The connection between business and technology – digital transformation

Technology exists to enable, to improve and to streamline. When you really break it down, it's as simple as that. If you talk to people on the street about technology (depending on their age) they may have a different opinion, but in general terms, technology is a tool to enhance both access to information and our ability to process and make sense of it. It is an enabler at its core; that is the key focus for technology's function within business moving forward.

One emerging idea around technology in business is Digital Transformation, or the Digital Disruption of businesses. It harnesses the power of the technology available to us to create additional revenue streams, create greater engagement with your customer, and improve existing products and processes within the back engine of your organisation. Essentially, technology as a key facilitator in future proofing your organisation.

This is already happening with the big players in the market; the organisations with the cash to flash. We already have online and mobile banking, insurance is headed in the same direction, and now you can even digitally drink a coke – although I'm not sure how refreshing that would actually prove to be?

Most businesses are probably already thinking about their online presence, perhaps by developing a mobile enabled website, maybe even an online real time customer support function. But how many businesses are looking to take the next step into the unknown?

I don't think anyone would disagree that technology is generally becoming more pervasive throughout our everyday lives. Personally I don't know anyone who doesn't own a smart phone, but we now also have smart TVs, smart homes, and soon it seems smart cars.

You can remotely monitor your home in case of a break in, watch your nanny to ensure they are actually taking care of your child, video chat your friends around the world and fully immerse yourself in virtual reality games. If we are so willing to embrace these technical revolutions in our personal lives, why would the same not be true for our working lives?

Have you started to think about the logical next step for your business? How you could use technology to push the boundaries of your current business models and processes? How through doing this, you could provide additional value to your customers and consequently additional revenue for yourself?

Innovation and integration are the key factors within this sort of change, ensuring that technical change is made with the business in mind, and integrated in a way that the business is in control, consulted and generally included throughout the entire lifecycle – there shouldn't be any such thing as a purely IT project any longer.

Technology should not be separate from the business, but considered an integral element within every division – this impact is why recruiting good IT people is so essential for your business! An opportunity for improvement, positive change and overall progress. Have you considered where digital transformation could push your business?