If you haven’t completed your company’s digital transformation yet, would be the perfect year to make that change happen.
Digital transformations are easier, more personalized and more affordable to carry out than ever before. In addition, new trends are emerging and these will potentially simplify the process even further. So, what is a digital transformation going to look like? Here are some of the most important trends and opportunities to consider.
Digital Transformation: The Importance of Customer Data Platforms
According to Forbes, the importance of customer data platforms (CDP) will be very high.
CDP solutions aim to bring together comprehensive and reliable data about clients. Until recently, companies relied on scattered information collected from a multitude of sources. In the absence of a comprehensive and data-backed client profile, some businesses found themselves incapable of offering an optimal service.
Cloud-based solutions and effortless software integration will both facilitate more thorough customer data collection in the years to come. The aim of these platforms is to automate the collection, sorting and analysis of analytical data from as many sources as possible. Using CDP reduces the risk of errors and also enables the inclusion of many additional data sources to make big data readily accessible.
Better and More Accessible Automation
This point is connected to the previous one but automation doesn’t pertain just to customer data collection.
Until recently, the automation of repetitive and monotonous tasks did not seem like a readily accessible opportunity for all businesses.
Luckily, such technologies have become much more affordable and scalable (just like most other hi-tech corporate solutions).
Digital document management provides just one example of how far automation has gone. Even the simplest document management platforms enable the creation of workflows and sequences of operations aimed at reducing the burden on employees.
When workers are free from having to handle mundane tasks, they can focus on much more strategic processes. Eventually, automation can contribute to higher productivity, increased effectiveness and maximized revenue generation potential.
A Focus on Data Privacy
The remote workplace is becoming an increasingly common practice due to the new realities posed by challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic. This means that employees are accessing sensitive data from remote locations and devices that haven’t always been safety tested.
A focus on data privacy will have a heavy effect on digital transformation practices.
Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of their rights and the obligations that businesses have towards protecting their information. As a result, clients will potentially become much more demanding in terms of safeguard utilization.
Data safety will also be important in terms of preventing serious losses. Businesses continue experiencing data breaches today, some of which jeopardize their very existence. With so many data privacy solutions and functionalities on the marketplace, there’s really no excuse to ignore this vital trend.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
The platforms and solutions that make up the digital workplace today are becoming more intelligent than ever before.
Just like automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning will become a normal part of the work day in and beyond. In fact, many companies are already relying on the incredible power and the intuitive intelligence of such solutions.
Virtual personal assistants like Siri and Alexa provide an example of how machine learning has already become a part of everyday life. They acquire more and more information with every single interaction, which increases the relevance and adequacy of the “assistance” provided by these software products.
AI and machine learning have a wide range of applications in the digital workplace. From computerized customer chat management to digital asset management and even marketing campaign execution, AI should at least be considered as a possibility.
Internet of Things (IoT) Solutions
IoT isn’t a new concept but it’s becoming more important by the day.
Generally speaking, IoT refers to a network of devices that come with enabled data connectivity. From smartphones to wearable gadgets and even office climate control tools, IoT will enable easier adjustments, data collection on the go and an integrated employee experience.
IoT can be applied to so many aspects of running a business – office security, data collection and analysis, industrial processes, environmental control, ensuring global connectivity, etc. Smart gadgets are here to stay and to impact just about every aspect of life and work. It’s time to consider the addition of some IoT solutions to business practices, especially if you want to give workers flexibility and a higher level of control.
Going on the Cloud
We have been talking about the importance of cloud computing for some time already. It is our firm belief that cloud computing will rank as one of the key digital transformation trends.
Going on the cloud reduces the expenses associated to maintaining hardware at the office.
Not only that, cloud computing is more scalable and more affordable. It reduces the risk of disruption whenever a company has to scale up or down. In addition, cloud computing eliminates some of the most common risks and challenges related to maintaining extensive hardware infrastructure at a corporate venue.
These are just some of the possibilities and tendencies to consider when carrying out your digital transformation. Technology is evolving rapidly and we will possibly see an array of additional changes in the coming year. If you have a good understanding of your current tech infrastructure and your company’s specific needs, however, you’ll find it fairly easy to keep on evolving.