With many organisations worldwide unprepared for the rapidly evolving Internet of Things (IoT) era, Cisco has unpacked plans to bolster the ability of companies in South Africa to embrace the new digital reality.
Cisco’s new country digital acceleration (CDA) strategy aimed to help change South Africa’s approach to digitisation and impart the critical steps required to become fully digital.
“As new industries emerge, spurred by smart investments in technology, the development of skills and talent will be critical for the economic success of the continent,” said Cisco South Africa GM Cathy Smith.
Cisco believed every business discussion should incorporate IoT, as digitisation was expected to drive operational efficiency, increase employee productivity, garner greater customer loyalty and create new revenue streams.
Those that did not have digital business transformation agendas would be left behind, Smith warned.
However, only 25% of business leaders worldwide took a proactive approach to digitisation, with digital disruption not seen as “worthy” of board-level attention in about 45% of companies.
Cisco noted that nearly a third were taking a “wait-and-see” approach to emulate successful competitors.
The CDA would build on partnerships with national leadership, industry and academia, underpinned by research and education, entrepreneurship and innovation, infrastructure and economic clusters.