have limited infrastructure and communications to the outside world at an incredible pace . This growth in connectivity is providing dramatically improved access to information and resources for those who did not have them before .
Connectivity is enabling the betterment of people ’ s lives . Through hyper connectivity comes the need for countries , Government , corporations , enterprises , and communities to digitally transform and accelerate access to new information and accelerate and produce the best outcomes for their businesses . Entities need to digitally transform as individuals are expecting better and easier lives . Better business is demanded from enterprises through the connection of ecosystems . This results in a better society for all where divisions are now bridged and everyone benefits from the interconnected ecosystem that is more relevant to our lives .
Thanks to the prevalence of improved semiconductors , graphene-carbon nanotube capacitors , cell-free networks of service antenna and 5G technology , wireless communications will dominate everything , everywhere .
So what is this digital enterprise we all discuss and hear so much about ? The biggest difference between the enterprises in the past and digital enterprise now and in the future in all industries is the need to meet the new demands of the new customer – wanting it all , wanting it now , and wanting it everywhere . To become a digital enterprise , a company needs to build ubiquitous connections spanning its people and things , and at the same time , link its employees , customers , partners , and suppliers together . Just having accelerated access to information is not enough . A company ’ s operations should be based on big data and artificial intelligence ( AI ), to add a more tailored context , purpose , and value for customers . On top of that , companies need to automate business processes with built-in , realtime decision-making so as to realize simple , efficient , and intelligent operations .
A key goal of this digital transformation is to provide a ROADS experience — Real-time , On-demand , All-online , DIY , and Social — for customers , partners , and employees . A ROADS experience is the most difficult part of the journey , but it ’ s a must as both enterprise customers and consumers will be expecting a ROADS experience when they buy or use products and services from providers .
Velocity , scope and impact
As we look back at history , previous industrial revolutions were defined by certain characteristics .
The first industrial revolution used water and steam power to mechanize production . The second industrial revolution used electric power to create mass production . The third industrial revolution used electronics and IT advancements in computing and networking , with artificial intelligence to automate production . Globally , the planet is not only now entering and rapidly advancing through the third industrial revolution , but we are moving beyond this and starting to experience both a confluence and convergence of emerging technologies , as we enter the Fourth Industrial Revolution . This fourth industrial revolution is now building on the third – the digital revolution that has been occurring since the middle of the last century . It ’ s characterized by a confluence , convergence , and fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical , digital , and biological spheres .
There are three reasons why today ’ s transformations do not merely represent an extension of the third industrial revolution , but the arrival of a distinct one : velocity , scope ( breadth and depth ), and systems impact . Velocity : This revolution is evolving at an exponential rather than a linear pace . Scope - Breath and depth : It leads to unprecedented paradigm shifts in economy , business , society and individually . It ’ s changing the “ what ” and the “ how ” of doing things , and also “ who ” we are . System impact : It involves the transformation of entire systems across ( and within ) countries , companies and society as a whole . The speed of current breakthroughs has no historical precedent . When compared with the previous industrial revolutions , the fourth is evolving at an exponential , rather than a linear pace . Moreover , it is disrupting almost every industry in every country . And the breadth and depth of these changes herald the transformation
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