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More and more businesses are looking to transform their business in 2023 by moving to a digital landscape. Creating a guide for effectively doing that made good old-fashioned sense.
So here it is, IT Soho’s guide to digital transformation for your business.
Your process for business digital transformation
There are several steps to moving your business online, but if taken well, you can really open up your bottom line’s potential. Here are those steps in more detail.
Step 1 - Identify business objectives
Determine what you want to achieve with your digital transformation and set specific, measurable goals. Doing this allows you to create milestones and task groups to get specific work done at the right time.
Step 2 - Assess current technology
Analyse your existing technology infrastructure and identify improvement areas.
To assess the current technology in your business, you can follow these steps:
Identify what you already have in use
Assess the technology's ability to meet current business needs
Evaluate its level of integration with other systems
Measure its performance and efficiency
Assess the level of maintenance and support required
Determine the technology's impact on the workforce and identify any training needs
Evaluate its scalability and future-proofing potential
Determine the total cost of ownership, including hardware, software, and personnel costs
Review customer references and case studies for client-facing technologies
Create a plan for improvement or replacement if necessary
It's essential to involve relevant staff, stakeholders and decision-makers in this process to ensure the technology assessment aligns with your overall business strategy.
Step 3 - Evaluate new technology
Research and evaluate new technologies, such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and IoT, that can help you achieve your goals. Here’s our guide to 2023’s IT trends.
To assess new technology for your business, you can follow these steps:
Identify the problem or need the technology aims to solve
Research and compare available solutions
Assess technical compatibility and integration with existing systems
Consider cost, including both upfront expenses and ongoing maintenance
Evaluate vendor reliability and track record
Evaluate the potential impact on your workforce and determine if training is necessary
Consider scalability and future-proofing
Review customer references and case studies for client-facing technologies
Test the technology with a pilot program or proof of concept
Evaluate the results and make a decision
Again it's vital to involve relevant staff, stakeholders and decision-makers in this process to ensure that the technology selected aligns with your business goals and objectives.
Step 4 - Develop a digital strategy
Create a comprehensive plan outlining how to use technology to achieve your digital transformation goals. It should include cybersecurity and hybrid policy considerations.
Step 5 - Implement new technology
Roll out new technologies like cloud computing and artificial intelligence to improve your operations and drive innovation.
Our best advice is to do this in stages. That way, you can control business productivity whilst making the switch.
Step 6 - Foster a culture of innovation
Encourage employees to embrace change and be open to new ideas. Allow them to give feedback on what’s working and what isn’t so you can effectively evaluate and improve your digital workspace.
Step 7 - Continuously evaluate and improve
Regularly evaluate your digital transformation efforts and make improvements as needed.
By following these steps, you can successfully digitise your business, improve your operations, and stay ahead of the competition in 2023. Additionally, it's crucial to stay informed about emerging technologies and be flexible and adaptable to change, as the technology landscape is rapidly evolving.
If you need a helping hand through your digital transformation, contact Eric today!