In a live stream promoted by Texbrasil, global consulting highlights 10 technology trends for 2021

In March, Texbrasil (Program of Internationalization of the Brazilian Textile and Clothing Industry) – the result of a partnership between Abit (Brazilian Association of the Textile and Apparel Industry) and Apex-Brasil (Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency) – held a live stream in partnership with global consultancy Bain & Company.

On the occasion, the vice president of the Paris office of Bain, Truc Mai Dupont Vohong, disclosed a survey conducted by the company on the main technological trends for 2021. The event, mediated by the president of Abit, Fernando V. Pimentel, also had the participation of Alfredo Pinto, partner and company’s office head in South America.

The presented research consulted companies from around the world to detect opportunities for companies to deepen their knowledge and investments in technology, aiming for more productivity, less waste, and sustainability in the processes. Meet the 10 trends below:

• Artificial Intelligence

According to the research, IA can be applied in preventive maintenance actions, engine monitoring, reduced use in internet bandwidth, advanced manufacturing deployment, among others.

• 5G

The research further links Artificial Intelligence with 5G, which is expected to achieve a global economic output of USD 13.2 trillion, generating 22.3 million jobs up to 2035. The 5G can usher in an era of massive machine-to-machine communication, enabling the use of AI on all devices, from maintenance, production, sales and stock. In addition to several other processes that will remain in continuous and stable connection, from the capture of data.

• Customized services

Another technological advance that should guide the future concerns the information collected from smartphone users, and how to offer customized services, according to people’s profile. According to Bain & Company, there will be 3.8 million mobile phone users by the end of 2021, and new technologies will allow real-time information collection. The survey cites car insurance as an example. With more accurate user information, it would be possible to customize policies according to drivers’ profiles.

• Accessibility

Still, on the subject of Artificial Intelligence, the survey reiterates that, for the technology to be explored to its full potential, companies need to invest in easy and simple to use tools, which allow lay employees to work with these systems, expanding their access.

• Cybersecurity

The survey also addressed cybersecurity as a must-have issue. In the Covid-19 scenario, cybercrimes have increased unprecedentedly. However, most companies overestimate their performance when it comes to cybersecurity, and only 24% of companies are actually meeting the right standard.
For Bain, it is important to identify weaknesses in cybersecurity and develop more efficient solutions for data protection.

• Workforce

The survey also points out that employees working overtime and excessive absences generate losses of billions of dollars for companies, and retail is one of the main affected. According to the data presented, one way to reduce this loss is to bet on workforce management systems, increasing agility and operational performance.

• Health

The global expectation is that by 2025, the market “big data” in the area of health reach USD 700 billion. As an already growing technology, it is essential to invest in digital tools that aggregate patients’ medical information.
In addition to speeding up care, this technology allows medical teams more detailed information, offering an agile and more effective treatment.

• The future of HR

Bain & Company also highlights that by 2025, three quarters of the workforce will be made up of millennials, which is expected to change the structure of companies and the way departments work. The main one is, according to the consultancy, the Human Resources (HR), specifically recruitment.

New technologies can offer innovative solutions in recruitment, generating more efficiency in the process, and assertiveness in the choice of candidates.

• Circular economy

The topic is not new, but has been deepened in recent years, especially after the start of the pandemic. The research points out that by 2029, the circular economy will completely replace the linear economy. With this, technology solutions that support this system, from clothing rental sites to tools dedicated to logistics, will grow in the coming years.

• No waste

Finally, the 10th technology highlight, like the circular economy, is focused on sustainability. For the consultancy, technology should be a great ally in reducing waste, especially in food. Citing an American company as an example, research shows that an app helps large food retailers as well as local restaurants and wholesalers reduce waste by creating forms of communication that allow them to sell and donate excesses.

About Texbrasil

The Brazilian Textile and Fashion Industry Internationalization Program (Texbrasil) works with companies in the textile and apparel sector developing strategies to conquer the global market. Over 20 years, it has helped around 1600 brands to enter the export trail, generating USD 9 billion in business. The Program is carried out through a partnership between Abit and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil).