Digital reboot: Act and disrupt!
The convergence between voice and data was one of the most notable characteristics during the last five years. Providers had to manage data packets instead of voice channels, while their co-existence with IT providers became a must, not only because they had to co-offer services to the end-users, but also it was necessary for their own operational needs.
If we add to the equation the corporate mergers and acquisitions factor between companies that focus on fixed and mobile telephony and even on content or television, there is no doubt that we have reached –as a result- the era of Unified Data Networks.
Leaving behind a “lost year”, the market tries to find its step through the radical restructure of its technological, investing, operational and strategic orientation.
1st Session: Re-engineering infrastructure – Need for Speed!
The access to high-speed networks, both fixed and wireless, remains a major issue for the operation of the ecosystem. Greece still lacks in fixed access infrastructure development, as well as in the adoption of New Generation Networks. The average connection speed is quite low, at 4,2 Mbps, and has still a long way to go in order to reach the EU average and even more to reach the developed countries’ level.
There is no doubt that broadband development has to pass through co-operative models as well as the adoption of the latest technological results and interoperability that will allow even better exploitation of the infrastructures.
Moreover, the demand for access and capacity is predicted to skyrocket in the near future, as the adoption of solutions in the fields of EMM, Machine 2 Machine and Internet of Things, along with the increased use of demanding applications like video, will start to surpass the capabilities of the networks.
In order to cope with the “data explosion” the providers have no other solution than the amelioration of their networks dynamics, via increased capacity and more dense coverage, applying techniques that will offer to them better flexibility in traffic distribution.
New technologies like Software Defined Networks and Network Function Virtualization oblige CTOs all over the world to include special provisions for «Telco Clouds» in their budgets. At the same time, there is a call in arms for small, micro and pico cells to increase the coverage density and the supply of the system with the all so necessary data.
The demands for re–engineering are more than pressing and in this session we will try to show case best practices and priorities leading to the best possible implementation.
2nd Session: Big Data Sapiens – The new currency!
Simple forwarding of data packets cannot produce value infinitely. On the contrary, forever advancement in speed and compression technology constantly shrinks profit margins.
The combination of technology + economy should, therefore, turn to the enlargement of the basis and the volume of data involved, as well as the production of value that comes from a circle of extraction, analysis and production of knowledge.
The possibilities of elaboration, filtering and production of exploitable elements from this immense and constantly supplied “silo”, lead to new entrepreneurial opportunities, where the beneficiaries are not solely the enterprises.
The use of mass data may well change the outline and provision of a whole series of public services in the fileds –among others- of transportation, logistics, e-government, health, insurance etc. to the benefit of citizens, as it helps them achieve better life quality standards.
However, the real “explosion” of data production, which will have a strong personal and detailed character as well, will be ignited by the global adoption of Internet of Things (ΙοΤ).
In the near future the Analytics-as-a-Service factor will be of capital importance to all of us and will stand out as a quite profitable activity.
In an IoT ecosystem we will be able to locate almost everything, in the framework of a new market that begins with the supply of raw data and ends with specific results, which offer answers to real questions. Those answers may be used to shape the strategy of enterprises, industries, the public sector and services, of our daily needs and the formation of our environment.
It is more than certain, that all the preconditions exist for data to rapidly become the “money” of the new digital economy.
3rd Session: Everything as a Service – Closing the Digital gap!
Nobody can deny that data traffic remains the common denominator of all technologies and media, while cloud infrastructure –along with the relevant services- still remain the basic point of reference. According to estimates, more than 2,5 Petabytes of data are created every day globally, while IDC says that the total of digital data doubles every two years and in 2020 there will be more than 44 zettabytes stored and accessible.
The reality in Greece, however, is somewhat different… In spite of the positive perspectives, the adoption rate of digital services by the SMEs –which are the vast majority of all Greek enterprises- remains at less than 5%, a percentage that colourfully shows the digital divide among different enterprises. However, at the same time, it underlines the great opportunities the market offers.
Perhaps, the biggest turnaround will occur only when we fully understand and accept that the use of cloud services is not limited to the management of data in a remote place, but also includes access to advanced services that, otherwise, would not be available to middle-range enterprises. It could simply be lack of information, that most people have not understood the many benefits (production increase, enterprise mobility, teleworking, etc) as well as the immense variety of «Everything-as-a-Service» offers, which also comes at a quite affordable cost.
Finally, technology is a main factor for the implementation of all the reforms and changes urgently required by government organizations and agencies to run smoothly, in the future.
In this specific session, we will talk about the wide spectrum of services and solutions offered to enterprises and public sector, alike.
4th Session: Leader Summit – Time for reboot!
The recent tectonic vibrations affecting the foundations of all basic and traditional constants, which were regarded as the minimum support of the economic system in this country for decades, have caused serious trust problems, in every sector and activity.
The continuous and overlapping changes have catapulted the country risk to unprecedented levels putting in great doubt not only the long-term strategy of every organization in the field of Information & Communication Technologies, but even the short-term one. Therefore, management teams have to prepare many alternate scenaria in order to be able to confront the most (and less…) probable events.
While telcos are fighting for the great come-back to normality and stability, they also pursue another goal – their repositioning into the enterprise ecosystem with the implementation of all necessary changes and modifications that also contribute to the much needed reforms for the restart of the national economy.
The leaders of Greek telcos will talk and analyze their problems, their challenges, their dilemmas, but also their expectations on which they will structure their strategies for the future and they will describe their next steps and the changes these will bring.
Parallel Activities
Alongside the 17th InfoCom World, an Exhibition of Digital Technology will take place at the same location, as well as many other activities (workshops, round tables etc.), aiming to better inform the attendees and help them network either between themselves or with the companies taking part in the Congress.
New tools, new approaches, new methods and technologies will be available for all, acting as lead generators!
InfoCom Αcademy
In parallel with InfoCom World Congress, all those attending will have the opportunity to take part in many high-level training workshops led by well-known instructors, which will help them enrich their knowledge on the latest trends in Telecommunications, Informatics, Data Security, Strategy, Social Media, Crisis management, Marketing, Content Management etc.
Finally, there will be many special Corporate Events, where Greek and foreign specialist will present and analyse the most modern trends and technologies, as well as their possible application in our market.