Digital Transformation is Nearly a Teenager by Rebatho Madiba @BCXworld

Hi Guys, 

It’s been just over ten years since digital transformation became an integral part of the business environment, writes Rebatho Madiba, Business Development Digital Platform Solutions at BCX, but as it grows older, is it meeting expectations?

In 2015, the World Economic Foundation identified six megatrends that were set to change the face of business and society and every single one was aligned with the concept of digital transformation. From how the internet would become a social and physical extension of people’s lives and experiences through computing and storage everywhere to the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and the digitisation of matter, these trends are now an inherent part of society today.

Some of these trends have already reached significant milestones, and others are expected to achieve their tipping points – a critical point that results in unstoppable change – over the next few years. One such milestone is the mega-trend of people and the internet, where their interaction with the web becomes a ‘mental, social, and physical extension of themselves’, is expected to reach 80% of people with a digital presence on the internet by 2023 with the tipping point in 2025. Today, 59% of the world’s population uses social media and enhances their digital presence through online platforms and connections, and this is only set to become more immersive as trends like the metaverse continue to gain traction.

Driven by the pandemic and the need for people to find innovative ways of working and connecting online, digital has become as much a part of daily life as cars and shopping. It has reshaped how people communicate and collaborate and it has supercharged productivity and performance. In the 1980s, communication was in person or by post. Today it’s faster than a thought. Organisations can’t afford to be left behind which makes 2023 an opportunity to focus on platforms and technologies that empower people from anywhere and that ensure their online presence is always on. This is where solutions that provide access, data networks, wireless and unified collaboration capabilities are key as they enable the industry and fulfil online requirements through omnichannel applications.

Another megatrend, one that’s now so commonplace in boardroom discussions that it’s hard to imagine a business without it, is that of compute, communications and storage everywhere. The tipping point for this technology is anticipated to be in 2025 with, as cited by Statista, just over five billion people on the internet as of April 2022. This highly connected population has seen the radical and accelerated transformation of online experiences which has, in turn, driven the need for scalable and elastic computing power that can be accessed from anywhere, and that can deliver on demand.

Moving forward, applications and services will only get hungrier for data and capability. Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 technologies and innovations will have to be rendered from highly reliable and flexible platforms and quantum compute is very likely to bring physics into computer science to create devices and environments that are minute – that optimise space and capacity. Moving forward, companies need to collaborate with service providers that offer a wide spectrum of cloud and computing solutions that can directly address their challenges and help them overcome obstacles impacting on their scale and productivity. This is particularly true of the challenge of data sovereignty that has inhibited many companies, especially in Africa.

IoT has, of course, been a part of the IT landscape for a long time but has only recently started to deliver on the promises it made when it first entered the business landscape. Today, the number of IoT-connected devices worldwide is expected to reach 29 billion by 2030, says Statista, and is at 13 billion as of 2022, according to the IoT Industry Council of South Africa, IoT is expected to reach an installed base of 21.5 billion active and connected devices by 2025 in this country. Add to this the connected realm of the metaverse and the megatrends of compute and people, and you can see how IoT is about to become an integral part of the metaverse and thriving business operations.

To fully realise the potential of this technology, companies should ally themselves with partners that have a proven IoT track record and that can empower them with technologies that are appropriate for their industry and niche. This could be Industrial IoT (IIoT) solutions that drive visibility into the oil and gas pipeline through to IoT within retail and automotive logistics that translate customer experiences and vehicle monitoring through intelligent IoT applications.

BCX has this proven track record across all key mega trend touchpoints and has proven value in its applications and solutions designed to help organisations reshape their investments into AI, automation, machine learning and compute. With our support, you can fully realise the potential of digital transformation as it stands today – a more mature and far more powerful entity that can fundamentally refine your growth and operations.

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The World Is Changing. Witness The Future @rAgeExpo #rAgeExpo2022 #agalaxyofgeek #escapetoplanetrAge

Hi Guys, 

From the latest technology to the future of gaming, life and business, this year's rAge Expo at the Gallagher Convention Centre will offer attendees a feast of the future. At rAge, everyone from gamers and geeks, to business people and casual fans will all be able to dive in, explore and immerse themselves in the trends, innovations and creations that will impact our world over the next decade. Innovative new ideas from the Metaverse to virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud gaming will impact the future.

With gaming now bigger than the movie and music industries combined, there can be little surprise that many technological advancements will soon be impacting how we interact with and play our favourite games.

Despite challenges, tech companies like Facebook, Valve and Sony are busy investing significant resources into developing more efficient VR hardware and games. With VR set to unlock, rather than hinder, more social aspects, experts are saying it can expect to seize a significant percentage of market share over the coming years.

Blending the virtual with the real, augmented reality is going to change everything from gaming to training sessions for new employees, shopping, and even live entertainment. Augmented reality (AR) is also set to become a significantly more impactful part of daily life. Backed by another significant tech advancement in AI, AR is surgeons being assisted with their decision-making to apprentice mechanics being guided through part replacement, and CEOs plotting and understanding their company's multiple data points.

Of course, AI will also find its way into gaming. Gamers should expect non-player characters (NPCs) to become a lot smarter in future as AI gives them the ability to learn and adapt to the players' style and past actions. This can already be seen in games like Halo 2, where enemy aliens now have the ability to work together and coordinate their attacks, rather than heedlessly charge into gunfire one at a time like action villains from an 80s movie.

AI won't just be part of the in-game system but will also become part of the game-building system. For some time, game designers have allowed AI to construct elements in their games like trees and rock formations, freeing them up to focus on more complex elements, but taken to its logical conclusion, this facility may see AI used to create gaming maps, levels and surroundings on the fly, effectively making games capable of being an entirely new experience every time and creating endless sandbox opportunities for genuine, immersive content. Imagine a game that collected background data, slowly learnt the things the gamer loves doing the most and adapted the experience to better fit what the gamer enjoyed.

With incoming High Fidelity graphics, games are expected to feel more real too, generating worlds that look as crisp and as realistic as the ones we live in. PC Gaming companies like Nvidia are taking the lead in creating graphics cards that allow for high-fidelity gaming.

When all of these elements come together, it's clear that we are no longer simply looking at whether the futuristic Holodeck from Star Trek will become a reality, but when.

This technology will likely be backed up with highly sophisticated financial systems that may rely on cryptocurrencies or related technology. Financial experts have weighed in of late to suggest that crypto is by no means dead but merely maturing. Will it become a niche technology used mainly to shift money around the globe illegitimately, or will governments step in and regulate crypto like any other currency? Perhaps it will be a blend of the two?

All of this will undoubtedly be linked, or at least connected, to the Metaverse. This virtual, three dimension embodiment of the internet is currently only used by a small percentage of companies and businesses, but this is set to change. A recent Gartner Marketing Survey found that 35% of consumers have never heard of the Metaverse. Still, as per projections, Gartner expects that by 2026, 25% of people will spend at least one hour a day in the Metaverse for work, shopping, education, social media, and entertainment.

“When it comes to the way we behave and interact, the metaverse has a lot more in common with the physical world than with the flat screen Web 2.0 world, says an executive fellow at Henley Business School Africa, Louise Claasen. “People that work in and on these spaces are solving for digital and virtual ownership, interoperability and democratisation of ownership, collaboration and participation. Drawing a distinction between the virtual world and the 'real' world is a misnomer. Life will happen ever more seamlessly for us across our physical, digital and virtual worlds.”

While currently, no one knows for sure what the Metaverse will look like or how it will completely change our lives, there is an absolute certainty that it is coming, and the result will be similar to when the internet launched and changed the game for companies and individuals around the globe.

These topics, and so much more, are among those that will be discussed at the rAgeX conference on December 9th. The conference will host speakers, sessions, and panel discussions, and will be focused on discussing the technologies, from crypto to the Metaverse and machine learning, that are changing our planet and teaching attendees how to wield them for business and personal success. More casual observers may simply wander the stands experiencing the latest mind-blowing technologies, interacting with the true capabilities of modern gaming and trialling the cutting-edge innovations that are changing our world. The future is here, and it's all in one place – rAge Expo 2022. Get your tickets and witness the next step.

www.rageexpo.co.za

#rAgeExpo2022:

Dates: 9 - 11 December 2022

Expo times: Friday: 10:00-18:00 | Saturday: 09:00-18:00 | Sunday: 09:00-16:00

Day pass: R180 per person at Howler

Weekend pass: R400 per person at Howler

Kids under 6: Free

Venue: Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Gauteng

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Dive Into The Metaverse @rAgeExpo #rAgeExpo2022 #Metaverse #20yearsofawesome

Hi Friends, 

Over the past twenty years rAge has become the place for those in the know to get the latest on all things gaming, tech and geek, but this year the expo is launching something a little different – something no modern business can afford to miss.

In the real world, rAge will be held at the Gallagher Convention Centre, but our true destination is the Metaverse. The rAgeX Conference taking place on the 9th of December will assist experts and newcomers alike to come to grips with this universal and immersive virtual world, which is helping companies around the globe connect with their clients in deeper and more meaningful ways. As well as covering the Metaverse, the conference will also help attendees discover the benefits of VR, AI, big data and machine learning, the algorithms and functionalities of TikTok, Cryptocurrencies and the internet of things and much much more.

With 36 speakers, over 8 sessions, and 6-panel discussions, conference goers will leave having gained a firm understanding of the technologies that are changing our planet, and how to wield them for business and personal success.

“Now is the time for SA businesses to start exploring the opportunities of the Metaverse and web3 technologies. The current rout in tech stocks and cryptocurrencies reminds us of the dot-com boom when the real gems like Amazon and Facebook emerged after the duds went belly up”, says tech executive and keynote speaker Rutger Jan van Spaandonk. "At the rAgeX conference, we’ll look at the major trends in this space and hopefully help you pick the winners of the next internet iteration."

The future is happening as we speak. Join the rAgeX Conference and make sure your business is not left behind.

Tickets to rAgeX include access to rAge Expo on Friday and are available to buy online only via our official ticketing partner, Howler, or for more information go to www.ragex.co.za

rAgeX 2022:

Date: Friday 9 December 2022

Time: 09:00-18:00

Cost: R600 per person which includes one day of access to the rAge Expo

Venue: Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Gauteng| 9 Richards Dr, Halfway House, Midrand, 1685| GPS: 26.0017° S, 28.1297° E

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Let's Make Things Smarter With #GalaxySmartTag @SamsungMobileSA #ProductReview

Hi Friends,

We are flooded with things that we need to carry along with us as we embark on a journey outside our home and sometimes during those situations we always lose control in terms of not finding the keys, bag as we roam around the house and our eyes are not able to see the thing right in front of us. That's what haste makes you as you go like a headless chicken yelling at the top of your voice and feeling irritated at the kids, wife or any other family member or maids. I have seen moments like this in my life from time to time despite commanding that the keys should only be kept at this location, the bags shall go here in this almirah, the important documents shall be put in this file but in our day to day living those rules are missed from time to time. When you miss these rules due to whatever reason, there is going to be an incident soon enough. 

Samsung has launched a new device that can keep your small worries away that can reduce your irritation and also enables that you keep track of them using your smartphone or even smartphone in case you lost that too. The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag comes in two versions Tag and Tag+. The Smart Tag basically makes anything trackable. The other function performed by a SmartTag is to enable any IoT device to turn on or off using the press of a button on the tag. The SmartTag only weighs 13 grams and feels like a premium device in its rounded square shape. It has a keyhole slot to attach to your keys, pets locket or anything which has importance in your life. 

Samsung SmartTag works on Bluetooth 5.0 technology and has a coverage of around 120meters. It has its own battery CR2032 which will last for around 300 days. There is a buzzer speaker which buzzes when you want it to use the SmartThings app preinstalled on a Samsung device. Using the app you can assign what happens when you press the button or keep it held. Using both the options you can control your other smart devices, send notifications to anyone and do various other things. You can adjust the volume and ringtone in case you want your tag to find your smartphone. It can be any other ringtone that is not assigned as a regular one on your smartphone making it easier to listen and identify your lost phone. The app also shows the battery capacity left in the SmartTag with sufficient being 16-100%, Low 6-15% and Very low from 0-5%. 

The best part is if you have multiple tags attached to various living or non-living things you can name them too. Also, you mark the category to which a particular tag is assigned to options being - 

• Key
• Cat
• Dog
• Backpack
• Briefcase
• Wallet
• Bike
• ID card
• Umbrella
• Emergency item
• Car
• Car Key
• Camera
• Luggage
• Stroller
• Remote
• Motorcycle
• Drone
• Laptop
• Wheelchair
• Handbag
• Toolbox
• Sports Gear
• Headphones
• Tumbler
• Scooter
• Cane
• Walker
• Other

So as you can see the options and use is based on what your brain can think of as Samsung has provided you with the latest technology to enjoy. I really loved the option of attaching them to a Drone, Car or cane. The drone is something that gets flown away and has its own way of losing and the last I read the location drone provides is not exact whereas the SamrtTag will be able to navigate you to the exact location where your drone lost its power. The car is also one category which can help you during those shows where you park some kilometres away from the stadium and gets lost after the show. It has happened to me a lot during the Monster Trucks shows as well as always in one of the shopping malls and a yearly event of The Rand Show in Johannesburg, South Africa. I am sure the SmartTag will now guide me to the car and I need to test this feature on my next trip. 

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag retails around R499 per piece and there are 2 pieces packs also available at some discounted prices from various online retailers. It's currently only compatible with Samsung Galaxy smartphones as well as tablets with Android versions higher than 8.0. In the end, SmartTag is something unique and makes your things smart just be a simple attachment to the same. There are a lot of accessories that will be built across this new device once the market starts responding to this and the adoption factor becomes high. The Galaxy SmartTag + is another option you can go for but I have not had my hands on the same so far. I currently only have a single SmartTag but I intended to have a collection of the same in different colours for my several items which I want to track in the future. Thanks, Samsung South Africa for making smart gadgets and bringing us a worry-free life! Thanks!!!

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What The Internet Will Look Like In 2021? @SupersonicFibre #WeLoveSimple

Hi Friends, 

This time a year ago the big news in the telecommunication space was the impending shutdown of South Africa’s ADSL service. Who would’ve thought that one year later we’d see unprecedented internet usage volumes, daily Zoom calls increase by more than 2000% and biometric, no-touch facial recognition technologies take centre stage to avoid physical contact in any public space?

“The ‘future’ we anticipated has been thrown into the present day as the world continues to navigate its way around the COVID-19 new ‘norm’,” says Calvin Collett, Managing Director for Supersonic. “We are being forced to up our game by building infrastructure quicker, expanding and upgrading network capacity sooner than planned and look further than just internet connectivity and come up with solutions that focus on meeting the need of future internet and connectivity usage behaviours.”

Calvin believes that 2021 will indirectly ‘formalise’ a hybrid model between the physical office and WFH (work from home) scenarios. He says that businesses will subsidise the setup of effective WFH environments, robust back-up solutions will be in demand and IoT (Internet of Things), AI (artificial intelligence) technologies will assist with automated scheduling and interactive video conferencing. “What will be interesting to see is how businesses learn to manage this hybrid model from a productivity perspective.” There is no shortage of digital tools companies can use to manage their teams’ output, but Calvin anticipates that we’ll start to see expert services and training facilities cropping up to analyse and interpret the data to be able to optimise workflow and reporting efficiencies. “Exception reporting will lead the charge in optimising productivity analysis.”

“We have seen a significant increase in the level of productivity across our team since March despite global sentiments about how individuals were going to manage to continue to work amidst their domestic circumstances,” says Calvin. “What we have identified, however, is the skillset shift that is separating and underscoring the self-starters within our business. Meetings have become succinct and turnaround times have reduced.” Calvin highlights that an area that is still in limbo which no business has gotten quite right yet is the work/life balance. He says this will be an important part of the WFH evolution as the traditional 8-5 mindset will be pushed out of its comfort zone. 

Image: Calvin Collett, Managing Director for Supersonic.

For more information on Supersonic, visit their website, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram

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@SamsungSA #2016 Predictions See The #IoT and #Mobility Connect and Serve

Hi Guys,

Connectivity and user experiences driven by the Internet of Things (IoT) and mobility – the key trends to keep an eye on for Samsung Electronics South Africa in 2016. Organisations that are prepared to utilise technologies that leverage relationships and engagement are well placed to remain competitive in a challenging economy. The Business-to-Business (B2B) market is in a strong position to evolve alongside the changing demands of clients and provide the applications they will need to succeed.

“Mobile device penetration continues to rise and solutions that are capable of enhancing the mobile experience will be successful,” says Mike van Lier: Director of Enterprise Business Division (EBD) at Samsung South Africa. “The IoT has become more than just a phrase, it is now a way of doing business. The reliance on connectivity has increased year-on-year and this trend is likely to continue this year.”

It is important to note that, IoT is not just for the smartphone and tablet. Any smart technology, which includes white goods and printers, can be tailored and transformed to provide integrated data – making life easier for both businesses and consumers.1According to statistics, more than 50 billion appliances globally will be connected to the internet by 2020 with an economic value of nearly $US 2 billion. Africa has already adopted the technology with a total of 128 million people, 52% of the global market, connected to one another in the mobile and machine to machine spaces (M2M).

“A study by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers’ states, 57% of South Africa’s internet traffic comes from mobile devices. This ranks the country higher than many other developing countries on the mobile traffic scale. The smartphone population penetration is around 47% with 23 million active smartphone users2,” adds van Lier. “As a result, both retail and enterprise are in a unique position to take advantage of the technology and embrace deeper development and engagement.”

The connected retail space isn’t new, but the futuristic view is rapidly becoming a daily reality. As an example, consumers in Japan are already talking to lifelike robots instead of shop assistants. In South Africa, e-commerce is improving in both functionality and adoption – which offers an opportunity for businesses to improve their engagement with consumers. Nevertheless, foot traffic remains alive and well and this means that retailers must still invest in signage and messaging that is relevant and visible.

“Retailers need to merge the physical and digital to create inspirational and relevant shopping spaces,” says van Lier. “Consumers don’t just buy anymore; they want to experience and engage with a brand and product.

Samsung has invested in innovations that deliver targeted advertising solutions that form a part of every touchpoint in the shopping experience. Virtual fitting rooms, mirror displays and mall signage are all great ways of capturing consumers’ attention in a cluttered environment.”

Of course, connectivity is as important within the enterprise space and this year is likely to herald a shift in innovation and development. Office infrastructures are evolving to support the mobile employee and wireless technology is core to this process. IoT allows for the operational integration of connected devices to the right technology in order to allow communication to be effective.

“Truly efficient business settings depend on a reliable and fast network to meet the expanding demand for bandwidth,” says van Lier. “In order to support IoT and enterprise mobility, solutions such as Samsung’s WLAN platform assure improved end-user experiences with faster connectivity.”

Finally, the tedious processes of the past are about to be replaced by connected devices printing directly from anywhere and on any platform. “Cloud printing is just one of the ways in which offices will become smarter and more convenient,” concludes van Lier. “The applications are endless and the potential for streamlining business processes, improving productivity and saving on costs is already proven. IoT is here, what the organisation needs to do now is reevaluate the way it has been doing business. Trends contributing to a connected world are real and to stand out they have to implement solutions that map back to their strategic goals for long term success.”

To discover more, please visit Samsung's official website at www.samsung.com and official blog at global.samsungtomorrow.com.

Sources

1. We are Social Report 2015 (IoT)

2. Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers’ (KPCB’s)

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