BICSI Insider

One thing during this crisis that drove me crazy was everyone calling the state of lockdowns and social distancing the "new normal." Recent events have been anything BUT normal. Our medical personnel, first responders, and essential personnel are heroes. Our IT departments and data centers are keeping us going and supporting these heroes at the same time. As mothers, sisters, and daughters, we beam with pride and worry at the same time. But I firmly believe that out of everything bad, comes something good. So, let's focus on the amazing things. Data centers and telecommunications have proven their mission-critical status. Imagine the Spanish Flu in 1918. It took weeks and months to get word of family members via ponies and ships. Technology has been a blessing. Those little digits we throw around the internet allow us to communicate and work from anywhere, the new mantra. We have heard about the horrible 67% attrition rate for women in tech. Yes, roughly two-thirds of all women don't just leave their job, they literally leave tech altogether. Reasons cited include harassment, work/life balance, caregiver duties, etc. As women, not having options simply meant dropping out. Work from anywhere solves many of the issues. Was everyone able to just work elsewhere without a hitch? Oh no. Some companies did a much better job at getting remote work up and running. I have zero doubt that soon companies will begin evaluating solutions they threw in to assure they are right long-term. Locations for apps and data will decentralize to the edge. Circuits and communications lines will be beefed up. People at the edge are going to demand a better experience. Carrier oversubscription models are being viewed discerningly. 5G will only provide some relief, regardless of the hype. Our children are learning differently. Classrooms are going to be expected to use more digital solutions. We will be integrating mobility and sites like @Curriki into the student experience. Parents will want robust services as their homes become the connected edge for themselves and their children. The best part is that all these things need to be designed and connected! More than Words from Women in BICSI "COVID and the Newer Digital Experience" By Carrie Goetz, D.MCO, RCDD, NTS, CDCP, CDCS, CNID, Master IM, AWS CCP, PSP, Certified SCRUM Master, Principal/CTO, StrategITcom, LLC ORGANIZATION Page 17

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