The world is witnessing a massive shift toward digitalization, which has brought about significant disruptions in many industries. While these advancements have created new jobs and opportunities, they have rendered some jobs obsolete. Digitalisation has impacted various sectors, from manufacturing and retail to healthcare and finance.

The Importance of Internet Access in Rural Areas

Despite progress in the digital world, many rural communities are still left behind due to the lack of Internet access. The digital divide between urban and rural areas has widened, exacerbating economic inequality. The inability to access the benefits and opportunities of technological advancements has left many rural communities disadvantaged, making it difficult for them to compete with urban areas.

One significant challenge faced by rural communities is the agriculture sector. Traditional agriculture is left behind without digital technology in a world where crop yields can be optimized using IoT devices. While the lack of internet access in rural areas presents significant obstacles to adopting digital methods, the increasing availability of Internet coverage makes it more possible.

Digitalisation’s Impact on Industries

Digitalisation has brought about significant changes in various industries. A critical impact of this trend is the rise of automation, which has increased efficiency and productivity in many sectors. However, it has also led to job losses, as automation reduces the need for manual labor.

The retail industry has been significantly impacted by digitalization. With the rise of e-commerce, many brick-and-mortar stores have closed down, resulting in job losses. However, the growth of e-commerce has also created new opportunities for jobs in areas such as software development and digital marketing. These new jobs require different skill sets, such as programming and data analysis, and offer opportunities for people to learn and develop new skills.

The Internet’s Impact on Rural Communities

The lack of internet access in rural areas has left many businesses and individuals unable to access the benefits of digitalization, such as e-commerce and telemedicine. Rural communities struggle to keep up with urban areas, and the digital divide between these regions is widening. However, the increasing availability of Internet coverage creates new opportunities for businesses in rural areas to embrace digitalization and access new markets.

IoT technology offers new opportunities to bridge the digital divide in rural areas. This technology refers to a network of interconnected devices that can communicate with each other and share data. In agriculture, IoT technology can monitor soil moisture levels, temperature, and other factors affecting crop growth. This data can be used to optimize irrigation schedules and reduce water usage, resulting in increased crop yields and reduced costs.

In healthcare, IoT technology can monitor patients remotely, allowing doctors and nurses to provide care without needing in-person visits. This is especially important in rural areas where access to healthcare is limited.

Embracing Change to Stay Competitive

In today’s fast-paced world, being open to new ideas and embracing innovation is crucial. Our world is highly competitive, and those who are slow to adapt to change will be left behind. Embracing change requires taking risks and being willing to learn new skills. However, those who embrace change will reap the rewards of a more innovative and efficient business.

Governments, businesses, and individuals must work together to ensure everyone has access to the benefits of digitalization and the Internet, regardless of where they live. We can create a more equitable and prosperous world for everyone by bridging the digital divide.

Conclusion

In conclusion, digitalization and the Internet have significantly impacted various industries, creating new jobs while rendering some obsolete. The lack of Internet access in rural areas has widened the digital divide, making it challenging for rural communities to access the benefits of digitalization. However, the increasing availability of Internet coverage creates new opportunities for businesses in rural areas to embrace digitalization and access new markets. Bridging the digital divide in rural areas is crucial to ensure everyone has access to the benefits of digitalization and the Internet, regardless of location. This requires a concerted effort from governments, businesses, and individuals to improve Internet coverage and provide access to new technologies, such as IoT.

IoT technology offers new opportunities to improve efficiency and productivity in various industries, from agriculture to healthcare. Embracing change and new technologies is necessary to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced world. Governments, businesses, and individuals must work together to ensure everyone can access the benefits of digitalization and the Internet, regardless of where they live. We can create a more equitable and prosperous world for everyone by bridging the digital divide.

Further Readings

1. Industry 4WRD Readiness Assessment and Incentives
2. Why Are We Still at Industrial Revolution 2.7 (IR2.7)?
3. Propelling IoT in Malaysia
4. Malaysia Needs 100K IoT Professionals to Complement the Big Data Workforce
5. IOT in Malaysia – Current & Future Trends

FAVORIOT, an IoT company, has been on an exciting journey since its first IoT product, Raqib, in 2018. Raqib received valuable feedback from users and potential customers, and FAVORIOT had to decide whether to enhance the current development or build a new one. While still improving their second product, Favorsense, and their third product, the Favoriot IoT platform, they decided to trust their instincts and build their fourth IoT product, Dscover.

The problem statement for Dscover was to track an individual for safety purposes, especially during travel. Raqib was initially designed as a single-device solution for tracking, but finding the right market for this product was essential. During the customer development process, FAVORIOT identified that the travel and tourism market was the best fit for Raqib. Raqib’s mobile app solution was well-suited for this market, which was vast and active before the Covid-19 pandemic hit in early 2020.

However, the travel and tourism industry was severely affected when the pandemic struck. FAVORIOT had to pivot its market to a family and friends app, which was challenging due to the B2C model. Social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter were used for targeted ads, and the user’s demographics were identified. But the initial name for the product, D’scover, was challenging to search for in the App Store due to the unique spelling. Hence, FAVORIOT changed the name to Dscover, which made it easier for users to find the app.

FAVORIOT’s journey has not been without its challenges. The IoT solution for Dscover was challenging, and FAVORIOT faced marketing and sales hurdles before building new products. However, the company has learned valuable lessons along the way, and they plan to share more about their journey in future blog articles. As the IoT market continues to grow, FAVORIOT intends to be a leader in this industry with their four IoT products, each with its strengths and weaknesses.

Have you ever experienced the frustration of finding a parking spot, only to realize that the parking system is manual and outdated? Well, the good news is that the future of parking is digital, revolutionizing how we park.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of digital parking systems and the different types of systems available.

Benefits of Digital Parking Systems Digital parking systems utilize technology to make parking more convenient, efficient, and secure. Here are some of the benefits:

Improved Efficiency: With sensors, cameras, and other technology, digital parking systems can monitor real-time parking spots, allowing drivers to find available parking spots quickly. This leads to less congestion and more efficient use of parking resources.

Increased Revenue: Digital parking systems provide more accurate data on parking utilization, allowing parking operators to make better decisions on pricing and availability. This can lead to increased revenue for parking operators.

Enhanced Security: By monitoring parking lots in real time and recording who has entered and exited the lot, digital parking systems can deter criminal activity and provide a safer environment for drivers.

Types of Digital Parking Systems

Different digital parking systems are designed to make parking more accessible and less frustrating for drivers.

Smart Parking Meters: These meters are equipped with sensors that detect when a car has parked in a spot and automatically begin a timer for the parking session. Payment can be made with a credit card or mobile payment.

Parking Guidance Systems: These systems provide real-time information on the availability of parking spots. Using sensors to detect when a car has parked in a location, drivers can access this information through mobile apps or digital displays to find available parking spots.

License Plate Recognition Systems: These systems use cameras to capture a vehicle’s license plate as it enters and exits the parking lot. The system then matches the plate to a database of registered vehicles and verifies if the driver has paid for parking. This eliminates the need for parking tickets and allows for a smoother parking experience.

Conclusion

Digital parking systems are revolutionizing how we park, making it more convenient, efficient, and secure. With improved efficiency, increased revenue, and enhanced security, these systems are a win-win for drivers and parking operators.

So, say goodbye to the outdated and manual parking systems and hello to the digital revolution. The future of parking is here, and it’s looking bright.