FX.co ★ Business on path to transformation in digital era

1. Business in constant state of flux

Mobile-cloud technologies provide business people with access to a global network of online resources. This is why nowadays, the greatest competitor is not the one who has long been in the market, but the one who can easily adapt to new business models. In the future, there will be a lot of budding startups and large technologically advanced corporations.

For instance, Kodak, the former leader of the photo industry, failed to accept the new rules of the game and went bankrupt in 2013, while Fujifilm, which has undergone a radical reorganization, flourished. Notably, Kodak’s crash has occurred at a time when people around the world take more photos than ever in the past. The reason is an outdated business approach.

Another positive example of an innovative business model is shown by banks without physical branches, such as Tinkoff, Touch Bank, and etc. Curiously enough, they are already competing with companies from other sectors (Telecom operators, Internet companies, and gadget manufacturers) that provide similar banking services.

2. Cloud technologies to dictate rules of business

Cloud technologies, a key driver of today's asymmetric business world, are currently represented by two separate entities with almost no connection to each other.

The creation of a unified hybrid cloud that combines corporate private clouds with well-developed management with public clouds and with a fast-delivery application, but weak management is the main IT requirement which will soon become a widely used tool by many firms.

According to IDC forecasts, the share of cloud services and related to them services in Russia will soon reach 13-15% of the domestic IT market.

To ensure the availability of computing resources for IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS models and adjust them to all requirements and regional features, modern companies should create a single hybrid cloud that covers all private cloud computing.

3. Virtualization as element of information security

A common universal technical architecture will help IT departments streamline security management and protect their most valuable resources – people, applications, and databases. By universal technical architecture IT experts imply virtualization. Virtualization is an extremely important element between the "lower" IT infrastructure and more significant elements such as applications and databases.

Innovative software allows companies to install a firewall to any network component regardless of whether it is a laptop or a server.

If modern corporations adopt the principle of virtualization in the near future, they will less likely experience large-scale hacks and data leaks which usually lead to multibillion-dollar losses. In Russia, experts advise such companies as VTB 24, MTS, and Russian Railways to apply to this new technology as they have already once compromised users' personal data.

4. Proactive technologies to replace reactive ones

Some IT experts assume that reactive (i.e., waiting for commands) technologies will soon be replaced with proactive ones that make decisions on behalf of the user, managing all processes – from routine to the most innovative ones.

Innovative solutions such as the smart home based on the Internet of things, manufacturing analytics systems, as well as a wide array of wearable and mobile devices, will enable companies to envisage all scenarios several steps ahead.

For example, fitness bracelets will allow its user to conduct a more complete diagnosis of the body. In case of any deterioration in indicators, data will be automatically sent to the hospital. Moreover, IBM Watson supercomputers will diagnose some types of cancer better than the most experienced physicians.

5. New market leaders to appear amid technological changes

Global technological changes are sure to lead to fundamental shifts within the technological sector.

According to the researches of the most credible agencies, over the next decade, 40% of the S&P 500 stock market index will cease to exist, merge with other companies, or restructure their business.

One of the most relevant challenges that both large and small companies are now facing is to keep with the constant changes because it ensures the stability, influence, and longevity of their business in the modern world.