What to Expect in 2022?

Growing data volumes, more flexible computer infrastructure, digitalization, and skills development are at the top of the energy company priority lists in 2022, according to Gartner Inc. Recent technical developments are forcing utilities to become more flexible and more responsive in addressing market needs, so new businesses processes are required.

Technical advances enable energy companies to collect more information than ever before. To leverage the new information for corporate improvements, energy companies must develop new data processing, retention, and compliance business processes.

Just In Time Infrastructure Emerges  

Energy suppliers require flexible computer infrastructure to support new business initiatives. Cloud, mobile, digital, and platforms are coalescing to support Just-In-Time infrastructure. Borrowed from manufacturing, this concept delivers the appropriate volume of resources as requirements wax and wane.

Digital technology is becoming quite popular because it reduces friction, lowers costs, and speeds up service delivery. Increasingly, it is becoming a business  differentiator. By 2025, 70% of leaders who ignore digital innovation will be marginalized, according to Gartner.

This new environment is dramatically altering the skills employees need in order to be productive. In fact, 29% of the skills in an average job posting in 2018 will not be needed by 2022, according to Gartner. In response, energy companies must retool their human resources processes and training programs to ensure that their workforce has the appropriate skill sets.

Change is coming fast and furious for energy companies. To keep pace, they need to understand what is occurring and revamp their organizations accordingly.