The tech and allied sectors are all set to soar, going by market data and adoption patterns. The term video-conference was searched most on Google in March and April 2020 when the lockdown was announced following the outbreak of COVID-19. The ban on Chinese apps and the stress on developing Indian solutions augur well for the sector as well.
The IT start-ups in Kerala secured 26 deals and 401 crore investments last year. There were no big-ticket investments but the 12 funding deals of 2109 rose to 26 in 2020.
The following could be major game-changers in the coming months:
Communication tech
Research and development in online communication will see a lot of activity. The conventional modes of video-conferencing apart, companies and individuals are looking for networking and remote tools which would enable them to execute tasks easily and without monotony.
Cloud/data centre
There will be increased demand in data centre virtualisation. This is especially so because people across the world are seeking to work and study virtually. With this, cloud-based technologies also have been seeing a huge demand spike.
Cybersecurity
There will be increased investment in cybersecurity applications as people have started working from homes. The secured networks of office are not available to many people now.
Digital health
Healthcare delivery has also shifted online. Consultations have also shifted online. The Union government’s E-Sanjivani portal saw 10 lakh consultations.
OTT/broadcast
All OTT platforms are vying with one another to give the best experience to viewers. The theatre-at-home experience could be the future of OTT.
Automobile electronics
The new era of vehicles could be driverless, electric and extremely intelligent. Huge investments could happen in these sectors.
Big data analytics
Data is the new ‘in thing’ and software-based data analytics is increasingly being used to drive businesses and solutions.
V Sreekumar, Centre Head of Tata-Elxsi added that "The COVID scene has altered the online landscape. As work and study-from-home practices are here to stay, largescale research on tools which can operate on lower bandwidths would gain currency. Many new applications that could challenge the preeminence of Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams could come up in the near future.