The coronavirus pandemic has had a notable effect on the economy as a whole and on businesses as individual entities. Massive losses have been registered and unemployment figures climbed to levels reminiscent of those noted during the financial crisis of 2007-2008.
Still, not all effects have been negative. Covid-19 has pushed many companies into implementing and adopting a business digital transformation in a way they wouldn’t have prior to the global pandemic.
New challenges and realities have forced entrepreneurs and managers to be quick on their feet. Social distancing measures and lockdowns prevented many enterprises from operating in their traditional, well-established way. Luckily, new technologies have come to the rescue, enabling operations to resume in a modified way.
Remote Work Becoming the New Normal
Through a business digital transformation, various companies have managed to turn remote work into the normal way of getting a job done.
Numerous companies have also announced plans to turn remote work and more flexible scheduling into a permanent routine. Both Facebook and Google have jumped on the bandwagon, announcing plans for office rotations and telecommuting at least until the end of the year.
Online document management has made such flexibility possible for both big and small companies. Adding cloud-based solutions to the mix also simplifies the process of enabling workers to perform from an array of locations.
Better Products, Better Services
Businesses that operate in an actual physical spaces like supermarkets and restaurants have suffered incredible losses as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Others, however, have discovered opportunities to strengthen their products and services through a business digital transformation.
According to an extensive report titled Impact of Covid-19 on Digital Transformation and Sustainability in Small and Medium Enterprises, the pandemic should in no way be viewed as a threat. Rather, it provides opportunities to accelerate the introduction of innovative solutions aimed at guaranteeing customer satisfaction.
Many businesses have started implementing online ordering, product deliveries, online consultations, and scheduling.
Clients in today’s world are looking for immediacy and personalization. When a business gets to respond to these needs, especially in a time of crisis, that business can establish its solid position for the future. While the coronavirus pandemic is getting many company owners to worry about the future, more entrepreneurial individuals are seeing all of the incredible market capitalization opportunities that are stemming from the changes and the new challenges.
The Covid-19 Business Digital Transformation: More Companies Ready to Embrace the Cloud
It’s also interesting to point out how the pandemic has affected the way in which many business owners perceive innovative solutions.
In the UK, for example, only 25 percent of the respondents in a pre-Covid-19 survey recognized the importance of cloud-based solutions for their digital transformation. Following lockdown measures, 93 percent of respondents confirm that their company already utilizes some kind of cloud-based solution.
Other reports paint a similar picture, showing just how much the pandemic has accelerated the adoption of cloud solutions. A global survey presented in Computer Weekly magazine shows that 82 percent of respondents have ramped up their use of the cloud as a direct consequence of the pandemic.
Cloud-based document storage and management are two of the most obvious ways to embrace such technologies but they’re not the only ones. From cloud-based accounting systems to HR management, these tools enable businesses to maintain a sense of normalcy and continuity during an extraordinary situation.
Quicker Adoption Than Ever Before
To ensure the survival of their business, many entrepreneurs have been forced to make the switch to digital operations over the span of just several days.
Such initiatives have proven one crucial thing – a business digital transformation is easy to accomplish with minimal disruption. When the longevity of a company is threatened, new technologies come to the rescue. Cloud-based solutions allow for quick implementation with minimal downtime. There’s also no steep learning curve, meaning that employees can reach optimal efficiency within a short period of time.
While it’s been proven that a digital transformation doesn’t have to be complicated and resource-intensive, it’s still a journey that companies need to embark on carefully.
There are dozens of solutions and customization options out there. While crises call for rapid measures, it’s still a good idea to have a digital transformation strategy in place before looking for specific tech solutions or adopting those.
Most businesses can create their own custom workflows and processes that will result in the highest possible level of efficiency. The market has a lot to offer which is great but making choices can also become overwhelming.
If you haven’t completed a business digital transformation yet, you’re missing out on an amazing chance to save money, enhance processes and even boost employee engagement. Covid-19 has shown us all that such a transformation can be completed in a matter of days. Don’t hesitate to explore the possibilities, even if you’re not ready to make a comprehensive switch yet. Even a few improvements and digital changes can help you experience the benefits that will push you for a more thorough optimization in the future.