Coronovirus pandemic will rewrite tech investment rulebook

The Coronovirus outbreak and the worldwide reaction to the pandemic will force companies to radically rethink how they operate and embrace technological investment, according to ABI Research.

“To effect change, there must be a stimulation of a magnitude that means companies cannot do anything but make bold decisions to survive. COVID-19 is that magnitude,” says Stuart Carlaw, Chief Research Officer at ABI Research.

Bold decisions and investments could lead to increased usage of autonomous materials handling and goods vehicles, a more integrated, diverse, and coordinated supply chain, and the growth of smart cities to support community resilience.

“Before we feel this potential long-term impact, there will be some serious short-term implications. Contractions in consumer spending, disruptions to supply chains, and reduced availability of components will create a rough sea for all boats,” Carlaw says.

“In the short-term, there will be a retrenchment in outlooks a reduced investment in modernisation, as survival instincts trump the drive to prosperity.”

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