Make innovation a priority with a modernized network

Public hospitals in developing countries are often accused of poor service delivery – and traditional networks may be partly to blame. When patient information is scattered across systems, it takes longer for staff to access critical data. This can result in miscommunication and even delays in providing treatment and care. 

A modernized, self-healing network that incorporates IoT devices, centralized electronic health records and a robust wireless infrastructure can greatly improve the quality of healthcare delivered by a hospital.

How networks support a new world of healthcare

With this kind of integrated network, a centralized records system can aggregate patient information from multiple departments on a single platform. This allows healthcare professionals and administrators to access patient data in real time from any terminal or mobile device in the hospital. And they can use the network to send instant messages or make video calls from wherever they are.

Once medical devices such as heart monitors are incorporated into the network through secure wireless connections, data on patients’ vital signs can be automatically added to their records. If a patient’s heart rate seems unusual, the system can instantly alert the staff.

This kind of tracking can be extended to devices like smart, connected armbands. These devices monitor a patient’s vital signs and send alerts if the signs are outside a particular range. With this information readily available, hospital staff can attend to emergencies quickly and prioritize patients in need when they do their rounds. Knowing where patients are at all times mitigates risk for the hospital itself, too.

Because modern networks can “fix” themselves, if there’s a blip in connectivity while the surgical team is operating on a patient, the network can switch instantly to a different connection to keep life-saving data flowing.

And, for hospital management, a more widely connected hospital means they get valuable insights into equipment use, staff workloads, patient-flow metrics and bed occupation. For example, patients won’t have to wait in reception when beds are already available, and fewer empty beds are good for the bottom line.

Infrastructure that’s a gateway to innovation

The shift from traditional to modern networks is revolutionizing industries by integrating a range of communication protocols such as Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth and Zigbee. These technologies facilitate the seamless and secure collection and real-time processing of data from numerous sources, including IoT devices, which feature prominently in digital transformation.

Using our hospital example, it’s clear how a modernized network can improve patient care and emergency response times, make workflows more efficient, limit network disruptions affecting critical equipment, lower operational costs and deliver an ROI that justifies the investment in the network.

This level of modernization is also a catalyst for innovation: it is an infrastructure upgrade, but it also creates a gateway to economic, technological and social advances.

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Making manufacturing smarter

In the manufacturing sector, modern networks  are transforming the factory floor. They enable short interval control – a process that uses real-time data to address production issues before they escalate. This improves operational efficiency while limiting downtime and maintenance costs.

Many manufacturers still rely on production reports issued only at the end of a production run, when what they need is real-time visibility of their data so they can intervene earlier if a production run goes wrong. A modernized network can accommodate smart sensors with edge-computing abilities on the production line.

For example, a manufacturer might have bins that collect faulty products when they are pushed out of the production line, but they only know how much waste has occurred once the production run is done and somebody checks the bins.

Now, because of modernized network connectivity, a digital scale can monitor the ratio of waste generation in real time and sound the alarm if it crosses a certain threshold. Less waste means more money saved on raw materials.

Intelligence at the edge

The integration of edge AI with modern networks is another game changer.

By processing data locally, edge computing significantly reduces latency and allows for the secure handling of sensitive information. With edge, you don’t have to push large volumes of data over the network to be processed in the cloud.

It also supports business continuity – if connectivity to the outside world is interrupted, local data-gathering and processing can continue.

And, when you add the power of AI to the edge, you’ll see improvements in production environments spanning everything from waste reduction and increased production efficiency to optimized maintenance schedules and costs, optimized energy management and enhanced OT security. Each of these improvements contributes to a robust ROI. Furthermore, combining edge AI with concepts such as digital twins supports a strategy of continuous improvement that goes beyond the legacy “what if” modeling approach.

In manufacturing, edge AI can go beyond simply using a camera to check products on a conveyor belt for defects. It can be trained with data on what constitutes good or bad product units, then make those calls in real time by independently applying AI-driven reasoning.

Connect the dots in your organization

However, the journey toward fully modernized networks is not without its complications.

A network modernization project may prove expensive, especially in the early stages. Bridging the gap between your business needs and technological capabilities is another big hurdle. Your IT department might have plans involving AI and other exciting new technologies, while the C-suite is focusing on broader business problems.

For example, you might decide to invest in a Wi-Fi refresh without fully exploring the value it will deliver to each business unit and how those business units will contribute to the cost of the project. Such infrastructure upgrades often come about when technology is deemed end of life or end of support – it’s about keeping the lights on rather than facilitating innovation.

Often, it takes a skilled, neutral observer or service provider to connect the dots between your business managers and IT teams. By collaborating with expert technology providers, you can create tailored solutions that optimize your investments and deliver results for everyone.

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Choose NTT DATA

NTT DATA is at the forefront of this approach to digital transformation. Our comprehensive, full-stack services span consulting, implementation and ongoing management. We not only update your network infrastructure but also keep it aligned with your strategic goals, thereby enabling sustained innovation.

As your network evolves, you can also expect an increase in events and failures that traditional support processes won’t be able to handle. Our expertise includes next-generation approaches to network management, like AIOps and automation, that filter out the noise and leave you free to focus on your business strategy.

We know that network modernization is a vital step in creating robust, future-ready industries that can support significant economic growth and social development. By helping you to focus on and upgrade your network infrastructure, we keep you ahead of the pack.