With Covid-19 forcing some employers to continue their operations without workers on site, one of the main themes that will likely dominate the first half of 2021 is how companies will adopt and implement remote technologies and software to automate human work at an accelerated pace.
Futuristic work settings is among the themes we'll be following in 2021.
Here are six themes that will likely have the most impact on the Milwaukee tech industry in 2021.
Automation
One of the main topics discussed in 2020 was how human work can be computerized using certain algorithms. Whether it be in health care, financial services, insurance, or even processing food orders, companies are realizing the value in investing in softwares that automate certain processes, from generating quotes, processing loans, to patient check-in, allowing companies to eliminate lengthy paper work systems and giving employees more time to innovate or work on other tasks.
Going virtual
Meeting virtually will still be part of the "new normal" in 2021. That includes internal company meetings and social and community events, but also virtual sales pitches, business deals and health care visits. In 2020, Doximity, an online network for doctors, ranked Milwaukee 22nd out of the top 25 cities in the nation for fastest adoption of telemedicine technology. With more patients opting to stay indoors and meet virtually with their health care providers, spending for virtualizing health care can go up to $106 billion by 2023.
Innovation, adoption of HR Tech
How companies recruit, hire and onboard talent was already shifting to mostly digital platforms, but the pandemic has accelerated that process as well. Companies are relying on automated systems that use a combination of text and voice responses to take recruits through the hiring process while using online digital learning materials with visual elements to help new hires learn about their roles and the company they work for. Companies are also using data to help find diverse candidates, manage how companies meet compliance, schedule work shifts, administer benefits and orchestrate employee engagement.
Workplace technology
In addition to being virtual, in-company and client business meetings are becoming more reliant on document-sharing platforms that also allow the parties involved to share files securely. Not only are Wisconsin companies using this technology, but developing platforms as well. That includes digital signature technology, on-demand presentations, and software that produce data on how an employee is performing. Brookfield-based information technology company Concurrency, for example, partnered with Chicago manufacturer Clover Imaging Group to create a mixed-reality platform to help adults with cognitive disabilities find employment.
More e-commerce tech
Businesses in various industries and sizes, especially retailers, grocers and restaurant owners, have realized the importance of possessing efficient business-to-business and business-to-consumer e-commerce technology to manage transactions and inventory. Not to mention, it's what most customers have come to expect. This includes companies developing online marketplaces and platforms where people can make online transactions and technology to create the shipping and delivery of those goods.
Cybersecurity protection
According to Downers Grove, Illinois-based Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), cyber attacks and online scams skyrocketed in 2020 because of the pandemic, with cyber criminals trying to take advantage of the disruption of people working remotely, including using fake domain names and placing malicious apps in app stores.
