DSI is Enabling Innovation to Compete in The Digital Economy | Innovation Bridge
Enabling Growth in the Digital Industry with Local Innovation.
The digital landscape is continually changing, with new advancements occurring daily. There’s no shortage of remarkable ideas or people. What is needed is the ability to tap into local innovations so they can be used to open new economies, scale businesses, drive efficiencies, improve speed to market, reduce costs and compete internationally.
At the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), we leverage the digital economy to build and grow our country. We support multiple market sectors by providing access to earth observation data to inform decision-making. We enable innovation with supercomputing capabilities, high-speed networks and technical support to fast-track research and making it more accurate and reliable. Through partnerships, we connect isolated communities to reliable and affordable internet, enabling a more productive workplace.
The Importance of a Strong Digital Economy.
The global economy is undergoing massive, accelerated digital transformation, resulting in the creation of new business models, innovative products and services and fundamentally different ways of conducting business.
Smartphone apps have spurred the growth of the internet economy, with goods and services increasingly delivered via online platforms. Consumer spending is progressively shifting towards online sales.
Digital IT solutions are replacing hardware and data has become a valuable currency in this new digital age. The digital economy is experiencing exponential growth every year and this trend is expected to continue at an accelerated rate into the future.
It is imperative that South Africa not only participates in this digital economy but also leverages innovation and technology to deliver significant benefits to its people, businesses and economy.
Key Features of a Digital Economy Include:
Internet-powered:
The internet propels the digital economy, connecting organizations to new markets.
World-encompassing:
Geographical boundaries no longer limit businesses. The ease of global interconnection enables businesses to reach new markets and better serve existing customers.
Always-on:
E-commerce enables businesses to operate 24/7.
Fast-paced:
The digital economy moves swiftly, underscoring the importance for companies to keep pace.
Data-driven:
Utilising data and analytics, businesses can make more informed decisions regarding the products they offer and the marketing strategies they employ.
Competitive:
Competition is fierce. Companies are increasingly attuned to consumer preferences, providing them with more options.
Innovations and Partnerships Driving Growth in the Digital Industry.
Collaboration and partnership are at the core of all great advancements. At the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), we engage with innovative and ambitious minds to facilitate socio-economic development in our country. We provide leadership, create an enabling environment and allocate resources for science, technology and innovation through various programs and partnerships.
There is a recognition of prior learning programme for traditional practitioners, which will make it easier to move between formal and long-held indigenous knowledge. The Department believes that it is vital for South Africa to recognise the value its rich heritage and allow communities to benefit from commercialising the wisdom of their forebears.
- CSIR / NICIS
- Stone Three
- CSIR / TVWS
- SANSA
CSIR / NICIS: Computing Capabilities to Accelerate Innovation Research and Enhance Accuracy.
Data, and its effective management, are pivotal for a robust and sustainable future. The National Integrated Cyber Infrastructure System (NICIS) offers supercomputing capabilities that ensure participation in the global economy and the ability to maintain competitiveness in key industries.
Through their facilities, CSIR / NICIS provides businesses and scientific institutes with high-performance computing capability, high-speed network capacity and a national research data infrastructure. These resources significantly shorten the time required for innovation and enhance result accuracy. Their high-speed broadband connects research institutions, while their data-intensive research services, including data analytics and curation, transform big data into a valuable asset.
Data influences sectors across the spectrum. Whether you're in the science and engineering community, representing a university, science council, or operating in industries such as engineering, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, mining, or telecommunications, explore more about CSIR / NICIS to leverage these capabilities.
Stone Three: AI Technology for Safer, Healthier and More Productive Work Environments.
The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) collaborates with Stone Three to enhance workplace productivity using machine learning technology and process optimisation, with a focus on occupational health and safety in complex mining environments.
Stone Three is an industrial 4.0 IoT company that combines expert services with advanced machine learning technology to help businesses increase operational productivity while ensuring the safety, happiness and health of their workforce.
The company utilizes its technology to develop sustainable solutions for recurring challenges in key global industries such as mining, manufacturing and healthcare. Industries seeking to enhance operational productivity, health and safety standards and employee performance can visit innovationbridge.info to learn more.
CSIR / TVWS: Connecting and Empowering Communities with TV White Space Technology.
In the modern world, reliable and convenient internet access is indispensable for both daily life and work. However, reaching isolated areas across the country poses significant challenges. Television White Space (TVWS) technology emerges as an ideal solution for delivering long-range, affordable broadband wireless internet connectivity to underserved, unserved and hard-to-reach communities.
TVWS technology can provide internet speeds of up to 100 Mbit/s, facilitating the deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) networks and applications. The Spectrum Switch, developed collaboratively by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), enables the utilisation of this technology.
Deploying TVWS in rural locations has the potential to stimulate employment and foster small business development.
SANSA: Earth Observation Data Empowering Decision-Making for a Better World.
Space science encompasses not only the exploration of distant worlds but also the observation of our own planet to enhance its well-being for humanity. The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) offers access to products and services including earth observation, space science, communication and navigation. These services cater to diverse stakeholders across various sectors. Our data applications aid in forecasting, informing policymaking and facilitating decision-making to support socio-economic growth in South Africa.
A broad spectrum of sectors stands to benefit from our work. Whether you're involved in communication, navigation, aviation, weather forecasting, human settlement, agriculture, energy, security or beyond, explore how SANSA's offerings can assist you by clicking here.
How to Access Local Innovation and Compete in the Digital Economy.
The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) has launched an initiative promoting local digital innovations in AI, big data services such as high-speed computing and network capability and access to Earth observation data.
This initiative will have a positive impact on the growing digital capability and align with the national digital transformation strategy. To learn more, visit innovation.bridge.info and meet the project leaders.
Department of Science and Innovation
Making sure it’s possible.