Distributors examine new market sectors

Artificial intelligence and the “Internet of Things” are likely to be the most popular terms used in mass media in the IT sphere.  However, if you ask eight IT specialists, they, perhaps, will give eight different definitions of artificial intelligence.

The first question addressed to distributors is rather banal: “Are there any solutions in your portfolio, which have a fully implemented AI function?”

Anastasia Sokolova, Marketing director, MERLON: “This trend, if we do not refer AI to traditional analytical and business applications, is still at the phase when developers demonstrate to potential users and investors the way it should work in real conditions. For now, this is rather a concept, not a practical solution.” This phase is followed by the testing phase, and after that an active business application shall come up. Anastasia Sokolova said, “That is why, as soon as well-tested commercial solutions demanded in the market appear, we, no doubt, will use them to the full extent and will push them though our supply channel”. So, this distributor is waiting for “market-tested commercial solutions”, it is still unclear to which extent the distributor is involved in the process of AI testing.

<...> Now, let talk about another popular trend, i.e. the “Internet of Things”.  It is of interest, do all distributors sell such devices?

According to Anastasia Sokolova (MERLION), their distributor company is already selling such solutions and widening the range of such products. “We are selling not only foreign-made products, but also domestic products and there are some companies in our country, which are quickly developing this trend, including development and manufacturing of components for “smart” house or “smart” enterprise”.

<...> Now let’s discuss a particular financial aspect:  “Are blockchain technologies able to help distribution in the foreseeable future and if yes, in which part of it?”

According to Anastasia Sokolova (MERLION), these technologies will be used, first of all, in electronic document management, or in data exchange. Probably, in the course of time these technologies will become one of the most widespread standards in development of IT solutions and will be widely used for cooperation with regulatory bodies and partners. E-commerce has a certain potential for application of such technologies. All in all, the market and laws will define how to apply these developments.