Usage of technology can happen anywhere and at any time

Hidetoshi Kaneko, Director and Division Head, System Solutions and Communications Division, Panasonic Marketing Middle East and Africa.

Digital operations are more important than ever and many businesses are transforming how they operate. As the industry emerges from a chaotic year, 2021 seems to be the year wherein we rebuild, however, there is a slim chance that we will return to the old way of doing things. The industry will see increased digitisation of business functions. 

The technology industry is expected to reach $5 trillion in 2021, with the regional IT sector expected to make up to 5% of this. A huge part of this will be business adopting new technologies as remote work, automation and contactless technologies become normal. The entire approach to enterprise IT is changing. For one, businesses are placing much more emphasis on strategic IT, this means that technology is a driver for business objectives rather than simply playing a supporting role. The other big change is the nature of technology in the marketplace, especially emerging technology. 

The use of technology can now happen anywhere at any time, and more energy is being directed into the solutions that go on top of that platform. Broadly speaking, technologies like Internet of things or artificial intelligence are not standalone solutions but elements of a larger solution, often bringing new capabilities that enhance overall functionality and value for businesses. 

With access to technology no longer limited by location or constrained to one’s workspace, we will see more efforts pouring into creative solutions, further expanding the opportunities for technology manufacturers. 

Almost 20% of the technology industry will be covered by various emerging technologies, such as IoT, smart appliances & homes, AI, robotics and many automating technologies. Every industry will go through digitisation be it retail, education or healthcare. 

Solution providers, like Panasonic expect to see increased demand for solutions like automated entrance management, social distancing and occupancy management in retail.

For education sector, solutions like lecture capture over IP technology, devices such as 4K projectors and interactive displays, for live-streaming or download are going to see high demand. According to the World Economic Forum, the global education technology market for online education was projected to reach $350 billion by 2025.

Another area of growth is in assistive robotics in healthcare. Responding to market demands and their sustainable success in the coming year, Panasonic’s solutions will focus on addressing needs of each business in the new normal. 

Specifically, some of the products that you will see more and more would be IoT-enabled devices and products in both residential and B2B arenas that would bring forth convenience and comfort as well as AI-driven imaging video products and solutions, presenting solutions for security, safety and health under the new normal.

Hidetoshi Kaneko, Director and Division Head, System Solutions and Communications Division, Panasonic Marketing Middle East and Africa.
Hidetoshi Kaneko, Director and Division Head, System Solutions and Communications Division, Panasonic Marketing Middle East and Africa.

Key takeaways 

  • Every industry will go through digitisation be it retail, education or healthcare.
  • The technology industry is expected to reach $5 trillion in 2021, with the regional IT sector expected to make up to 5% of this.
  • Businesses are placing more emphasis on strategic IT, which means that technology is a driver for business objectives.
  • With access to technology no longer limited by location, we will see more efforts pouring into creative solutions.