How Will Digital Transformation Shape the Future?

Digital transformation involves adopting and implementing digital technology to build competitive advantage, enhance customer experience, lower costs, and optimise the workforce. Digital transformation trends significantly influence the industrial landscape and are at the forefront for businesses. According to Deloitte’s research, 74% of UK businesses and technology leaders consider data transformation as, “the single most important investment now and into the future that organisations can make to drive enterprise value”. By implementing products such as process automation, active tech equipment, cloud migration, and connectivity, companies can prepare themselves for an ever-evolving workplace.

This blog outlines how digital transformation will shape the future workplace covering three key areas:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Tackle the IT Skills Shortage
• Internet of Things (IoT) All Around Us
• Everything as a Service (XaaS) Over Internal Solutions

AI to Tackle the IT Skills Shortage

ONS data revealed that nearly one-third of the UK businesses face labour shortages after an increase in economic activity post-pandemic. This challenge hinders companies’ goals to digitally transform and elevate their technology. However, AI can address this issue by automating processes, such as converting paper forms to digital formats. This streamlines tasks, allowing them to be completed more efficiently and rapidly, which in turn enables more effective allocation of company resources.

Furthermore, AI-driven algorithms will enable businesses to create highly personalised customer experiences. E-commerce platforms will suggest products based on individual preferences and provide tailored customer support through customer portals. Ultimately, it will lead to increases in customer loyalty and retention, positive word-of-mouth and higher profits.

IoT All Around Us

Previously, IoT was all about connecting devices. Now, it involves integrating digital technologies, building networks and systems that exchange data and offer seamless operations across the business at unprecedented speeds. By enabling real-time data gathering and analysis, IoT optimises business processes, generate new revenue streams and develop innovative business models.

IoT will become the core function of the business, allowing all employees to stay updated on business operations and supply chains. The increased connectivity along with reduced information transfer times, execution of tasks will mitigate any miscommunication issues.  Moreover, IoT devices can be attached to equipment to act like sensors and be a massive opportunity for the manufacturing industry in production flows.

XaaS Over Internal Solutions

XaaS means that many things that were only products have now become services. It is described as a general category of services related to cloud computing and remote access. Conversely, companies are increasingly moving away from enhancing staff skills or hiring new employees towards using external cloud applications and services provided by third parties. The XaaS approach offers numerous advantages, including financial benefits, accelerated productivity and greater flexibility. Simultaneously, eliminating the need to developing and maintaining in-house solutions.

Furthermore, since COVID-19, remote working has become the norm for many employees, businesses must support this transition with the right resources and facilities to maintain consistent work ethic. Cloud computing and cloud migration are essential in this context, as it will enable IT systems to be more flexible, scalable and cost-efficient. Without a doubt, COVID-19 has accelerated the need for digital transformation and taught us that we need to be prepared for the unexpected.

Final Thoughts

As we prepare for the future, it is inevitable that digital transformation will continue to drive force behind business innovation. Businesses are rapidly changing to adapt to the shifting consumer preferences and increasing employee efficiency is fundamental to survival.

Check out last week’s blog on what digital transformation means and Unity World’s top 5 reasons for digital transformation.

Get in touch today to explore how your business can innovate to reap the rewards!