What’s the Future of Technology in a Post-Pandemic World?

“May you live in interesting times”. We have all heard this saying before that often gives us mixed messages. Are these interesting times going to bring positive change, or negatively impact how we go about our daily lives?

While there’s no crystal ball, it is safe to assume that the world is going to look a little different once we are on the other side of this pandemic. Fortunately, we live in a time where technology and access to information has become essential to both business and our personal lives. One early prediction is that this connection and reliance on technology will be key to moving us into the “future”.

Let’s take a look at some common questions our team is hearing as we navigate through this ever-changing world:

Will consumers shift their buying strategy and how will it impact our industry?

We expect to see a decline in “disposable” tech and a major upswing in built-to-last products. Business models will place greater emphasis on the availability of parts and higher quality products.

We predict tighter forecasting and bulk order purchases as engineers plan their networks in advance. Purchases will be viewed as investments that not only fill today’s needs, but are reliable well into the future. There may be a greater emphasis placed on components that ofter futureproofing and flexibility down the road, such as BiDis, Tunables, and Coherent transceivers. The demand for stronger warranties and “Lifetime Guarantees” may increase, similar to the reassurance Integra offers its customers on all transceivers. The resonance from delays we are seeing from suppliers proves that consumers will begin to shift their buying strategy towards one that is built to last.

Will people rely more heavily on technology?

We are the cloud! There’s definitely an advantage to the social bond formed by sharing space. It’s crucial in social circles, education, and company culture. To use an example of Cloud Computing, there is also a benefit of distributed resources with a workforce that functions in the physical office as well as a virtual one. A hybrid model may cut down on the way colds spread through an office, reduce the difficulty in scheduling facility maintenance, and contribute an added agility to the work force that makes up a company.

This new model will require telecommunications growth and support after the crisis of the pandemic has eased and will also see technology integrating into our homes with more reliable home internet connections, as well as the tech base to support home offices. The companies that are surviving through the pandemic’s peak are set to thrive after it’s crested.

How does inventory come into play for companies?

We have a global economy, with customers and suppliers spread over geographically diverse areas. To support these diverse needs and reduce the vulnerabilities that come with it, choosing to partner with companies that carry local inventory can be extremely beneficial. When talking transceivers specifically, there’s an even smarter inventory strategy. Typically, you’d be advised to carry at least one spare per transceiver type and per platform, which can quickly add up. Investing in recodable optics and a device like Integra’s Smart Coder can significantly reduce the number of necessary spares. Choosing a supplier with domestic inventory and added flexibility solutions frees up capital and adds peace of mind when you need it most.

The future is going to be augmented reality. Not necessarily with video glasses that superimpose media on our view, but with our online selves making connections more than ever before. The technology industry is going to become a vital component as we make our way through this pandemic. Integra is working hard to ensure that we continue to support that change, through added inventory and engineering support to help you plan your networks of the future.

If you would like to talk more about your optics needs, schedule a time with one of our optics experts!