Dell Technologies World is one of the most highly anticipated events for anyone in tech. The 2023 event in Las Vegas in May was no exception. The event confirmed that the rapidly evolving world of tech continues to forge ahead, driven by innovation and a global appetite for digital transformation and its corresponding products and services. The trend continues to be fueled by changes in the labor market, with highly experienced workers moving into new careers or retirement, the emergence of novel business models and products, and the convergence of IT and OT.

The common thread of the related digital transformation applications, from Industry 4.0 to Smart Cities, is the need to mitigate risks, reduce costs, and enhance revenues – all of which present challenges for businesses that we at Arrow are well equipped to manage. The event got me reflecting on how Arrow’s uniqueness and capabilities help customers move through new realities and renew the value they bring to the marketplace.

The adoption of Industry 4.0, Smart Retail, and Smart Cities applications and the demand for complementary products and services have experienced a remarkable acceleration over the past three years. Technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, the Internet of Things, and edge computing have been fundamental enablers in connecting, automating, and evolving the intelligence of devices and processes and ultimately unlocking the full potential of digital transformation. However, navigating through the digital landscape does present its challenges.

Supporting customers on their digital journey, mainly digitally transforming their businesses, is a big step that requires relentless commitment. It is not just the customer’s organization that commits to this evolution; their chosen business alliances must have a significant responsibility to lead the transition and help move the business to a place where it can leverage connectivity and advanced technologies to drive improvement, transformation, and increased revenue.

Digital transformation journeys are not new to us at Arrow. We have been on this journey with many customers, each with unique challenges. However, with their vision, our experience, and the backing of our technology suppliers like Intel and Dell Technologies, we have seen some truly remarkable results.

Our approach to customer success is one built on a sound strategy and unwavering commitment on all fronts. Fundamentally, we take a dual-focused approach of Get-to-Market and Go-to-Market. In the Get-to-Market phase, we support original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and system integrators (Sis) with Industry 4.0 products prioritizing long lifespan, revision control, and specific environmental features. On the other hand, in the Go-to-Market phase, we extend our support to Sis by offering a wide range of services encompassing hardware, OT cybersecurity, software, and more.

By addressing the unique needs of both stages, we ensure comprehensive support throughout the entire product development and deployment process, enabling our customers to capitalize on the opportunities presented by these applications effectively. Even in a challenging market landscape, we continue to prioritize actions that have proven successful for our customers, developing differentiation in services and market approaches to create unique value propositions.

Our focus remains on fostering innovation internally and in collaboration with our customers by continuously challenging the status quo and seeking fresh ideas and creative solutions, aiming to keep our customers ahead of the curve and adapt to achieve success in changing market dynamics.

One of the ways we do this is through the close relationships we have forged with our technology suppliers, including Dell Technologies and Intel. Through our commitment to these relationships, we benefit from direct access to valuable resources, knowledge, and support. This collaborative approach enhances our ability to overcome challenges for our customers and provide them with the best possible value-added solutions.

Read more about how Arrow and Dell work together to help companies transform their digital infrastructure, drive innovation, and embrace the next generation of the digital era. 

About the author

Brad Svoboda

Director, Supplier Alliances

Brad Svoboda leads all supplier businesses for Arrow's Intelligent Solutions business in the Americas.

As Director of Supplier Alliances, Brad is responsible for recruiting and building strategic alliances with the world's foremost technology companies. He and his team develop industry-leading go-to-market strategies that help position Arrow Electronics as a world-class solution provider.

Joining Arrow Electronics in 2004, Brad has held roles in Sales, Sales Management, Business Development, and Marketing.

Brad is married and has a son in college. He enjoys traveling, spending time in the outdoors, and working on his family ranch in Wyoming.