At Tech Data’s Partner Summit 2018, Meredith Whalen, IDC’s Chief Research Officer delivered a keynote presentation on use cases and why they are valuable tools for effective sales. In our final segment of this three-part series, Meredith discusses the opportunity-rich environment of artificial intelligence (AI); the need for a multi-channel strategy; and, the importance of key performance indicators (KPIs).

During Partner Summit 2018, Tech Data had the opportunity to sit down with Meredith Whalen, IDC’s Chief Research Officer. As one of the show’s keynote speakers, Meredith was there to discuss how use cases offer an effective strategy for companies at the forefront of digital transformation. The opportunity to speak to her personally, one-on-one, was a great opportunity and provided us with some invaluable insights; we wanted to share them with you here on Authority. Below is part two of our conversation.

During Partner Summit 2018, Tech Data had the opportunity to sit down with Meredith Whalen, IDC’s Chief Research Officer. As one of the show’s keynote speakers, Meredith was there to discuss how use cases offer an effective strategy for companies at the forefront of digital transformation. The opportunity to speak to her personally, one-on-one, was a great opportunity and provided us with some invaluable insights; we wanted to share them with you here on Authority.

We hear it, we see it, we know it… digital transformation is here and it is fundamentally changing everything. Regardless of area – manufacturing, recreation, jobs, healthcare, etc., the disruptive footprint of digital transformation is pervasive; no part of life –or lifestyle, will go unaffected.

Recently, I read an article in PC Magazine discussing the advancements in technology currently underway in China. The article, which also references an earlier story on police officers in the city of Zhengzhou using facial recognition glasses, reveals that China has perfected software that identifies individuals by their gait (i.e., how they walk).The system creates a model of the way a person walks as well as their body shape. Even with their face covered, their back turned and sporting a different strut, the system isn't fooled.

Moore’s Law states that technology doubles itself every 18 months. I referenced this in an earlier blog post (Transforming at the Speed of Cloud) and it seems to be playing out in real time, right before our eyes. At no time in my life have I seen this rate of change so abundantly demonstrated, as I do today.

Tech Data held its 2018 Partner Summit, Transformation Awaits, November 5-8 at the Fairmont Princess Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. 

The Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2018, cut corporate tax rates 30 percent or more. Retailers, in particular, were among those most beneficial as businesses like Nordstrom and Dicks Sporting Goods are expected to see their tax rates drop from the high 30s to the low 20s[1].

Now, with the end of the third quarter closing in, most businesses have had time to realize the effects of the Act and incorporate the added revenue into the coming year’s budget planning process.

What does digital transformation mean to you? The answer to this question will likely vary dramatically depending on who you ask. We posed this question to a number of our EMEA employees in a blog series called, "What Digital Transformation Means to Me." It explores these responses and gives insight into the evolving digital landscape. We hope you enjoy these different perspectives on digital transformation.