We live in an ever-evolving world. Technology seemingly changes with the weather and it’s a business’s responsibility to stay abreast of these developments. In a recent study we discovered the hottest technology trends of 2019.
The top three trends were:
- Migration to the cloud (40%)
- Hybrid cloud services (38%)
- Digital transformation (37%)
These are the top three things businesses see as being key drivers in 2019 and what is seen as being supportive to assisting their company’s future growth. While it’s unsurprising that cloud migration and cloud services come in at the top, the appearance of digital transformation in third place is what catches our attention.
Interestingly, when asked which was the single biggest priority, digital transformation shot to the top of the rankings with 40%. It shows that decision-makers are aware of their responsibility going forward. But while digital transformation sounds beneficial at face value, how would you actually define such a term?
What is digital transformation?
There is no set definition of digital transformation. The term sounds progressive and futuristic, but it doesn’t change the fact it leaves room for ambiguity. What type of technology does ‘digital’ refer to? How are we transforming? Is it purely through introducing new tech? Or are we using technology in different ways?
Digital transformation can mean different things to different people. This could be one reason businesses are making it a priority. Prioritizing digital transformation can mean prioritizing the technological needs of your individual business, despite whether others may have different ideas. This umbrella term of digital technology could include:
- Revamping your website
- Securing IT estate
- Introducing automation
- Introducing electronic filing and management
- Improving your cybersecurity
It’s clear these things don’t all conform to one particular form of digital transformation, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Why we need digital transformation
A quick Google search trying to uncover the digital transformation definition, will tell you that digital transformation is ‘the novel use of digital technology to solve traditional problems. This isn’t specific, however, it binds everything that falls under ‘digital transformation’ together.
Everything we chalk up to digital transformation serves the purpose of solving problems with the use of technology. These problems will be different between different businesses, so digital transformation will be too. The fact businesses are prioritizing digital problem-solving in 2019 shows there is one clear, common goal: to improve business operations by using technology. This is the essence of digital transformation and it’s something all businesses can get on board with in spite of budget, size, or location, even if it’s in the smallest ways.
Why digital transformation is important
Digital transformation is increasingly important for businesses who want to remain competitive and grow in a fast-developing world. Huge changes like cloud migration will give your business an undeniable advantage in the market but they require a huge leap. On the other hand, you can tailor your digital transformation strategy to what you need in that moment in time, providing a step-by-step way to improve your business in the areas that need it most, without breaking the bank or changing too drastically.
The fact businesses are prioritizing digital transformation isn’t at all surprising when we consider the underlying goals of the changes. Sometimes, leaving room for interpretation can be a helpful way of allowing businesses to develop in a way that suits them.
At M247, we guide businesses through digital transformation. Whether you want to migrate to the cloud, better secure your IT or improve business efficiency, we have the expertise to ensure you are operating efficiently and productively.
For more information about M247 solutions, contact us today
