The use of specific software in your consultancy or agency can bring benefits on several levels.
First of all, the most obvious and evident one, which is the own and internal benefit of the business structure. If we use tools that can streamline daily procedures, we can work more efficiently and comfortably.
In this way, we can increase productivity, reduce costs and keep the staff happier by reducing their workload.
Imports in the sector are still rising, as in 2020 companies from Central American countries imported $541 million in laptops and similar devices, 25% more than what was registered in 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
Defining a technological agenda that includes the development of online sales channels, digital marketing and improvement of processes and operations is essential for companies to meet the challenges they must overcome to compete in the new commercial reality.
Technology specialists agree that companies should focus on reinventing the role of technology in business.
The Productive Projects Agency of Honduras is tendering for the supply of 2,708 tablets, with a 10-inch screen or larger, and with Quad Core 1.6GHz processor or higher.
Honduras Government Purchase AEPAS-H-4449-LPI-005-2021:
"Some technical specifications:
-Operating System: OEM O.S. that does not require annual or subscription licensing.
-Display: 10 inches or higher Minimum resolution: 1920 x 1200 (WXGA), TFT technology (main screen).
Because companies dedicated to the provision of services are more effective than product manufacturers and their growth is more accelerated, economies such as those of Central America could bet on the outsourcing of technology services.
In this context of sanitary and economic crisis, generated by the covid-19 outbreak, several economic sectors were affected due to the restrictions imposed, but, in contrast, companies involved in the provision of technological services reported a significant growth.
Between July and October 2020, the number of people in Costa Rica exploring options to access an ERP-type software online increased 32%, and the number of Panamanian consumers looking to hire a CRM solution decreased 4%.
CentralAmericaData's interactive platform, Consumer Insights, monitors in real time changes in consumer habits in all markets in the region and in other Latin American countries, with fundamental information to understand their behavior, new trends and anticipate eventual changes in their purchasing patterns.
Coordinating work teams that work remotely, having updated information systems and incorporating the use of cloud applications to generate reports in an agile way, are some of the needs of companies in the new business scenario.
The return to on-site work is a reality that seems to be far away for some companies, which, faced with the imposition of restrictions on mobility, had to readjust their operations and migrate to digital formats.
About 9 million people in the region are looking to purchase IT solutions, and of this group of consumers, about 8% explore options to buy antivirus or security software.
CentralAmericaData's interactive information system monitors in real time the changes in consumer habits in all markets of the region, with fundamental information to understand the current commercial environment in which companies of all industries must operate.
In recent weeks, interest in the region's markets for electronic equipment, computers and technological services has clearly picked up, with educational software and computer security services being among the most marked trends.
Using a system that monitors in real time changes in consumer interests and preferences in Central American countries, developed by CentralAmericaData's Trade Intelligence Unit, it is possible to project short and long term demand trends for the different products, sectors and markets operating in the region.
Having general ideas of how a computer can look at an image and identify a stop sign, a pedestrian or a car, is fundamental for business leaders to be able to empower humans with the help of artificial intelligence.
The development of artificial intelligence tools suggests that human work will be abolished, something that could be far away, since these technological applications are for now used for the execution of specific business tasks and not for problem solving.
Applying artificial intelligence tools and complementing it with increasing the technological capabilities of employees is essential to significantly improve the performance of companies.
According to reports by Harvard Business Review, companies have been found to achieve the most significant performance improvements when humans and machines work together.
In a context in which the creation of digital records is increasing, investment in data analysis, technology and personnel becomes fundamental and essential to ensure the best possible performance in companies.
Advanced Analytics (AA), which can be executed from data from digital platforms, wireless sensors and millions of mobile phones, is transforming competition across multiple sectors by generating opportunities to capture value from improved decision making and comprehensive business transformation.
It is predicted that "great growth opportunities for retailers and consumer brands, if they know how to exploit the information to meet the needs of current buyers.
From Procomer's article "Trends in e-commerce of mass consumption":
According to the report "E-Commerce in mass consumption", prepared by the consulting firm IRI, "the mass consumer market is ready for an online disruption", as new alliances are formed, and new distribution opportunities emerge. Antonio Khalaf, commercial director of IRI, says he is looking for " great growth opportunities for retailers and consumer brands, if they know how to exploit information to meet the needs of current buyers, who are younger, who expect an online experience, a good price, product choice and availability."
The mergers and acquisitions being reported in Central America are largely because not all companies in the region are willing to make the heavy investments that the transition to 5G technology will require.
The most recent register of the sale of assets of one of the Central American competitors is the case of Telefónica, which on January 24 reported that for $648 million it sold to América Móvil all the shares of Telefónica Guatemala and 99.3% of Telefónica El Salvador.
The very low-cost system that allows people to tele transport from one place to another will have to pay an additional fee to subsidize the old motorized transport system called taxi.
EDITORIAL
Jorge Cobas Gonzalez
Founder of CentralAmericaData
(A glimpse into the future...)
In this year 2119, the digital application Teletrans, already widely spread all over the world, is installed on the cell phone and allows the person holding it in the hand to indicate on the map the place to go, transporting it almost instantaneously to that destination. The cost of the trip is one cent of a dollar per kilometer, paid through the global system of digital money.