Smart Infrastructure to Grow Digital Transformation

Smart Infrastructure is defined as a smart system that uses a data feedback loop to improve decision-making regarding a matter. This means a system that can monitor, measure, analyze, communicate, and act based on data collected by sensors.

At the dx100 Symposium and Awards, Smart Infrastructure was one of the key topics of discussions that attracted various players in the manufacturing sector. In an ideate session organized by Huawei Technologies, and moderated by Huawei’s Kenneth Matiba, people expressed their different understanding of what Smart Infrastructure really is.

A member of the panel, KCB’s Data Privacy Manager, Gideon Kirui, believes that infrastructure is the backbone of technology and the development of tech enablers.

“In the world we are living in today, there are so many innovations for instance Artificial Intelligence, IOT, Machine Learning. All these innovations wouldn’t have been possible without the infrastructure. However, when we are smart in building infrastructure, it makes the whole innovating process easier,” Gideon noted.

On his part, Huawei’s Senior Solutions Manager, Paul Oyuko, describes smart infrastructure as one that self heals. He compares how infrastructure was developed before digital transformation and now. Today, it is crucial to have infrastructure that predicts probable problems and heals itself.

Oyuko said, “In the manufacturing sector, we need to predict more than react.”

Speaking in the same panel, Absa Bank’s Irene Waliaula, added on Paul’s point emphasizing that it is important for infrastructure to be able to predict to be considered a Smart Infrastructure.

Communication Gap

The panel further discussed the key areas needed to be addressed to further grow smart infrastructure is bringing the Executive Committee on board. In many manufacturing companies, there is a communication gap between those coming up with innovative ideas, and those making the decisions to use the innovation or not. Basically, the ExCo and the IT department.

“We need to have a way of selling the solutions to the executive committee. We need to explain it in their language, show the value that they will get from the solution you are proposing to them,” said Irene Waliaula.

“As an organization, there is a strategy in doing things. Some issues can be solved within the IT department before going forward. It is important to also look at what you can do within the department to make your case easier for the exco to understand what you are offering,” Kenneth Matiba, who was moderating the session, added.

Smart infrastructure is a big part of technology hence playing a big role in the growth of digital transformation globally.