The Sunday Mail
Senior Business Reporter
The post-coronavirus period is expected to drive growth in the country’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, particularly through rising demand for tailor-made products for emerging sector-specific needs.
It is believed that the disease has opened up horizons for inventors and innovators.
“It is going to be a very exciting time (post-Covid-19) for the ICT sector, as every business shall need to marry its operations with ICT solutions.
“So, ICT shall be a necessity, it shall be part of business in every trade one is in. Businesses will require ICT solutions and players will have to formulate tailor-made solutions that will answer the timely needs of their clients,” said ICT expert Mr Prosper Mu- tswiri.
Most businesses are reportedly requesting working-from-home solutions and cloud hosting services.
“ICT companies should adopt what we call ‘Bespoke ICT solutions’. Bespoke ICT solutions are the new direction of digital services, where they tailor-make solutions for each trade and business,” he said.
Brick & Mortar
There is a demonstrable shift, he added, from expensive brick-and-mortar offices to cost-effective virtual offices.
Mr Mutswiri said: “The post-Covid-19 era will also see reduction of office cost and new opportunities will emerge in the form of space redesign, remote working systems, software business, cloud solutions and other collaboration services, distributed workforce and these calling for platforms.”
Experts also say ICT companies need to invest in research and innovation more than ever before.
Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Deputy Minister Dingumuzi Phuthi said the adoption of ICT solutions by companies would likely markedly reduce operational costs.
“Certainly, the sector is set for a boon. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought ills with it but on the other hand given people an opportunity to wake up from their slumber.
“The work-from-home principle has taught industry and individuals to embrace ICT solutions in very innovative ways that also cut costs,” he said.
“For once people have collectively realised the importance of connectivity, online learning, online marketing and sales, data affordability, interoperability in the mobile money transfers, e-health or telemedicine among others.”
Government would ensure the growth of the ICT sector, he said.
