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Joe Weppler / December 11, 2020

Say Goodbye to Slow Downloads and Poor Connections: Four Ways Business Will Benefit from 5G

As we head into our 10th month of working from home, it is hard to deny the way we work has changed and continues to change as we move through each month. The pandemic is not the only cause of the shift to remote work though. For years, businesses have started to look for the best talent regardless of the distance, and with each technological advancement, an office-space becomes less and less essential. The next big tech trend expected to change the way we work is 5G.

5G stands for “fifth generation” and is the latest generation in a series that started with 1G, the analog cellular technology. 5G delivers fiber-level speed, moves more data, allows more devices to be connected, plays higher resolution videos, allows for large IoT networks, and enables the use of Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality.

5G is expected to help businesses of all sizes increase their capability and allow them to accomplish more in a shorter period. Here are four ways 5G helps businesses:

Productivity and Efficiency

Anyone who has worked from home has probably experienced lagging and delays. Waiting for a document to load, a virtual call to connect, or a slideshow to share is annoying and cuts productivity. A fast network sends documents instantaneously, downloads videos in seconds, and supports glitch-free video calls. Overall, a fast network improves productivity and efficiency for every business.

5G has an increased capacity across a larger frequency which allows for higher speeds compared to earlier networks, like 4G. Having increased speeds means all employees will be able to work remotely with little to no delays. On 4G employees connect to an Ethernet cable or access personal or public WI-Fi to complete work. 5G lets companies upload all their data to a cloud-based, cellular-distribution network and employees will be able to easily access the data by connecting to a modem.

Functionality

Not knowing when they will be back in the office, many businesses have developed alternative ways to work remotely. For some, this can be completed easily. For highly collaborative and hands-on jobs, it is difficult. Collaborative jobs will benefit from 5G since the network will make it easier to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR) to bring people together.

Recently, businesses have used AR technology to help remote employees work in a shared virtual space, and virtually look at the same object. AI has similarly been used to make working from home easier through the use of Chatbots and automated IT systems. A 4G network limits the use of AI and AR tools, and many businesses cannot utilize the tools. Once 5G is rolled-out on a wide scale, more companies will be able to benefit from AI and AR

Customer Services

As more brands rely on e-commerce, and less on brick-and-mortar sales, providing quality customer service has become harder. Fast shipping, quick response times, and a good return policy are a few ways companies can provide good service. 5G networks will enhance their abilities.

5G networks increase the speed and accessibility of websites and allow customers to experience the products virtually. Top-grossing brands, like Amazon and Gucci, use AI to let consumers “try on” products or view items in their homes. As AI becomes more accessible, more retail brands will be able to implement the tech on their sites.

Onboarding

Over the last nine months, businesses adapted their hiring and training strategies to accommodate remote workers. When you are training people remotely, a good internet connection and high bandwidth can make a huge difference. Remote training needs to be perfected to maintain an efficient work-from-home system. 5G will help create a better remote training experience by making it easier to send documents and get rid of spotty video calls. Another exciting point is the use of AI. Since 5G will make AI technologies more accessible, companies will be able to create immersive training experiences.

Joe Weppler / December 4, 2020

Eight Supply Chain Trends to Watch in 2021

Supply chains are an essential part of most businesses. The ability to get products from point A to point B without delay is pivotal to creating a successful business with a healthy bottom line and happy customers. In 2020, the success of the supply chain was threatened by changing consumer habits and increased restrictions brought on by the pandemic. Supply chain management teams had to work quickly and seamlessly to re-work supply chains, increase resilience, and re-consider current strategies. As a result, supply chains will go through major upgrades in 2021. To help your business prepare for the new year, we’ve put together a list of top trends expected to lead the industry.

1: Agility

If we have learned anything from 2020, it is the importance of adaptability. At the start of the pandemic, the supply chain was immediately impacted, and the effects were felt at every level– from manufacturer to customer. Supply chain managers had to quickly adapt to manage the shift in demand and the various delays. The development of agility throughout the supply chain made the transition easier.

Historically, supply chains focused on familiarity and were not built to quickly adapt to new circumstances. Over the last few years, managers worked to update supply chains by adding new technologies to increase agility. As we go into the new year, still facing a pandemic, agility is expected to play an important role in supply chain management.

2: Green logistics

Another trend taking over the supply chain is sustainability or green logistics. Managers are realizing the importance of sustainability in the supply chain process and have made huge steps in lowering carbon emissions and cutting excess waste. Green logistics do not only benefit the environment. A recent study found 66 percent of millennial’s are more likely to be repeat customers if the company values sustainability. A green supply chain can also benefit a company’s bottom line by being more cost-effective.

In 2020, we saw this shift take hold of the eCommerce industry as more businesses opted to use less packaging and cut down on unnecessary waste. In 2021, we can expect to see more businesses adopting green logistical practices by creating Eco-friendly warehouses with energy management systems that have timers and gauges to monitor utilities.

3: IoT and Big Data

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the connection of powered devices to the internet. IoT technologies aid supply chains by improving transparency. Managers will be able to track a product from when the order is placed to when it reaches the customer and handle any problems along the way with ease. For example, transport vehicles can be equipped with sensors to provide live-updates, and IoT can be implemented in warehouses to track inventory and maintenance. Overall, IoT increases efficiency across the entire chain.

4: Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been growing in popularity among supply chain managers in the last few years because it increases efficiency and eliminates human error. The popularity of AI is predicted to increase in 2021 as companies try to regain control over their supply chain post-pandemic.

AI is currently being used to automate the supply chain and replicate complex content and procedures. Using AI to complete these tasks has improved inventory management, productivity, supplier selection, and customer experience.

Most importantly, AI has a skill known as “anticipated sense, and response capabilities,” meaning the tech can predict future problems and prescribe a solution ahead of time.

5: Supply Chain as a Service

Supply chain management teams are expected to get smaller as more companies start to outsource supply chain roles to external companies. Many companies have already started to outsource various roles including inventory management, logistics, and packaging. Before the advent of these new technologies, it would have been difficult to manage a decentralized supply chain, but now with the use of AI, IoT, and Big data, it is easier to track and manage multiple branches.

6: Circular Supply Chains

Currently, supply chains are linear, but they will soon be replaced by circular supply chains. In a circular supply chain, manufacturers break down returned or discarded products and turn them back into raw material instead of sourcing new raw materials. This trend is influenced by the sustainability trend and pushed along by stricter government regulations on recycling and waste.

7: Cold Chain

In the new year, temperature-controlled vehicles and facilities will be more prominent as the demand to ship more temperature-sensitive materials is needed. The impending COVID-19 vaccine is a driving force behind this trend. Once the vaccine is complete, it will need temperature-controlled transportation. Other medicines and the increased use of home delivery for groceries are also drivers of this trend. When working with temperature-controlled facilities and vehicles, companies need to work closely with various parties to maintain chain-of-custody and monitor the product.

8: Shorter Product Life Cycle

Despite sustainability being a leading trend across every industry, fast-fashion and planned obsolescence still dominate and the life cycle of products continues to get shorter. As the lifespan of products decreases, the number of products purchased increases since consumers buy new to replace the old. Supply chains need to be able to adapt to keep up with new demand while limiting any delays. To keep up, more businesses will increase the use of AI, IoT, Big Data, and other technologies to speed up the supply chain and limit the possibility of error.