The COVID-19 pandemic saw widespread technological innovations that allowed people to avoid getting infected by the virus. People started working from home while businesses started offering contactless payment options for their customers.
Even after the improving health situation, people continue to use these innovations due to their convenience. With this, industry watchers expect some technology trends that will affect businesses in the future, even after the pandemic subsides.
Increased Use of Contactless Systems
The pandemic saw businesses increasing contactless payment and delivery options to protect their customers and employees. Even after the situation improved, consumers continued to use these tech innovations since they provided a sense of security. This technology comes after the virus spread across the world.
Widespread acceptance of these contactless options points to their continued use in a post-pandemic world. Even after physical stores have started to open, consumers will continue patronizing shops offering contactless payment and delivery options. This also shows that these technologies have become a part of the new normal in the market.
Continued Popularity of Remote Working
To prevent the spread of the virus, businesses asked their employees to work from home when the pandemic started. While remote work arrangements are not new, they gained wide acceptance during the health crisis.
And over a year after the pandemic, many companies have asked their employees to work in the office again. But some companies implemented hybrid work arrangements that gave employees the option of working from home for several days each week. Other companies opted to implement permanent remote working arrangements for their employees. This shows that remote working arrangements will continue to be popular even after everything goes back to normal.
The availability of online tools also facilitates collaboration among employees even if they work in different locations. These tools include videoconferencing software, instant messaging applications, and project management tools. Additionally, file-sharing tools allow team members to share and edit documents and spreadsheets online.
Increased Demand for Artificial Intelligence
The market saw increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) after the pandemic started. Combining AI with data analytics allowed businesses to deliver new products and services in the market. Companies also used the technology to make up for a shortage of skilled workers in the market.
AI integration into business processes also improves productivity since the technology helps employees perform their jobs better. For example, in customer service or sales inquiries, using AI chatbot software provides faster service, especially when providing basic information about products and services to customers.
The software also answers simple customer questions. In this situation, the business builds rapport with their customers and encourage lasting relationships in the market. And with the continuing labor shortage, AI will play a significant role for companies in the future.
Usage of Virtual and Augmented Reality Technologies
Aside from AI, industry watchers expect an increasing use of virtual and augmented reality technologies. Many industries began using these technologies after the pandemic started. Real estate companies started offering virtual tours of homes for their clients. This allowed clients to view homes they were interested in without visiting the site.
These technologies are also used in education since they facilitate an immersive experience for the students. Additionally, retailers are using the technologies to allow customers to check products even without visiting the store’s physical location.
The use of VR and AR will continue to expand as more industries integrate the technologies into their processes. The recent rebranding of Facebook also points to the increasing use of the technologies by the company. With this, industry watchers expect more companies to integrate VR and AR into their systems to stay ahead of their competition.
Continued Popularity of Telehealth Services
At the height of the pandemic, many clinics and health facilities saw revenues go down after patients opted to postpone or cancel consultations with their doctors to avoid the virus. The health crisis also saw an increase in telehealth services since the technology allowed patients to consult their doctors from the comfort of their homes.
Even as cases have gone down, telehealth services will continue to be popular since it facilitates doctor consultations for patients living in remote areas. Research shows that telehealth consultations will go beyond the one-billion mark by the end of the year. The convenience offered by telehealth services will result in more people using them. The service will also continue to be popular even after the pandemic ends.
Technological innovations have made life during the pandemic easier. And industry watchers expect the use of these innovations to continue even after everything goes back to normal.
