The great divide is here again. This comes in the form of COVID-19 pandemic. We are divided between vaccinated vs unvaccinated. Traveling becomes a hassle unless you are in VTL (Vaccinated Travel Lane). We also have frontliners jobs which bear the risk from pandemic. How will this great divide impact IT?
Differentiated IT
IT model closely to the reality. This is usually translated to data model. There is already emerging data to understand and mitigate the impact of the pandemic to economic data. This comes in the form of prolonged lockdown and the need to normalise with the pandemic. Thus, our existing data model will start to include differentiating factors with regards to the pandemic variables.
Resource Retention
IT resource retention becomes challenging because work boundaries are fluid. Hybrid model will allows ease of acquiring skills across boundaries. Off site becomes easier because of the pandemic. Collaboration tools becomes sophisticated enough to manage off short resources. Subsequently, this allows IT resources to move around with ease.
The great divide from COVID-19 pandemic created opportunities and challenges for IT. There are distinct differences for industries impacted by COVID-19. Data must be readily be available to help normalise living with the pandemic. On the other hand, it is a challenge to retain IT resource due to demand and ease of hybrid working model. Regardless of the impact, the pandemic has accelerated IT opportunities beyond the physical world.
Danny Kwok 