Technology is a tool most industries weave into their operational fabric. For some, it hums along in the background, serving as a supportive component of companies’ various achievements. However, other sectors view tech as a way to get ahead and improve service delivery to markets.
These industries are using technical resources, including innovative advancements, to push the envelope. Which pioneering trades make up the list of those creatively employing tech to its full potential? Let’s look at four of them below.
1. Education
Education brings images of books, homework, and classrooms to mind. While these images could include computer labs and digital resources, teachers typically use them with students in person. The pandemic may have made remote learning a more viable option, but schools are now back to operating at normal capacity. For the most part, the traditional classroom is still in place.
Conventional, in-person learning environments also tend to group students together. There’s a heavy focus on absorbing lessons as a collective. This approach can promote collaboration and prepare students for teamwork in the business world. But at the same time, the method overlooks the needs of individual learners. A few may thrive on independent self-study, while others require individualized attention for core subjects like math.
Tutoring is a solution, but bringing this level of support into the classroom can be challenging, both from a budgetary and logistical perspective. Technology offers a way to overcome this obstacle through online tutoring and personalized learning. By matching learners with teachers based on personality fit and skills, students get the tailored support they need. Flexible tutoring lessons are also accessible no matter where a student is located.
2. Insurance
No one wants to get in a car accident, but they do happen. In 2020, over 1.5 million car crashes caused injuries to U.S. drivers and their passengers. Plus, more than 3.6 million collisions resulted in property damage. These collisions can wreck anything from vehicles to street lamp poles and houses.
These alarming statistics underscore the need for insurance. Driving without insurance is a huge risk, as auto coverage can pay for more than fixing up a damaged car. Policies also cover medical bills, rental car expenses, and emergency road services after a collision. But to get those benefits, drivers must file claims. It’s a process many find nerve-wracking, confusing, and tedious.
As a result, the insurance industry is using technology to simplify the claims process. Mobile apps let policyholders initiate their claims immediately and upload photos of damages for repair estimates. Drivers don’t have to wait for their agent’s office to open or call the claims department to coordinate everything.
Although a claim handler still manages the process, they can send additional self-service options via text messages. Drivers can reserve rental cars and select a body shop when they’re ready to choose. Payments route directly from insurance carriers to the driver’s selected service providers. Mobile apps also show claims status, active policies, and coverage limits.
3. Fast Food
Analysts project that fast food will be a more than $1.46 billion market by 2028. Estimates also indicate the sector will grow approximately 6% annually from 2021 to 2028. It seems consumers’ appetite for convenient meals won’t be completely satisfied anytime soon. These market conditions create opportunities for the industry’s players but also increase stiff competition.
A quick drive around a commercial district or an online search for food reveals plenty of choices. If a person wants to order a pizza, familiarity or price could influence their selection. Although pizza chains can differentiate the taste and quality of the food, this strategy may not be enough. Technology can make quick-service restaurants stand out when personalized convenience is what consumers want.
The fast-food industry already leverages mobile apps and delivery network partnerships to extend convenience. Yet a few industry leaders are including social media in the mix. They’re also adding more delivery and pick-up options that accommodate customers’ unique needs. Hungry clients can use a single platform to order menu favorites with a tweet and a smartwatch tap. They can then choose a pick-up location close to home or schedule contactless delivery.
4. Clothing and Footwear Manufacturing
With few exceptions, customers usually don’t buy their clothing and shoes directly from manufacturers. Instead, manufacturers rely on retail distribution networks to reach consumers. Apparel makers concentrate on selling the product and nothing else. If there’s demand for the clothing line, the manufacturer makes its money while the retailer develops the customer relationship.
But when a person buys an item like a shoe, there are distinct reasons behind it. Chances are someone who needs running shoes makes different lifestyle choices than a consumer who opts for stilettos. Some clothing and footwear makers use technology to capitalize on the lifestyle factors driving customers’ purchases. Instead of staying in the background, these manufacturers realize they can use tech to build direct relationships and brand loyalty.
Take the consumer who buys a company’s running shoes. More than likely, they’re interested in improving their physical health. Some brands offer fitness training programs through mobile apps to appeal to these lifestyle needs. A manufacturer is no longer just selling the shoe. The company now provides exclusive, personalized services to help consumers put their product to good use.
Industries Using Tech to Innovate
Companies often see technology as a way to cut costs and increase efficiency. While some industries use tech as a prop for operational needs, other sectors are starting to think outside the box. Companies in industries like education and insurance are leveraging technology’s capabilities to serve consumers in unique ways. They’re pushing the boundaries of what it means to connect by linking innovative approaches with market needs.