals. Seeking assistance from software engineers in domains such as consulting, innovation, software design and cyber security may prove advantageous for companies seeking progression.
Companies are presently confronted with the challenge of executing goals in a few months’ time that would have ordinarily taken several years – underscoring the urgency for speed. What’s more, with competitors intensifying their efforts in anticipation of the pandemic’s conclusion, businesses must maintain their current pace in order to sustain success. This article delves into how outsourcing software engineering is bolstering digital acceleration in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Consulting
For an effective digital transformation, it is imperative that businesses possess a comprehensive comprehension of their present situation and any prospective objectives. With the assistance of proficient software developers, valuable research and guidance can be obtained to strategise and design an effective digital plan.
Ever since the start of the pandemic, numerous businesses have faced difficulties in adapting to the challenges of managing a remote workforce. Although some companies have managed to makeshift a solution by utilising several off-the-shelf applications, this may not prove sustainable in the long run. As an increasing number of businesses adopt a remote work policy, it is important to address this issue, as many of them aim to sustain this policy even when the pandemic subsides.
A prospective digital strategy could entail the creation of a platform that amalgamates numerous operations – such as communication, production and management – that are currently conducted through distinct applications, which may not be entirely compatible. Through the knowledge of how other organisations are addressing equivalent challenges, software development professionals could provide bespoke solutions built on their own insights.
Innovation
Adopting new strategies that utilise technology can prove advantageous for businesses in a range of industries – including the technology sector, energy, healthcare, e-commerce, manufacturing and retail. A case in point is the escalating acceptance of telehealth as a feasible system of administering medical care. Nevertheless, it is crucial for medical professionals to be able to evaluate the effectiveness of their treatments.
Healthcare facilities can turn to software experts to provide solutions, either by proposing pre-existing solutions or creating customised programs to suit individual requirements. The retail industry has been compelled to adapt to the need for social distancing, but novel technologies such as ‘touchless’ shopping and online support could aid in the industry’s recovery.
Chatbots and robots are progressively gaining prevalence across various industries. Beyond their traditional function as an FAQ generator, their purpose now extends to offer more advanced solutions utilising Natural Language Processing (NLP). This enables them to furnish more personalised and comprehensive responses to customer queries. In the future, such chatbots could potentially be employed for an array of tasks – such as scheduling appointments and monitoring patients’ vitals.
Robots are demonstrating an exceptional degree of utility in the healthcare and industrial spheres, where they can perform tasks such as taking patient temperatures, meal delivery and cleaning with heightened efficiency. It is hypothesised that in the future, robots may even be equipped to handle routine office work like typing and phone calls. Amazon, which is noted for its widespread use of robots in its warehouses, vehicles and drones, has recently acquired a robotics company – further underscoring the potential of this technology.
Security
As technology marches forward, it grows progressively susceptible to cyberattacks, particularly in the case of IoT and other cloud-based, internet-connected technology. Regrettably, owing to a dearth of proficiency, businesses oftentimes assign cybersecurity a lower priority in favour of more immediate concerns like attaining sales and production objectives.
Failing to comply with the appropriate protocols could result in a plethora of potential consequences – ranging from relatively minor problems like production setbacks, to considerably more grave outcomes, such as the compromise of confidential customer data. In the event of the latter, resources that could be utilised for innovation, production or customer service may have to be redirected to tackle the issue.
Cybersecurity experts are recognising the growing importance of considering internal threats. As a consequence, Zero Trust security frameworks are increasingly being adopted. To achieve this, continual authentication, authorisation and validation of all system users should be implemented, and dedicated professionals in the field can offer expertise in devising suitable strategies for organisations.
Businesses that already possess an established internal IT team could still derive benefit from seeking the counsel of a cybersecurity professional before implementing any major technological changes.
Designing Sophisticated Software for Big Enterprises
Software experts with a wealth of experience in advising, innovating and addressing cybersecurity issues are excellently positioned to conceive and construct custom-made applications. One example is omnichannel communication, which is indispensable for fulfilling customers’ expectations of being able to contact support staff through any device and at any time.
The problem is that pre-packaged business systems might not be capable of providing the requisite specifications. When companies require bespoke functionality to develop a product that fulfils their and their clients’ requirements, software engineers are essential.
Experts in this field can aid businesses in becoming self-reliant in software development. By using low-code and no-code platforms, even those individuals without programming proficiency can design customised software using simple drag-and-drop graphical components. While these options may be restrictive for building complicated systems, they can be a feasible alternative for developing simpler and more streamlined systems.
Crafting Cutting-Edge Standards
It seems that the post-pandemic ‘new normal’ will resemble the accepted norm that was established during the pandemic. Consequently, as companies move forward, digital transformation will be characterised by innovation, swift decision-making and the elimination of outdated constraints. As these companies embark on this thrilling journey, it would be worthwhile learning from the experiences of those that have already undergone this process.
