TECHNOLOGY MARCHES
FORWARD
By Robert Hessel
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 105
As this decade comes to
a close and I reflect on
the previous 10 years,
it is impossible for me
to overlook the numerous
technological leaps the world has
experienced. From the new Tesla
Truck to the Internet of Things,
the growth of technology has
been exponential and it pulls
in even the least tech-savvy of
consumers. The advancements
within the last 10 years have
been an inescapable tidal wave of
innovation, and those who do not
participate are getting left behind.
The biggest developments within
the last decade altered the way
consumers live and the way
businesses operate by adding
a large degree of efficiency and
becoming the catalyst for change.
One of the most important innovations in the last decade is cloud
computing. Cloud computing allows companies to streamline their
IT infrastructures and scale their technological needs according to
their growth. It has made it possible for companies within a period
of growth to meet their technological needs with a level of ease that
wasn’t possible before. Source 1 offers cloud solutions that assist
companies in this regard. Before cloud computing, to grow their
technology and to meet the demands of business, companies spent
a large amount on hardware as well as personnel to structure and
manage their hardware. Now, businesses have the luxury of storing
data outside of their offices, creating an added layer of security and
fail proofing that simply wasn’t available before. Not too long ago,
backup systems were primitive in comparison, and tape libraries
were used to back up information. If a tape was damaged or lost,
that data was gone. Cloud computing has eliminated that factor
and has enabled companies to expand without being held back
by their level of tech-savvy.
Artificial intelligence is another of the largest developments
within the last decade that has evolved and streamlined daily
life. Smartphones, chatbots, Alexa, Google Home are among the
developments that have now integrated themselves and become
the norm. Artificial intelligence has given companies the ability
to create intuitive systems that anticipate the needs of consumers.
As this technology grows, the number of things that can be done
to assist clients and to grow businesses will increase rapidly. It is
essentially enabling people to do more things at once, which makes
it an invaluable tool.
The Internet of Things is a part of what makes Artificial
Intelligence successful. It has become a niche field of expertise
and allows companies to collect data so that machine learning
or artificial intelligence can analyze it. It makes the workplace
more convenient, more efficient, and more profitable by allowing
businesses to study areas for
improvement. Additionally, it
limits downtime and interruptions
in service so that productivity isn’t
affected. The technology that utilizes
the Internet of Things makes daily
life easier on the consumer side as
well and has birthed things such as
smart thermostats, smart devices,
smart switches, and lightbulbs, etc.
It is more proof that technology has
given businesses and individuals
ways to make things easier and
more efficient and this change has
occurred in both small and large
increments.
4G and 5G is another fairly recent
technological advancement that has
been transformative. 4G became
readily available to mobile operators
around 2012 but offered a significant
improvement in download and
upload speeds. Within a few years, coverage increased and this
year 5G became available. This growth has been compared to the
telegraph being implemented in the 19th century. The possibilities
society has been a witness to as a result are remarkable.
A more recent technological advancement that seemed to come
out of left field is the Tesla Truck. Elon Musk is responsible for
several big technological leaps and is known for making waves,
but this is perhaps one of his most talked-about endeavors. The
Tesla Truck brings to life the idea of having a truly “smart” car –
something which was once a figment of the imagination or an idea
from an ‘80s TV show. What makes this technology so amazing
is its accessibility to a demographic that could only previously
dream and window shop for a piece of technology like this. It
comes with one, two, or three electric motors, has off-roading and
towing capabilities and has a proposed 500-plus mile range. While
it looks like something from Back to the Future, the Tesla Truck will
be the first to allow drivers of “green” vehicles to drive such long
distances on one charge. If Tesla can deliver upon its promises, this
should be a game-changer.
Source 1 Solutions implements best practices for clients and
has dedicated experts to assist businesses in riding the waves of
technology and the effects that these changes bring on the business
front. Although some of the advancements seem overwhelming,
the changes are exceedingly beneficial to large enterprises and
businesses who want to embrace their growth. Being informed and
staying up to date is critical, and that’s where Source 1 Solutions
can help.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Robert Hessel at Source 1 Solutions can be contacted
at (727) 538-4114 or by visiting source1solutions.com.
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