

RISE OF QR CODE TECHNOLOGY IN COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Date:July,2021
Author:Taakila Mugo ,Founder and CEO of Framework Concepts
Introduction
QR codes seems to be the new mammoth in transactions nowadays within this Covid-19 pandemic era. QR codes, short for "Quick Response codes", involves the use of bar codes that are read by mobile phones to complete transactions in terms of digital payments. The rise of QR code technology has been led by the global pandemic as a way of avoiding one on one contact. In developed and developing economies, different government-run systems are switching to technology as a key front to solve the Covid-19 pandemic. Those black and white patterns are finally taking off. Let me dive into the three major sector shift of the technology which are Hotel, Health and Travel:
Hotel
With the current pandemic, most businesses are interlocking the technology with their business models. Hotels now have digital menus where you scan for your menu replacing old traditional ordering menus. The software tool has made the paper format to become obsolete. Perusing menus has now become a thing of the past. Moreover, distribution of information between hotels and client has become more customer centric. Safety procedures and protocols are being laid down through use of QR codes. In my opinion, the hotel business seems to have taken a dynamic shift on transactions for purposes of coping with the new norms globally.
Travel
Travel regulations have also changed and are using QR codes as proof of healthy travelers moving from one country to another. Physical exchange, a major contributor to the pandemic has forced travel agencies to rethink their strategies on customer journey interaction. Tap, scan and go is their new slogan. For instance we are no longer seeing queues within the travel network due to the adaptability of a quick and efficient processing system known as the QR code system. Moreover tracking data has evolved companies to get to know user interactions on their platforms which in turn give information used for revenue uptakes within their sales model.
Health
Digital health has revolutionized the health sector in the last one year since the pandemic erupted. One way that health providers are relaying information is through use of health applications or so called "health apps". The rise of QR codes arise in transfer of data from health providers to the end users. We have seen recently in the health industry adoption of digital certificates which help users evaluate their health status. This transfer of data is led through Qr code technology. Also the digital health codes which analyze ones history travel to determine whether they are a threat to people are a proof that the technology works. In terms of security issues the users want health apps that are compatible with companies that let them keep their own data.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the three sectors have led to an up growth on QR code technology. Each sector is affected differently but the technological process is the same. Furthermore having been a witness to the surge of covid-19 pandemic, I do believe that QR codes will be the future of transactions since the innovation is gaining traction at fast pace. Lastly new technologies are led by shift in market changes and in this case Covid-19 pandemic is leading the market to QR code system hence the uptake.

Monopolisation of tech companies
Author:Taakila Mugo ,Founder and CEO of Framework Concepts
Inroduction
Tweaking traditional concepts of doing things has been replaced by technology but at what point does monopoly come in?.According to Wikipedia Monopolisation refers to attempts by a dominant firm or group of relatively large firms to maintain or increase market control through various anti-competitive practices such as predatory pricing, pre-emption of facilities, and foreclosure of competition.In the 21 st century technology seems to be in control of each and every sector in the world. One cannot do anything without being tech centric and that makes them a democracy in their own making. With their outstanding performance in the stock exchange how far before government systems say they have had it.At what point does monopolization of tech companies become a problem?
In the last decade tech industries have been thriving on cut throat profits using data analytics tools to wipe out competition.With huge market scopes their power seems to be unbeatable.These Companies are a buy and halt process when it comes to competition.They buy their competition and no innovations forms further leading to unfair marketing practices.A company like Fcebook is an example of a monopoly status symbol.After their acquiring of watsapp while still owning messenger leaves no room for competition on messaging platfroms.These companies seem to practice a lot of unethical practices just to stay in the market.A deep study into them and you will find their competitors are in a downward spiral of demand.
A controversy last rose when the big four tech giants Google ,Amazon,Facebook and Apple were subjected to a white house judiciary committee led by the democrats in Congress to explain predicaments of monopolisation.The companies were accused of having too much power like the oil and rail industry in the hey days of the 18th century.The four CEOS who run these tech giants denied allegations of monopolisation and were heavily fined for their lack of ethics.
New industry territories like artificial intelligence have been a favorite for these companies where one is able to predict data leaving their rival competitors in the wind.As stated in built-in beta, a company that provides AI services, Artificial intelligence is a branch of computer science concerned with building smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. This definition clearly tells you that tasks that are human oriented are being replaced by machines.The monopolistic companies have formed a habit of buying companies that offer these services and collect data that is used by the human community making the market completely predictable to them
Their related industries in social media,e commerce and advertising have basically fallen off their perches when it comes to market share and revenue. A continued downward fall has led to lawsuits front, left and center.These Artificial intelligence companies have structured algorithms which can predict anything by using data points which leads to easy access of wins in the markets.
How to deal with these companies
To come up with a solution we have to uphold anti trust laws to curb inequalities in the market.Having more funding for anti trust law agencies should be a priority.It gives these agencies an easy go ahead to deal with monoplisation.If we have a systematic pursuit of competition becomes democratic. They should also break down these companies to structural operations and dissaprove competition on companies that are comparable to them.This gives an opportunity for other industry players an access to the market share or in tech terms as they call it "access to users". Avoidance of mergers and acquisitions in the same industry for tech companies should be prohibited.
This will allow a fair share game within the market.Prices also should be regulated.The cost of a service depends on the average cost ,the total cost divided by the output.If competition becomes unethical monopolists usually determine market prices.Regulation on pricing should be put forth to discourage tech companies from taking advantage of how to price their products and services.
To avert biasness they should be requested to scale down their business models to maintain better relations in the market.If their business models predict the market competition becomes obsolete leaving their rivals hanging in the noose. Limitation of advertising of these companies should also be suggested.We should not allow too much advert dominace on these digital platforms.Their should be a limit as to how much they can allowed to share adverts.
Share of data to small companies should also be a priority.If these tech giants share some data with other small players they have a chance for market share too.Interporebility of data should be a key component especially to social media platforms when trying to reduce monopolisation.Sharing of data reduces dominance. A drift into small players gaining a piece of pie in the tech industry leads to better levels of competition.
Conclusion
We can clearly conclude that monopolization will continue if government systems all over the world do not put up stringent policies to curb the process.For a systematic pursuit, all companies should be given a fair share gain in the market. Future should not be determined by a few jargons in the market. As it is the nature of history to repeat itself, monopolies should be broken and global collaboration should come into play.
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