Keeping-Up with the Dynamic IT Industry

Tonon Leandro, Corporate Chief Information Officer, Pronaca

In an interview, Tonon Leandro, global vice president of technology at Pronaca discusses his thoughts on the evolving IT industry.

What are some of the major challenges and trends that have been impacting the IT Industry lately?

● Cybersecurity: With the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, cybersecurity has become a critical concern for organizations. Protecting sensitive data, preventing data breaches, and implementing robust security measures have become top priorities.

● Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): AI and ML technologies are revolutionizing various sectors, including IT. They are being used for tasks such as predictive analytics, natural language processing, automation, and customer service. The development and integration of AI and ML solutions have become significant trends in the IT industry.

● Internet of Things (IoT): The IoT has gained significant traction in recent years. It refers to the interconnection of various devices and objects that can collect and exchange data. This trend has opened up new opportunities and challenges in areas such as data management, security, and infrastructure scalability.

● Data Privacy and Regulations: With the increasing concerns about data privacy, regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) have been implemented. Compliance with these regulations has become a major challenge for organizations, requiring them to handle and protect user data responsibly.

● Remote Work and Collaboration: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote work and virtual collaboration tools. The IT industry has had to support the infrastructure, security, and connectivity required for remote work environments. This trend has led to the rise of technologies like video conferencing, project management tools, and virtual private networks (VPNs).

●Skills Gap and Talent Shortage: The IT industry is experiencing a skills gap, with a shortage of professionals skilled in emerging technologies. The demand for expertise in areas such as AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and data science is outpacing the available talent pool. Bridging this gap has become a challenge for organizations.

What keeps you up at night when it comes to some of the major predicaments in the IT Industry?

● Cybersecurity Breaches: The constant threat of cyberattacks and data breaches is a significant concern in the IT industry. The potential impact of these breaches on organizations and individuals can be devastating, leading to financial loss, reputation damage, and privacy violations. Developing robust security measures and staying one step ahead of cybercriminals is crucial.

● Privacy and Data Protection: The increasing amount of personal data being collected and stored by organizations raises concerns about privacy and data protection. Striking the right balance between utilizing data for innovation and protecting individuals' privacy rights is a challenge. Ensuring compliance with regulations and implementing strong data protection practices is vital.

● Ethical Use of Technology: The ethical implications of technology is becoming more prominent. Issues such as bias in AI algorithms, responsible use of automation, and the impact of technology on employment raise ethical dilemmas. The industry must address these concerns and ensure that technology is developed and deployed in an ethical and responsible manner.

“The IT industry is recognizing the importance of sustainability and environmentally friendly practices. Green IT initiatives focus on reducing energy consumption, minimizing e-waste, and adopting ecofriendly technologies.”

● Rapid Technological Advancements: While technological advancements bring numerous benefits, they also pose challenges. Keeping up with the pace of innovation and adopting new technologies can be demanding for organizations. Failure to adapt and leverage emerging technologies may result in being left behind by competitors.

● Skills Gap: The IT industry faces a shortage of skilled professionals in various areas, including cybersecurity, AI, cloud computing, and data analytics. Closing the skills gap and ensuring a workforce equipped with the necessary expertise is a persistent challenge. It requires investments in education, training programs, and initiatives to attract and retain talent.

● Legacy System Modernization: Many organizations still rely on outdated legacy systems, which can be expensive to maintain, lack scalability, and hinder innovation. Modernizing these systems poses challenges in terms of cost, complexity, and potential disruptions to business operations.

Can you tell us about the latest project that you have been working on and what are some of the technological and process elements that you leveraged to make the project successful?

Aiming to boosting the sales force, I developed a project, with the help of artificial intelligence, where we could increase the company's sales, obtain greater margins and boost innovative products to our customers.

On the other hand, with this project we also supported our customers through data and information, suggesting the products with the highest rotation, best margin and products that his competitors were buying and he wasn't!

We also brought better operational efficiency with ‘suggested order’ where based on your profile and history, the artificial intelligence already knew which products the customer should buy

What are some of the technological trends, which excite you for the future of the IT Industry?

● Internet of Things (IoT) Expansion: The proliferation of connected devices and the interconnection of physical objects present exciting opportunities. IoT enables the collection of vast amounts of data, leading to improved efficiency, automation, and enhanced decision-making in sectors such as healthcare, transportation, and smart cities.

● 5G Connectivity: The widespread deployment of 5G networks promises significantly faster speeds, lower latency, and increased capacity compared to previous generations. This technology has the potential to unlock new opportunities in areas such as autonomous vehicles, immersive experiences, remote surgery, and the Internet of Things.

● Blockchain Technology: Blockchain is a distributed ledger technology that enables secure and transparent transactions. It has the potential to transform industries such as finance, supply chain management, healthcare, and digital identity verification by enhancing security, traceability, and efficiency.

● Green IT and Sustainable Solutions: The IT industry is recognizing the importance of sustainability and environmentally friendly practices. Green IT initiatives focus on reducing energy consumption, minimizing e-waste, and adopting eco-friendly technologies. The development of renewable energy solutions and sustainable data centers is an exciting trend in this space.

These technological trends hold immense potential to shape the future of the IT industry and drive innovation across multiple sectors. They present opportunities for increased efficiency, enhanced user experiences, and the transformation of traditional business models