Identify where automation can unlock immediate value
Apply 4IR tools to take on repetitive, onerous physical tasks, while reducing incidents of human error and operational disruptions or downtime. Just as important, fortify data management—collecting, securing, analyzing and consolidating data across the enterprise—to help advance and amplify your automation initiatives. Combining these strategies will allow your people to focus on high-value tasks and make more timely and informed decisions in response to volatility.
Scale up quick automation wins
With 4IR technologies, quick automation wins can be scaled at manageable costs. For example, enterprise voice assistants or augmented reality can quickly deliver needed information and help employees work faster and smarter. Scaling up even small wins now can lead to successful solutions on a larger scale later. This helps drive agility in smaller pockets, changing how people work and laying a foundation for larger-scale automation down the road.
Invest in automation tech that will be the bedrock for growth
Don't delay capital expenditures that will fuel new products, services, and business models for the long term. For example, a bank may have to invest in new cloud infrastructure during a slowdown to scale up AI applications. Manufactures may need to be more focused on ensuring secure data collection and transmission by IoT-connected operational assets, along the supply chain and even in connected products.