--- title: A Reflection on 2020 and a Vision for 2021 description: Based on Telaid's work with customers, here are three lessons learned in 2020 and three predictions for 2021. --- [![Telaid%](https://blog.telaid.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Telaid%20-Aug2017/Images/logo.png?width=168&height=35&name=logo.png "logo.png")](https://www.telaid.com/) - [PODCAST](https://www.telaid.com/podcast/) - [RESOURCES](https://www.telaid.com/company/resources/) - [BLOG](https://blog.telaid.com/blog) - [Why Telaid](https://www.telaid.com/why-telaid/) - - [Why Telaid](https://www.telaid.com/why-telaid/) - [Technology Partners](https://www.telaid.com/why-telaid/technology-partners/) - [People, Process and Tools](https://www.telaid.com/why-telaid/people-process-and-tools/) - [Technology Solutions Center](https://www.telaid.com/why-telaid/technology-solution-center/) - [BICSI Training](https://www.telaid.com/why-telaid/bicsi-training/) - [Solutions](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/) - - [Solutions](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/) - [DeviceWatch](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/devicewatch/) - [Retail Automation](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/retail-automation/) - [Technology Lifecycle Solutions](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/technology-lifecycle-solutions/) - [Technology Deployments](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/technology-deployments/) - [Physical Security](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/physical-security/) - [Wireless](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/wireless/) - [Interactive Solutions](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/interactive-solutions/) - [Point of Sale (POS)](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/point-of-sale/) - [Workforce Device Management](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/workforce-device-management/) - [Case Studies](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/case-studies/) - [Resources](https://www.telaid.com/company/resources/) - [Services](https://www.telaid.com/services/) - - [Services](https://www.telaid.com/services/) - [Managed Services](https://www.telaid.com/services/managed-services/) - [Project Management Organization](https://www.telaid.com/services/project-management-organization/) - [Integration and Deployment](https://www.telaid.com/services/integration-and-deployment/) - [Day 2 Services](https://www.telaid.com/services/day-two-services/) - [Industries](https://www.telaid.com/industries/) - - [Industries](https://www.telaid.com/industries/) - [Retail](https://www.telaid.com/industries/retail/) - [Logistics](https://www.telaid.com/industries/logistics/) - [Finance](https://www.telaid.com/industries/finance/) - [Healthcare](https://www.telaid.com/industries/healthcare/) - [QSR](https://www.telaid.com/industries/qsr/) - [Grocery](https://www.telaid.com/industries/grocery/) - [Convenience](https://www.telaid.com/industries/convenience/) - [Company](https://www.telaid.com/company/) - - [Company](https://www.telaid.com/company/) - [Team](https://www.telaid.com/company#Team) - [Labor Partners](https://www.telaid.com/company/partners/) - [News & Events](https://www.telaid.com/company/news-events/) - [Community Engagement](https://www.telaid.com/company/community-engagement/) - [Careers](https://www.telaid.com/company/careers/) - [Blog](https://blog.telaid.com/blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.telaid.com/company/contact-us/) [![Contact Us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3454475/92d5f75f-e3df-4380-9163-746c0c54d2ee.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3454475/92d5f75f-e3df-4380-9163-746c0c54d2ee) #### Call Us We are happy to discuss your business challenges over the phone and answer any questions you have about us. Sales: [+1-800-205-5556](tel:+1-800-205-5556) Service/Support: [+1-866-566-4295](tel:+1-866-566-4295) Technology Lifecycle Solutions For Multi-Site Clients™ - [RESOURCES](https://www.telaid.com/company/resources/) - [BLOG](https://blog.telaid.com/blog) - [SUCCESS STORIES](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/success-stories/) [![Telaid%](https://blog.telaid.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Telaid%20-Aug2017/Images/logo.png?width=168&height=35&name=logo.png "logo.png")](https://www.telaid.com/) - [Why Telaid](https://www.telaid.com/why-telaid/) - - [Why Telaid](https://www.telaid.com/why-telaid/) - [Technology Partners](https://www.telaid.com/why-telaid/technology-partners/) - [People, Process and Tools](https://www.telaid.com/why-telaid/people-process-and-tools/) - [Technology Solutions Center](https://www.telaid.com/why-telaid/technology-solution-center/) - [BICSI Training](https://www.telaid.com/why-telaid/bicsi-training/) - [Solutions](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/) - - [Solutions](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/) - [DeviceWatch](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/devicewatch/) - [Retail Automation](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/retail-automation/) - [Technology Lifecycle Solutions](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/technology-lifecycle-solutions/) - [Technology Deployments](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/technology-deployments/) - [Physical Security](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/physical-security/) - [Wireless](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/wireless/) - [Interactive Solutions](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/interactive-solutions/) - [Point of Sale (POS)](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/point-of-sale/) - [Workforce Device Management](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/workforce-device-management/) - [Case Studies](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/case-studies/) - [Resources](https://www.telaid.com/company/resources/) - [Services](https://www.telaid.com/services/) - - [Services](https://www.telaid.com/services/) - [Managed Services](https://www.telaid.com/services/managed-services/) - [Project Management Organization](https://www.telaid.com/services/project-management-organization/) - [Integration and Deployment](https://www.telaid.com/services/integration-and-deployment/) - [Day 2 Services](https://www.telaid.com/services/day-two-services/) - [Industries](https://www.telaid.com/industries/) - - [Industries](https://www.telaid.com/industries/) - [Retail](https://www.telaid.com/industries/retail/) - [Logistics](https://www.telaid.com/industries/logistics/) - [Finance](https://www.telaid.com/industries/finance/) - [Healthcare](https://www.telaid.com/industries/healthcare/) - [QSR](https://www.telaid.com/industries/qsr/) - [Grocery](https://www.telaid.com/industries/grocery/) - [Convenience](https://www.telaid.com/industries/convenience/) - [Company](https://www.telaid.com/company/) - - [Company](https://www.telaid.com/company/) - [Team](https://www.telaid.com/company#Team) - [Labor Partners](https://www.telaid.com/company/partners/) - [News & Events](https://www.telaid.com/company/news-events/) - [Community Engagement](https://www.telaid.com/company/community-engagement/) - [Careers](https://www.telaid.com/company/careers/) - [Blog](https://blog.telaid.com/blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.telaid.com/company/contact-us/) ## Telaid Blog - [![Return to Homepage](https://blog.telaid.com/hubfs/Telaid%20-Aug2017/Images/crumb-home-1.png "Return to Homepage")](https://www.telaid.com/) - [Company](https://www.telaid.com/company/) - > - Telaid Blog - [![Return to Homepage](https://blog.telaid.com/hubfs/Telaid%20-Aug2017/Images/crumb-home-1.png "Return to Homepage")](https://www.telaid.com/) - [Telaid Blog](https://blog.telaid.com/blog) - > - A Reflection on 2020 and a Vision for 2021 ## Telaid Blog [Digital Transformation](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/digital-transformation) # A Reflection on 2020 and a Vision for 2021 ![Team Telaid](https://blog.telaid.com/hubfs/team-telaid.png) 29 December, 2020 by [Team Telaid](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/author/telaid) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://blog.telaid.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Icons/social-linkedin.png?width=24&name=social-linkedin.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.telaid.com%2Fblog%2Fa-reflection-on-2020-and-a-vision-for-2021%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://blog.telaid.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Icons/social-twitter.png?width=24&name=social-twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.telaid.com%2Fblog%2Fa-reflection-on-2020-and-a-vision-for-2021%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.telaid.com%2Fblog%2Fa-reflection-on-2020-and-a-vision-for-2021%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=A%20Reflection%20on%202020%20and%20a%20Vision%20for%202021) [![Share on Email](https://blog.telaid.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Icons/social-email.png?width=24&name=social-email.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.telaid.com%2Fblog%2Fa-reflection-on-2020-and-a-vision-for-2021%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.telaid.com%2Fblog%2Fa-reflection-on-2020-and-a-vision-for-2021%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ![2021image](https://blog.telaid.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2021image.jpg?width=300&name=2021image.jpg) As the year draws to a close, we can’t help but reflect on both the good and bad that has come out of this very strange year. Confronted with unexpected new challenges presented by a global pandemic, we helped our customers reconfigure operations for double-digit growth in curbside and delivery, upgrade to contactless technologies and deploy interactive technologies to communicate with consumers. We overcame field labor challenges due to illness and reconfigured our own operation to accommodate remote working. None of this was easy, but we learned a lot and know that both Telaid and our customers’ businesses are stronger and more agile as a result. Here are three overarching “lessons learned” based on our work with clients in 2020. 1. **Technology is critical to survival** – Technology is critical to survival in quickly evolving times. This point was clearly made in the midst of COVID-19. 2. **Consumers are changing** - From contactless payment to interactive communication technologies, consumers have become increasingly comfortable with kiosks, mobile payments and digital signage. 3. **Go omnichannel or go home** – Never before has there been such a dramatic and sudden shift in the ways people live, shop and work. Agility to perform in multiple channels is critical. As we close in on the last few days of 2020, our sights turn toward 2021. Based on what we’ve seen in 2020, we predict that 2021 will be another year of significant change and advancements with the following trends guiding decision-making. 1. **Expect the unexpected** – Based on the shock delivered by COVID-19, companies will be focused from here on out on expecting the unexpected. Systems that support contingency planning, redundancy and agility will be prioritized. 2. **Move to robotics** – Automation will be key to unlocking the next level of efficiency. From back-of-the-house automation to front end customer service, we expect robotics to take on new life. 3. **Increased collaboration** – 2020 was the year of collaboration with healthcare, pharmaceutical companies, private enterprises and common citizens jumping in on the fight against COVID-19. Increasingly, companies will desire greater levels of problem-solving collaboration with their partners and providers. We look forward to the next chapter in technology advancement and are hopeful for a truly game-changing 2021. Happy New Year! [Previous Future-State Grocery Shopping: What it Demands and How To Get There](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/future-state-grocery-shopping-what-it-demands-and-how-to-get-there) [Next Tips for Successfully Embarking on the Journey to Evolving Retail in 2021](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tips-for-successfully-embarking-on-the-journey-to-evolving-retail-2021) ### Stay Informed with Telaid News ### Recent ### Categories - [![Notes from the Road](https://blog.telaid.com/hubfs/Blog%20Icons/tag-nftr.png)Notes from the Road](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/notes-from-the-road) - [![Retail](https://blog.telaid.com/hubfs/Blog%20Icons/tag-retail.png)Retail](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/retail) - [![Logistics](https://blog.telaid.com/hubfs/Blog%20Icons/tag-logistics.png)Logistics](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/logistics) - [![Healthcare](https://blog.telaid.com/hubfs/Blog%20Icons/tag-healthcare.png)Healthcare](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/healthcare) - [![Physical Security](https://blog.telaid.com/hubfs/Blog%20Icons/tag-security.png)Physical Security](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/physical-security) - [![Wireless](https://blog.telaid.com/hubfs/Blog%20Icons/tag-wireless.png)Wireless](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/wireless) - [![Internet of Things](https://blog.telaid.com/hubfs/Blog%20Icons/tag-iot.png)IoT](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/iot) ### Topics - [Retail (79)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/retail) - [Digital Transformation (49)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/digital-transformation) - [Technology Integration (43)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/technology-integration) - [Physical Security (30)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/physical-security) - [customer experience (26)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/customer-experience) - [Loss Prevention (24)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/loss-prevention) - [AI (22)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/ai) - [IoT (18)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/iot) - [QSR (18)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/qsr) - [Managed Services (12)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/managed-services) - [Artificial Intelligence (11)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/artificial-intelligence) - [Rapid Deployment (10)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/rapid-deployment) - [grocery (10)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/grocery) - [IP Video (9)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/ip-video) - [Wireless (9)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/wireless) - [COVID-19 (8)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/covid-19) - [Infrastructure (7)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/infrastructure) - [Interactive (7)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/interactive) - [automation (6)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/automation) - [retail technology (6)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/retail-technology) - [Logistics (5)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/logistics) - [Telaid Turns 40 (5)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/telaid-turns-40) - [Big Data (4)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/big-data) - [C-stores (4)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/c-stores) - [Site Survey (3)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/site-survey) - [Telaid Tech Connect Podcast (3)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/telaid-tech-connect-podcast) - [distribution centers (3)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/distribution-centers) - [technology deployments (3)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/technology-deployments) - [Executive Buy-In (2)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/executive-buy-in) - [Franchises (2)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/franchises) - [Healthcare (2)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/healthcare) - [NRF (2)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/nrf) - [POS (2)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/pos) - [Vision AI (2)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/vision-ai) - [convenience stores (2)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/convenience-stores) - [device repair (2)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/device-repair) - [Hardware (1)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/hardware) - [LPRC (1)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/lprc) - [Notes from the Road (1)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/notes-from-the-road) - [People and Culture (1)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/people-and-culture) - [RFID (1)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/rfid) - [RILA (1)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/rila) - [ServiceNow (1)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/servicenow) - [Workforce device management (1)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/workforce-device-management) - [autonomous checkout (1)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/autonomous-checkout) - [click-and-collect units (1)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/click-and-collect-units) - [computer vision (1)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/computer-vision) - [self-checkout (1)](https://blog.telaid.com/blog/tag/self-checkout) ![Debunk the Myths about Retail](https://blog.telaid.com/hubfs/Telaid%20-Aug2017/Images/cardimage-myths-1.png "Debunk the Myths about Retail") [Debunk the Myths about Retail](https://www.telaid.com/news/myths-about-retail/) ##### Telaid Telaid has a consistent track record of delivering even the most complex technology projects on time and on budget. For more than 40 years, technology integrator, Telaid has served its clients by deploying excellence and exceeding expectations. Flexible and resourceful, Telaid is a single provider of rapid deployments, cradle-to-grave technology solutions, wireless and physical security. - [Solutions](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/) - [DeviceWatch](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/devicewatch/) - [Retail Automation](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/retail-automation/) - [Technology Deployments](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/technology-deployments/) - [Technology Lifecycle Solutions](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/technology-lifecycle-solutions/) - [Physical Security](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/physical-security/) - [Wireless](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/wireless/) - [Interactive Solutions](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/interactive-solutions/) - [Point of Sale (POS)](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/point-of-sale/) - [Workforce Device Management](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/workforce-device-management/) - [Case Studies](https://www.telaid.com/solutions/case-studies/) - [Resources](https://www.telaid.com/company/resources/) - [Industries](https://www.telaid.com/industries/) - [Retail](https://www.telaid.com/industries/retail/) - [Logistics](https://www.telaid.com/industries/logistics/) - [Finance](https://www.telaid.com/industries/finance/) - [Healthcare](https://www.telaid.com/industries/healthcare/) - [QSR](https://www.telaid.com/industries/qsr/) - [Grocery](https://www.telaid.com/industries/grocery/) - [Convenience](https://www.telaid.com/industries/convenience/) - [Company](https://www.telaid.com/company/) - [Our Story](https://www.telaid.com/company/) - [Team](https://www.telaid.com/company#Team) - [Labor Partners](https://www.telaid.com/company/partners/) - [BICSI Training](https://www.telaid.com/why-telaid/bicsi-training/) - [News & Events](https://www.telaid.com/company/news-events/) - [Community Engagement](https://www.telaid.com/company/community-engagement/) - [Careers](https://www.telaid.com/company/careers/) - [Blog](https://blog.telaid.com/blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.telaid.com/company/contact-us/) #### Questions? [Email](mailto:info@telaid.com) Copyright © Telaid. All Rights Reserved. [Privacy Policy](https://www.telaid.com/privacy-policy/)