AI was once a luxury reserved only for large corporations that could afford to implement it. But thanks to the flood of AI programs becoming more readily available – from ChatGPT to Microsoft Copilot – business and IT leaders are increasingly under pressure to adapt.
But with new AI tools coming to market every day and a multitude of opportunities for businesses to benefit, how can companies within the channel ensure they are getting the most out of this transformative technology?
How is AI changing the channel?
There is no question that AI is leaving its mark in all industries – and companies in the channel are no exception.
With the growing demand for cloud technologies and digital transformation in the channel, channel partners need to understand how to use AI responsibly. Sustainably using AI will transform your business and ensure long-term success in the channel.
No matter what industry you’re in, you’re probably already using AI in some form. With advances like Microsoft Copilot making it much easier for companies to complete tasks from writing emails to creating reports, it’s no surprise that AI is the next big trend that all businesses are looking to embrace.
For companies in the sales channel, adopting AI is increasingly a no-brainer. The technology is predicted to add over $158 billion in value to the sales channel ecosystem by 2028. The technology reduces manual labor and enables channel partners to strategically allocate resources, improve supply chain management, and respond quickly to market challenges by better meeting customer needs.
Transformational AI implementation
What does it mean to use AI effectively? Companies across the channel should assess whether they have the necessary infrastructure in place to optimally use AI. If they can do this, the path is paved for complete business transformation. Some key considerations for decision makers include:
Quality data
The results AI can generate are only as good as the data you can feed into it. It’s important to make sure your data is as clean as possible and free of duplicates or inaccuracies.
It’s also important not to rush into AI. For a company to make the most of AI, business leaders must assess whether their company is getting enough data to make the project viable. Without sufficient data, it’s harder to gain relevant insights, limiting AI’s potential positive impact.
Alignment with business goals
Before companies embark on the AI journey, they should align their strategies with the desired results.
Consider how a project can give you a competitive advantage. There is no point in spending a lot of money on something that will not bring you valuable returns.
For example, a reseller can use AI tools to analyze market trends and consumer behavior to determine the optimal price for products at any given time. This allows the reseller to set a competitive price without the need for human intuition, bias, or manual effort.
Resource assessment
Assess financial and resource availability for AI projects. Companies need to decide whether they have the necessary resources in the form of internal expertise or whether collaborating with a technology company would be beneficial for a successful journey towards AI-driven digital transformation.
The last point may be particularly relevant for small businesses in the channel who may not have in-house expertise in this area. It is important to carefully consider whether you have the right budget and resources that these projects require.
Adaptability with AI
As AI continues to evolve, it is important for companies in the channel to be flexible and adapt to technological developments so they can remain competitive in an ever-changing environment. Being future-focused means ensuring that AI technologies are here to stay in business operations and can be truly embedded into processes.
AI is here to stay, so while it’s important to start small, companies should also be forward-thinking and prepared for the pace of change in their industry to keep up with rapidly evolving technologies.
Transformation with AI
AI has the potential to increase employee productivity, streamline customer interactions, and automate routine tasks so employees can focus on more challenging and rewarding work. To make AI adoption successful, organizations should consider AI impact assessments, develop AI policies, and stay up to date on evolving AI regulations.
Adopting AI is a critical aspect of a company’s journey to harness the transformative power of technology, bringing not only efficiency but also safety, ethical use and long-term success for organizations large and small in the channel.
