MUMBAI: The buzzword dominating the industry in 2024 is undoubtedly artificial intelligence (AI). Whether or not it’s being fully adopted across the board remains a topic of debate, but one thing is clear: AI’s potential to revolutionise workflows and deliver efficiencies is captivating business leaders everywhere.
But amidst the excitement, are we overlooking something essential?
Sure, AI might one day butter our toast and tie our shoelaces, but before we dive headfirst into complex AI models and cutting-edge algorithms, we should step back and consider whether the core infrastructure of our businesses is ready to support these advancements as we move into 2025.
The Distinction Between automation and AI
Because of the hype around AI and generative AI in 2024 and the bizarre valuations and market capitalisation that companies are getting just by mentioning AI in their mission statement, it’s important to clarify now as we are moving into 2025 what we mean when we talk about AI.
Much of what is often labeled AI is really advanced automation—technology that eliminates repetitive, manual tasks and introduces efficiency to workflows. Take, for example, the ability to automatically extract and organise metadata from content files, making them searchable without manual data entry.
True AI, on the other hand, ventures into areas like object recognition, natural language understanding, and predictive analytics. While these capabilities are impressive, they often require significant investment in training and fine-tuning to produce meaningful results. Even then, they may not deliver the expected benefits if the system is working with incomplete or poorly organised data.
The archive: a neglected core asset; pay heed to it in 2025
Here’s the crux of the matter: no AI model, no matter how intelligent, can be effective without a solid foundation. That foundation is your archive.
All too often, businesses rely on outdated or fragmented storage solutions—an array of drives, legacy systems, or LTO tape setups that were never designed to handle the demands of today’s workflows. Even those who’ve embraced cloud solutions may find themselves hindered by unexpected costs, such as prohibitive fees for accessing and retrieving data during AI-driven searches.
Without an effective archive platform, the very content you want to leverage may be disorganised, inaccessible, or prohibitively expensive to use.
Investing in the right foundations; 2025 is the year to begin
To truly harness the potential of AI—or even simpler workflow automation—organisations need to prioritise modernising their storage and archive platforms. This doesn’t mean discarding everything and starting over; rather, it’s about adopting solutions that integrate with existing systems while offering the scalability and efficiency required for future growth.
A modern archive platform serves as an active repository, enabling seamless access to your media and providing the tools to:
* Automate workflows.
* Quickly locate and retrieve content.
* Share assets effortlessly with partners and clients.
Such platforms aren’t just about storage—they unlock the potential for monetisation, turning your archive from a static cost center into a dynamic business asset.
Overcoming challenges to change; back to the drawing board in the new year
The two greatest obstacles to modernising archives are budget and mindset. While technology providers have become increasingly flexible in their pricing models—offering cost-effective, private-cloud solutions that organisations can host and control—resistance to change often proves harder to overcome.
Rethinking long-established workflows and processes can be uncomfortable but standing still in a fast-evolving industry risks falling behind. Adopting modern storage solutions isn’t just about saving money; it’s about enabling greater efficiency and creating new revenue opportunities.
Building for the future; not just for 2025
In the rush to embrace AI and other advanced technologies, let’s not forget the importance of laying a strong foundation as we move into 2025. An optimised archive platform isn’t just a storage solution—it’s the backbone of your operations, enabling you to take full advantage of innovations like AI when the time is right. That means being ready with your tech stack which is upgradable and scalable in future.
So, before we sprint into the AI-driven future, let’s ensure we’ve built the solid infrastructure we need to thrive. After all, there’s no point decorating the house if the foundation isn’t sound.
By focusing on the basics—organising, protecting, and making your content accessible—you’ll not only prepare your business for the next wave of innovation but ensure you’re maximising the value of your assets today.
Peter Watling is Perifery senior sales director – EMEA .
