Introduction
Digital Transformation is no more a buzz word, but it is most widely used phrase with several meanings.
As technology has invaded our day to day life, it’s essential to get a clear understanding of Digital Transformation and its significance in our life.
Also, for any organization, i.e. Government or Private / Commercial, irrespective of their size – small, medium, or large, either local or global.
This blog explains What is Digital Transformation? Why it’s inevitable rather than an option.
What is Digital Transformation?
Digital Transformation is a continuous process using evolving technologies to innovate business services to be available through handheld devices that are preferred by the customer.
Let us take an analogy to understand Digital Transformation, which we are familiar with and generally use it on a daily basis.
Google Maps
Google maps are accessible by a handheld device. To commute to a new destination before Google maps, we were referring to physical maps and at a later stage, a GPS Navigator.
Google maps for the chosen destination provides various travel options such as walking, cycling, public transport, etc. For the selected route displays the distance in KM/ Mile and estimates the time of arrival.
By mistake, if the commuter overlooks a turn, the map gets updated in real-time with an alternate route, distance to travel, and the estimated time of arrival. Also, google maps provides the nearest available amenities such as eateries, utilities, etc. along the route.
Also, Google maps have features such as Traffic conditions, Street View, 45° imagery, Business listings, Google Local Guides, etc..
Why is Digital Transformation important?
In the 21st-century, usage of technology to perform day to day tasks is inevitable. It can be a toddler playing a video game, a student searching web for information, a householder comparing prices, an office worker performing his task, or retiree reading or posting on social media.
The number of smart mobile phone users in the world in Jan 2020 was 3.5 Billion, which is roughly 45.00 % of the world population and that is 70 % of users are in the top 10 developed countries according to statista. An average user spends typically about 3 hours on mobile phones for their routine activities and social media.
So, it’s critical for Government or Private organizations to enable their services that provide the information in real-time like google maps.
Why Digital Transformation is inevitable for Private / Commercial organizations
The traditional business model is getting disrupted with evolving technology e.g.,
- shared taxi service as Uber,
- online food delivery services as Menulog,
- online marketplace for accommodation as Airbnb,
- an online marketplace for consumer goods trading as Amazon, eBay, Alibaba etc.
So, organizations reinvent their business model to be competitive, reduce cost, offer a better quality of service, and increase the morale of employees to embrace technology wherever it is applicable.
If they fail to provide, the private organizations will lose their business rapidly.
Why Digital Transformation is inevitable for Government organizations
Citizens expect similar public services as offered by a commercial organizations, as intuitive services as provided by social media platforms where they can socialize, share images, documents, have group chats, etc.
Social media has given the ability to the public, to compare services offered by other countries. Government organizations need to cut the cost of public services. Enable multiple channels to increase engagement with Citizens. Commercialize service to raise revenue to offer better services to Citizens. With appropriate and timely online information, enables Governments to be open and transparent to build trust with the Citizens. Monitor the quality of services and staff to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public services.
If Government organizations fail to embrace digital transformation, they will be criticized by the Citizens, which may eventually bring the reputation of a country down.
Is Digital Transformation a one-off project?
Digital transformation is a journey; it will be ever evolving as technology changes, considering Google maps key milestones as below:
Journey of Google maps and its market share illustrates organizations need to embrace technology to offer services that will be widely accepted and consumed by users.
In general, organizations, when they bought their first Computer, started their digital journey. With the revolution in evolving technologies, organizations need to reinvent themselves or will quickly disappear:
The expectation of customers in the digital era is engaging content, intuitive services, customizable interface, with real-time information rendered in a fraction of a second.
Key takeaway
Digital transformation is:
- No more an option but it is inevitable for the survival of an organization.
- Applicable for Government or Commercial organizations, large or small.
- A journey that evolves along with the pace of evolving technologies.
With the advancement and affordability of technology, human dependency on technologies is not only to perform day to day tasks but to survive. Though every organization has started the digital transformation journey, the success rate is about 15 % as per leading research organizations. We will be posting blogs periodically that addresses success stories of Digital Transformation.