It is now theoretically, and in many cases literally, possible to run a successful business using nothing but a desktop computer. South Africa’s digital revolution has given way to enterprises that leverage technology to drive every aspect of their operations, everything from sales and marketing to finance and logistics. Prioritising technology is also critical for any business that wants to stay relevant and competitive. As South Africa’s digital ecosystem matures and e-commerce continues to grow, digital-first companies will take the lead, driving innovation and further digital transformation across the country.
Becoming digital-first means re-evaluating your digital infrastructure. As software and applications become more critical to organisations, they need systems that are up to the task – not just in terms of hardware capability, but also in enabling businesses to pursue their own software projects or embrace new technologies such as AI.
PCs: The all-in-one business solution
Businesses do not have to be a particular size to be digital-first. Small-to-medium enterprises led by a digital mindset can leverage applications and technologies that meet and scale according to their needs. Over the last decade, and especially in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis that forced many businesses to digitise, entire suites of dedicated, cloud-based tools and resources are now available and priced to fully support even lone entrepreneurs and startups.
Going digital is an exercise in building business resilience. Digital applications enable enterprises to meet customer expectations and make gains in productivity and efficiency. They can offer their customers omnichannel experiences and become data-driven, using unlocked insights to make informed decisions and refine their organisational strategy.
Add the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) to the mix and becoming digital-first becomes all the more essential. According to a report by Salesforce, 75% of small-to-medium businesses are currently investing in AI for tasks like automating workflows and improving customer interactions. On the other side of the scale, Fortinet research shows that 85% of companies across South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria have already invested in or plan to invest in AI within three to five years. In short, software and data define the modern enterprise, big or small.
Hardware that’s up to the task
With so much emphasis on businesses utilising digital technologies to grow and evolve, what does that mean for the infrastructure and systems that businesses use to access them?
Today, computer hardware underpins almost every function, and that dependency is growing every day as information technology continues to play a greater role. In other words, digital apps and software can become resource-intensive and businesses need to ensure they not only invest in powerful enough systems but keep those systems up to date and secure.
For example, businesses that need to run AI workloads on their devices may discover they do not have a graphics processing unit (GPU) that’s up to the task, or their hardware does not meet the technical requirements and minimal specifications for AI-enabled applications. The nature of brand partnerships between manufacturers and software developers may also lead to businesses’ systems not being optimised to run the applications they need. This is important as manufacturers begin to offer PC solutions that are specifically oriented towards AI use cases.
Meanwhile, businesses may run into issues that are the result of ageing hardware and software. A good example of this is the upcoming deadline for the end of support for Windows 10, the most popular version of Microsoft’s Windows operating system (OS). The end of updates for the OS leaves businesses still relying on it exposed to security risks and compatibility issues, which can hinder overall business growth and resilience.
Take a strategic, long-term approach to digital infrastructure
In the years to come, South African professionals and enterprises will look to their technology as the primary driver of business. Whether it’s a single laptop computer or an expansive, cloud-based IT stack, technology will be the element that enables growth and distinguishes enterprises as agile and competitive.
Part of that will be balancing enterprise needs with their hardware and software capabilities. They need PC and digital solutions that not only fulfil the essential business functions of today, but that will lead to them developing and leveraging the innovations of tomorrow. By investing in future-proof systems, systems that can effortlessly handle digital applications, workflows, and projects, South Africans can pursue their own initiatives and become working examples of a digital-first, digitally driven enterprise.
- Werner Joubert, Commercial SYS Director for South Africa & SADC at ASUS
