How AI can revolutionise your business and unleash hidden potential

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries. Now it’s changing the IT reselling sector, which affects the technology you can purchase to boost your business. 

According to our new research Partnering for Success: State of the IT Channel Ecosystem, AI is among the most in-demand service for respondents globally. The demand for AI and automated services is surging, signalling a significant shift in how you operate and innovate.  

Surveying 1,700 IT and tech resellers globally, including 100 interviews conducted in South Africa, almost half (47%) said that AI and automated services are a revenue stream of most interest to customers today—and anticipate this will remain the case for 18 months. 

This blog post will provide insights into why you should consider AI-powered software solutions and how they can propel your business into a new era of efficiency, security, and growth. 

Understand the AI revolution 

AI has become increasingly prominent in IT solutions and is transforming business operations in various industries.  

AI technology allows machines to learn from data, identify patterns, and make decisions like humans. With the increasing availability of data and advancements in computing power, AI has become more accessible and affordable. 

Automation 

One of the key ways that AI is transforming business operations is through automation. AI-powered tools and platforms can automate repetitive tasks, such as data entry or customer service inquiries 

The use of automation can: 

• Free up your employees to focus on more strategic and creative tasks.  
• Lead to increased productivity, efficiency, and cost savings. 

Data analytics 

AI is also transforming business operations through data analysis. With the ability to analyse vast amounts of data in real-time, AI can provide you with the following: 

• Valuable insights into customer behaviour, market trends, and operational performance.  
• The ability to make informed decisions and optimise their operations for greater success. 

You should look at ways to use AI to improve your operations, enhance customer experiences, and gain a competitive advantage.  

If you’re buying AI tech, deal with skilled people 

Today, you might deal with IT resellers to get your technology. Ideally, they should already offer AI-powered solutions to meet your needs and customers. 

It helps that IT resellers invest in people with AI skills—a strong indication of the significance of AI capabilities in current and future software solutions. Around half of the IT reseller respondents in our research (51%) actively recruit employees with AI and machine learning skill sets. 

Here are a few reasons why it will be better to deal with IT resellers that have people with AI skills: 

Understanding the products 

If a reseller deals with AI-based products or services, having staff with AI skills is critical for understanding the product’s capabilities and functions. This understanding will enable them to explain products to you properly, helping you make informed buying decisions. 

Customisation and integration 

Some AI-based solutions might require customisation or integration with your existing systems. IT reseller staff with AI skills can help manage these processes, ensuring the product delivers maximum value to you. 

Technical support 

After you buy a product, you often need technical support. Staff with AI skills will be better equipped to troubleshoot and resolve any issues you have with AI-based products or services. 

Training clients 

When you purchase an AI-based solution, you might need training on how to use it effectively. Having staff with AI skills can make this training process smoother and more effective. 

Staying current 

The field of AI is rapidly evolving. Having employees who understand AI can help an IT reseller stay in touch with the latest developments, which allows them to adapt any products they offer to you. 

In South Africa, cybersecurity solutions, cloud, and SaaS applications are also top of the agenda for channel partners.  

Half (50%) of South African IT reseller respondents cited cybersecurity solutions as vital to their growth and customer pipeline, followed by data privacy (34%) and AI, and automated services (32%).  

AI and cybersecurity  

With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated and frequent, you must prioritise cybersecurity solutions to protect sensitive data and operations. By purchasing software with AI capabilities, you may get a more powerful and effective solution than in the past. 

 Here are some reasons why you should consider AI-enabled cybersecurity solutions: 

• AI can identify and respond to threats in real-time 

AI-powered cybersecurity solutions can analyse large amounts of data in real-time to identify potential threats and respond to them quickly. This can help you prevent data breaches and minimise the damage caused by cyber-attacks. 

• AI can detect and prevent unknown threats 

Traditional old-school cybersecurity solutions relied on known patterns and signatures to identify threats. Today, AI-powered solutions can detect and prevent unknown threats by analysing behaviour patterns and identifying anomalies that may indicate a potential threat. 

• AI can automate security tasks 

AI-powered cybersecurity solutions can automate routine security tasks like patch management and vulnerability scanning. This can free your IT staff to focus on more strategic tasks and improve your overall security posture. 

• AI can improve threat intelligence 

AI-powered cybersecurity solutions can analyse vast amounts of data from multiple sources to provide you with more comprehensive threat intelligence. This can help you avoid emerging threats and make more informed decisions about your cybersecurity strategy. 

• AI can enhance incident response 

AI-powered cybersecurity solutions can help businesses respond quickly and effectively in a cyber-attack. Automating incident response tasks and providing real-time threat intelligence can minimise the damage and improve overall resilience. 

AI and SaaS applications 

AI can significantly boost the performance of your cloud and SaaS applications, providing you with improved efficiency, productivity, and cost savings.  

Here are some ways in which AI can enhance the performance of your SaaS applications: 

Predictive analytics 

AI-powered SaaS applications can use predictive analytics to analyse data and identify patterns, allowing you to make more informed decisions and optimise your operations. This can lead to improved efficiency and productivity. 

Personalisation 

AI-powered SaaS applications can use machine learning algorithms to personalise user experiences, tailoring the application to each user’s specific needs and preferences. This can improve user engagement and satisfaction. 

Automation 

AI-powered SaaS applications can automate routine tasks, such as data entry and customer service inquiries, freeing employees to focus on more strategic, useful work. This can lead to improved efficiency and cost savings. 

Natural language processing  

AI-powered SaaS applications can use natural language processing to understand and respond to user queries in real time. This can improve user engagement and satisfaction, reducing the workload of customer service teams. 

• Fraud detection 

AI-powered SaaS applications can use machine learning algorithms to detect and prevent fraud, reducing the risk of financial loss for businesses. 

The impact of generative AI 

Generative AI is a type of AI that can create new content, such as images, videos, and text, based on existing data. It can potentially revolutionise how your businesses operate internally and interact with customers externally.  

Here are some benefits of generative AI for businesses you can see and use already. 

Personalisation—create personalised content for customers, such as product recommendations, ads, and social media posts.  

Creativity—create new and innovative designs, products, and services. 

Efficiency—automate routine tasks, such as content creation and design, freeing employees to focus on more strategic tasks. 

Scalability—create large quantities of content quickly and efficiently, making it ideal to scale your operation quickly.  

Innovation—explore new ideas and concepts, leading to breakthroughs in research and development.  

You should invest in IT solutions primed for future AI developments to stay ahead of the curve and take advantage.  

Here are 3 ways to do this: 

1. Partner with technology providers 

You can get access to the latest AI technologies and expertise. This can help you stay current with emerging trends and implement future-proof AI solutions for future development. 

2. Invest in research and development 

Investing in research and development can help you stay ahead of the curve if you’re interested in developing new AI solutions and exploring emerging trends. This can help you create a competitive advantage and stay at the forefront of your industry. 

3. Foster a culture of innovation 

Fostering a culture of innovation can encourage employees to explore emerging trends and experiment with new AI solutions. This can help your business stay agile and adaptable when faced with rapidly evolving technologies. 

Final thoughts on using AI to revolutionise your business 

As AI continues to revolutionise business, it’s clear that you need to stay ahead of the curve to reap the immense benefits it offers.  

The possibilities are vast, from enhancing efficiency and productivity through automation and data analytics to bolstering cybersecurity measures and supercharging cloud SaaS applications.  

Understanding, implementing and tracking evolving AI technologies are becoming increasingly crucial in today’s fast-paced digital landscape. 

You should actively seek partnerships with IT resellers who have a strong understanding of AI and equipped to offer products and services that meet this evolving demand.  

The advent of new AI technologies, such as generative AI, also emphasises the need to adapt to current trends, and anticipate and prepare for future developments. 

Undoubtedly, we’re on the cusp of an AI-driven era.  

By embracing this transformation, investing in the right technologies, and fostering a culture of innovation, you can unlock new avenues of growth and success.