Huawei 2013 Annual Report Download - page 51

50 Industry Trends
■ Through data analytics, a core competence
for businesses today, the Internet will
create new information monopolies and
asymmetry while shattering the old ones
The Internet makes information dissemination and
access impossibly easy. It breaks the traditional
monopoly of knowledge and information by
certain industries and enterprises, who will find
it hard to grab the high value they used to enjoy.
But every coin has two sides. While shattering the
old one, the Internet has created new monopolies
and asymmetry of information at a higher level.
The Internet giants are collecting massive user and
transaction data, and leveraging Big Data analytics
to fully explore user behaviors, thus creating new
information asymmetry and monopolies over the
other enterprises and service providers. A new
monopoly at a higher lever then takes shape.
Information has become an asset more important
than physical infrastructure. Information and
data operation are and will continue to be core
competences that carry great weight.
■ As power in the value chain shifts toward
users, users have to be fully engaged with
their wisdom pooled together to build a
new commanding height
With the traditional information monopoly
shattered and information transparency increasing
in general, users are getting more power.
Enterprises must go further than just responding
to and meeting customer needs. A higher-level
of user-centricity is required that involves users
in every business process, from requirement
collection, product ideation and design, R&D,
testing, production, marketing, to after-sales
services. Only by leveraging users’ collective
wisdom can enterprises prosper, together with
customers.
It is no exaggeration to say that the core of the
Internet mindset is user-centricity. In designing
products, delivering inspired experience, and
promoting brand image via word of mouth,
user involvement is a must. However, this is not
simply the building of online communities and
user forums; it involves the transformation of
management, R&D, and technological architecture.
■ ICT is becoming the core of enterprise
competitiveness that enables innovation
and redefinition of the market
In the information age, the enterprise ICT system is
not just a support system that improves efficiency
and reduces cost, but a customer-centric business
and production system. It is shifting the focus from
“digital management and IT assets” to “digital
products and data assets.” It is fair to say that
ICT has become the core competence and engine
that propels an enterprise’s business development
and enables innovation for enterprises to redefine
the market. This is true for any enterprise, be it
big or small, from automobile manufacturers to
hotdog stands. Irrespective of business scope and
size, future enterprises must first be “high-tech”
enterprises, fully leveraging ICT to upgrade and
transform themselves. Otherwise, they will be
left with no chance, just like riding a horse in an
attempt to catch up with a high-speed train.
As we embrace the next wave of digital society, we
are seeing the infiltration of the Internet into value
creation and a deeper integration of the digital
and physical worlds. “Internet+” has become the
focus of innovation in traditional industries and a
starting point for their reformation towards digital.