Industry executives and experts share their predictions for 2024. Read them in this 16th annual VMblog.com series exclusive.
AI, Cloud, and the Evolution of the Communications Industry
From the generative AI
awakening to cloud modernization journeys, the tech world is poised to
accelerate and evolve at an intense pace in 2024.
As we look ahead, leaders at Amdocs shared predictions of what to expect.
AI will drive the shift to
modernizing the cloud
There's no denying that most communications
service providers (CSPs) are well into or planning their cloud migration
journey - meaning the easy part is behind them.
This upcoming year, CSPs will
need to focus on moving mission-critical core systems to the cloud to level up
offerings that will support new demands. Steve Ellis, General Manager, of
Amdocs Cloud Division, foresees that CSPs will face the most challenging cloud
obstacle of all - modernization.
"Digital experiences enabled
by emerging technologies including generative AI, mixed-reality (MR), and 5G
are causing expectations to evolve and CSPs need to remain innovative amid this
shift. Placing investments toward building a path to take core systems to the
cloud, will equip CSPs to reap the full benefits of the cloud instead of just
dipping in their toes. Cloud modernization will also unlock the potential for
enhanced AI-driven solutions, allowing CSPs to create new services and further
support the rise in digital expectations."
The AI Awakening: From
Hype to Real-World Impact
As productivity, ROI and
cost-saving imperatives drive businesses to new heights of efficiency, Niall
Norton, General Manager of Amdocs Networks, foresees AI experiencing a resounding
resurgence.
"The cacophony of hype is slowly giving
way to substantive reality as players across the board seek tangible ways to
extract cost savings," said Norton. "The dawn of AI-powered solutions that
redefine business operations is on the horizon, promising real-world impacts
that go beyond mere buzzwords. Gen-AI offers a promise of making business ‘intent'
decisions a technology reality in previously unimagined ways. And it's emerging
very, very quickly. In 2024, the tech world stands on the
precipice of transformation, ready to embrace the winds of change. These
predictions aren't just wisps of speculation; they represent the
crystallization of an era defined by unrelenting innovation and progress. Stay
vigilant, for the future unfolds before our eyes, and each day brings us closer
to a world where technology reshapes reality."
Norton
believes change will likely occur in customer engagement roles - better service
levels, increased convenience, and more flexibility. But equally, improvements
in productivity in back-office functions, spanning procurement, network
operations and software lifecycle management are more quietly evolving.
The
Unstoppable Ascent of Enterprise Data Analytics
Ana Redondo, Product Strategy
Lead, Amdocs Networks has some predictions surrounding satellite technology and
network connectivity, suggesting that the chatter around 5G, enhanced Wi-Fi,
killer apps, and complex integrations will dominate the discourse.
"The turbulence of teething
issues is finally subsiding, and the industry is metamorphosing. Enterprises
are shifting their focus from the question of ‘Why do I want this?' to the more
profound ‘How do I leverage this?' This shift in mindset is a harbinger of a
forthcoming data revolution. The reservoirs of data, flowing from legacy and
next-gen operational technology systems, combined with the troves from the Edge
and Network, promise a mother lode of insights. When mined skillfully, this
data becomes the golden key to elevate enterprise competitiveness to
unprecedented heights."
Network-Driven Transformation Becomes
Increasingly Necessary
Redondo
also mentions, "Beyond the data realm, another dimension of transformation
awaits through operational technology systems leveraging the full spectrum of
network capabilities via network exposure. Although it's a ground-up journey
with initial challenges such as ROI and integrations, the lessons from NaaS,
private networks, and Edge/Cloud developments will serve as accelerants. The
path to maturity is poised to accelerate, reshaping industries and redefining
possibilities."
The Resolution of the Cloud-Edge
Conundrum
For
Redondo, predictions surrounding the domicile of enterprise data have been a
rollercoaster ride, oscillating between the Edge and the Cloud. "The Edge
initially gained the upper hand due to latency and security concerns, but the
Cloud reasserted itself as latency improved. Cloud costs surged, and
hyperscalers harnessed the Edge's potential, causing predictions to swing back
towards the Edge. We firmly believe that the Cloud-Edge battle is about to find
resolution, akin to the Mobile Core Control/Data plane separation. The Cloud,
as the Control Plane, will host a multitude of applications and bulk data,
while the Edge transforms into the Data Plane, catering to data primed for AI
and Analytics. As this equilibrium settles, hyperscalers will extend Edge
capabilities that currently reside in the Cloud. The tantalizing question
remains: which Edge will reign supreme?"
As we
close out 2023, it will come to no surprise that these areas are expected to
expand and grow; but along the way, it will be crucial to keep up with such a
competitive landscape to help meet the demands of consumer and industry
satisfaction.
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