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Local SMEs Show Tech Trends Will Make or Break Businesses in 2016

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There is nothing or little small about small businesses anymore. Cloud and collaboration tools have made it possible for many businesses to compete against large enterprises.

In fact, a recent study by BetterCloudMonitor shows that small businesses are adopting the cloud more quickly than larger enterprises, which means they will adapt faster and enable employees to work anywhere at any time at a fraction of the cost.

Last year, small businesses gained traction in both the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data. They also gathered momentum in mobile technology, made advancements in business intelligence, and made forays into mobile payments.

So what about this year? What new changes does technology have in store for small businesses?

Prediction 1: More Young Workers Will Do Their Jobs Virtually/Remotely

The BYOD trend will continue to thrive in 2016. This year it is expected that more young adults will enter the workforce via virtual jobs than through traditional posts in employer-owned workplaces.

To meet the needs and expectations of this younger workforce, SMBs will need to be increasingly flexible. Businesses that enable remote working, through both the policies they draft and the tools they provide, will be more attractive to the next generation.

Of course, there will still be offices and in-person meetings in 2016. In fact, a recent survey commissioned by Microsoft revealed that millennials find good team collaboration most valuable in their ideal workplace.

This underscores the need for advanced and secure technology. With tools like Office 365, small business owners can arm their employees with the technology needed for real-time collaboration — both in the office and away from it.

Office 365 also provides automatic monthly security updates, so small business owners can ensure they’re protecting their data and safely, enabling their remote workforce without even having to think about it.

Prediction 2: The Rate of Cloud Uptake Will Increase
Businesses will adopt the cloud without any legacy IT infrastructure. For example, Botswana Oil had major success by moving straight to the cloud, allowing them to overcome challenges such as limited resources, a widely-distributed personnel base, and pressure to start operating quickly.

“Cloud computing was my answer. The fact that we didn’t have to acquire much infrastructure to be able to deploy quickly was very significant. The cloud also provides a much less expensive way of managing ICT services.” Said Galeboe Mmelesi, ICT manager, Botswana Oil Limited.

Prediction 3: More Small Businesses Will Manage Their Operations Anytime, Anywhere From Mobile Devices

This year, mobility won’t be limited to the workforce. The very operations of small businesses will be increasingly mobile.

New apps, cloud storage and more powerful devices will allow business owners to run more and more of their business processes from anywhere.

This dramatically shifts the old paradigm of running a business, where you constantly feel stretched in multiple directions.

This year, more business owners will be able to perform all their tasks on digital devices. Whether it is joining a conference call through Skype, or using OneNote to co-author and -edit documents at the same time with other collaborators.

Finding Success
The technology available this year will allow small businesses to more effectively compete with larger competitors.

While it is clear that small business owners have to wear several hats, and weighing all the different possible technology investments can fall to the bottom of their priority lists, this is one decision that should not be postponed.

Often, it is small shifts, like adopting the right technology at the right time that can make all the difference.

 


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

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Glo Urges Workers to Reflect on Furthering National Growth on May Day

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Telecommunications services provider, Globacom, has admonished Nigerian workers to reflect on more ways of contributing further to the growth of the country.

In a solidarity message on the occasion of the 2024 International Workers’ Day, the company noted that Nigerian workers were resilient in spite of the challenges they encounter in the course of discharging their duties.

The telecommunications giant further noted that the story of Nigeria cannot be adequately chronicled without acknowledging the immense contributions of workers, both in the public and private sectors.

The day is observed on May 1 yearly in recognition of the contributions of workers all over the world and to advance fairer and more sustainable future by advocating for workers’ rights.

“We salute Nigerian workers on this day and commend them for the hard work, commitment, resourcefulness and industry which are essential for the growth of the economy of any nation,” Globacom said.

 


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CWG Board of Directors Approves 400% Increase in Dividend Payout

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CWG Plc has announced a significant milestone in its commitment to delivering value to shareholders. Following a thorough review of the company’s financial performance and outlook, the Board of Directors has approved a substantial increase of 400per cent in dividend payout to shareholders.

This decision reflects CWG’s confidence in its financial stability, growth trajectory, and ability to generate sustainable returns. By enhancing the dividend payout, CWG aims to reward shareholders for their continued trust and support while reaffirming its commitment to creating long-term value.

Mr. Philip Obioha, Chairman of the Board of Directors at CWG Plc, said, “The decision to approve a 400% increase in dividend payout underscores our confidence in CWG’s performance and outlook. We are dedicated to delivering value to our shareholders and believe that this significant dividend increase is a testament to our commitment to shareholder value creation.”

This increase in dividend payout aligns with CWG’s strategic objectives to prioritize shareholder interests and maintain strong financial discipline. The Board remains committed to prudent financial management and sustainable growth, ensuring that CWG continues to be a reliable investment for shareholders.

As CWG continues to execute its growth strategy and expand its presence in the market, the Board anticipates that the increased dividend payout will further strengthen investor confidence and support CWG’s vision for the future.


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Prof. Aliyu, AI Practitioner to Keynote ABoICT 2024

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CommunicationsWeek Media Limited, a certified global ICT company with over two million online subscribers, is delighted and proud to announce Prof. Yakub Aliyu, as the keynote speaker at Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Distinguished Lecture series 2024.

 

Aliyu, will be speaking on the theme: Artificial Intelligence (AI): The Good, The Complex and The Anticipated”, this leans heavily on the fact that AI changing our lives– we just need to know where to look today.

This year’s rebranded Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Distinguished Lecture/Awards Series is slated for Saturday, May 25, 2024 at the Four Points by Sheraton, Lagos.

The event is the most prestigious annual event that brings together captains of industry in both technology and financial worlds.

According to Ken Nwogbo, CEO, Communication Week Media Ltd, organisers of the ABoICT Distinguished Lecture/Awards Series, “the choice of Prof. Yakub Aliyu is deliberate because of his exceptional career in Artificial Intelligence (AI)”.

He added that, AI is considered to have the potential to instigate a fourth industrial revolution,1 and is dramatically changing people’s patterns of interaction and economic activities.

“The traditional factors of production and physical capital and labour may no longer promote substantial economic growth. It is generally believed that AI will be one of the most important factors determining future economic growth,” he said.

A professor of microelectronics and a scholar-practitioner in artificial intelligence and deep machine learning for industrial applications and high-speed application processors. His research interests include Multimodal AI models for high-efficiency industrial robot applications and Human AI interactions.

He also has adjunct academic professorships at five African, USA, and UK universities. Holds a BS in Applied Physics Electronics from Karlsruhe and A Bello Universities in Germany and Nigeria, an MBA in International Business Management from the University of London, an MSEE (Master of Engineering, Electronics), and a Ph.D. in Electronics Engineering from the University of Wales.

Prof. Aliyu is the global quality director for Bourns Inc., Riverside, California, USA, an electronics system, and components manufacturer. I oversee quality functions in 21 factories worldwide.

He has also held quality and operational management leadership positions at National Semiconductors, Bell Labs-Lucent Technology, Texas Instrument, Global Foundries, and Roper Technologies USA.

Authored and coauthored over 30 Advanced Technology United States-issued patents in High-Speed Application Processors and Contributed to over 40 international impact Journals, chapters, and conferences; FASI, SMIEEE USA, MIEE UK, M. Inst pf Physics Chartered Phys and C Eng UK.

Past lecturers included Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, then executive vice chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC); Engr. Yomi Bolarinwa, former Director-General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC); Dr. Jean Luc Fort, CEO at OR System France and a specialist in Counterparty Risk; and Professor Chris Nwagboso, Chairman, Knowledge Factory International, United Kingdom.

Others are: Uche Orji, managing director/chief executive officer, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA); Biodu Omoniyi, Managing Director/CEO, VDT Communications; Ayotunde Coker, Managing Director, Rack Centre Limited; Peter Adedayo Arogundade, managing director and chief executive officer, Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Limited; Dr. Adewale Obadare, chief visionary officer, Digital Encode and John Obaro, CEO and founder of Systemspecs; Prof. Isa Pantanmi, minister of Communications and Digital Economy; Dr. Seyi Akindeind, co-founder, Digital Encode; Dr Krishnan Ranganath, Regional Director, Africa Data Centres.


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