“With global interconnectedness growing by leaps and bounds, the spread of information and ideas means that our moral compasses will expand beyond national borders. It is only a matter of time before we all see beyond the horizon and become citizens of our own country and our planet. The world will be a better place when we come together to strengthen our global village.”
– Mahbubani, Kishore. “The Global Village Has Arrived.”
For many, the idea of leaving home without a cell phone or tablet, or not having access to the internet for an extended period, is unthinkable. In the technological world we live in, the latest electronic gadgets, be it a tablet, smartphone, handheld devices or even a gaming console, are our constant companions.
The reason for this is that in addition to the trend of consumerism we get caught up in, these devices rely on connectivity for users to make full use of them.
When it comes to connectivity, how people and organizations around the world are linked, over the years, the requirements, expectations, and opportunities for new forms of interaction have increased exponentially.
In the history of computing, networks evolved to transmit information around the world efficiently and quickly. People have access to data beyond their own computer, rapidly reducing the distance between people and companies. Everyday life has finally transformed into constant “anytime, anywhere” connectivity, made possible by new mobile, cloud and social networking technologies.
Also read: The importance of having your business information at your fingertips
Just as computers, networked devices and web applications had revolutionized previous digital eras, interconnectedness is the game changer of this era.
Globalization is entering a new phase defined by increasing flows of data and information, in a world where the cloud dominates and business models are interdependent, the demands of connectivity have reached a new level.
Companies now forge an advantage by collaborating in communities with other companies through secure, reliable, and interconnected connections among many participants. To compete and succeed, today’s enterprises need interconnection, a form of connectivity that is instantaneous, direct, massive, and increasingly more flexible, secure, and reliable than its predecessors.
At the user level, the possibilities with interconnection are endless, from fully automated automobiles to smart homes and virtual offices. There are many changes and advances that will affect our lives, from home to leisure to work. Connectivity has the power to reshape our world.
It is worth noting that given the vast amount of data that transits through networks, in today’s connected world, it is important to strike the right balance between data sharing, privacy and security. This is even more delicate in the telecommunications industry where customer and user data can be threatened if not handled with due care and responsibility.
The future will be one where truly connected digital enterprises can connect with customers, suppliers, partners, and stakeholders across multiple channels, using mobile platforms or leveraging the power of social media.
