What's next for tech: A technology industry outlook

Supply chain

New tech may not be the answer for all.

Automation technology is affecting supply chains in interesting and valuable ways. One recent application is the “industrial metaverse,” which takes metaverse and Web3 technologies and uses them to virtually map out a supply chain end to end. In this way, it can project the timing, flow, and bottlenecks of supply chains.

Cutting-edge technology isn’t always the answer to supply chain problems, however. Using existing platforms or performing relatively simple integrations to improve how you plan, predict, and communicate can be the better way to go both strategically and financially. This approach requires a pragmatic view and a focus on how tech can impact the proficiency of the people and processes that run your supply chain.

For many organizations, there won’t be a single silver-bullet tech solution to all their problems. Often, the fixes needed are related to governance, data management, or business intelligence – like whether they have the correct ordering parameters to right-size inventory, for instance, or if they’re focused too much or too little on certain SKUs. These kinds of enhancements can be driven by activities like checking in with customers more often or anticipating certain seasonal trends further in advance.

Focusing on issues like these can ultimately provide heightened visibility overall and more of a real-time window into what’s happening. Using technology thoughtfully will help you optimize movement of inventory, enhance your supply chain efficiency, and respond more quickly and proactively when unforeseen developments emerge, such as port closures or political upheaval.

ESG

Gear up for new rules and regulations.

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues aren’t “new” for the technology industry in the same way they are for, say, the financial services sector. In many important ways, tech has been an ESG standard bearer for several years. That said, the regulatory picture might be evolving, and tech companies are finding they have ESG information gaps, especially if they rely on third-party data sources.

The biggest near-term ESG questions for tech companies will be:

• When will the Securities and Exchange Commission release its final rule on climate-related disclosures, such as greenhouse gas emissions?
• What specific requirements will that rule lay out – and how quickly can companies respond?

The final rule is expected to roll out some time this year, but many investors are already requiring that publicly registered companies reveal how they consider climate risks and the potential environmental effects of the goods and services they provide. So even in the absence of a final rule, tech companies – particularly publicly traded ones – shouldn’t remain flat on climate disclosures in the meantime.

More broadly, how ESG aligns to their mission and values will continue to be important for tech companies. And as new regulatory requirements emerge, investors and venture capital will drive a more rigorous approach to ESG issues. Over the long term, the biggest ESG challenges for tech companies will be prioritizing what needs to be done now versus later and building up the capabilities needed to address evolving ESG standards.

Despite shifts in the economy and regulatory environment, innovation continues to hum along. Advanced technologies that continue to revolutionize most other industries also can enhance many areas of tech businesses’ operations and provide a clearer view into the challenges and opportunities ahead – no matter what’s happening in the market.