The Road to Digitalisation

How digital is your organisation? Digitisation is playing an increasingly important role in our society. It provides efficient business processes and makes staying in touch with customers easier and faster. Using digitisation in your business effectively can lead to time savings, increased revenue, and satisfied customers. In this article, you will learn the definition of digitisation, its advantages, some of its dangers, and lastly, how to begin with this transformation.

What is digitisation?

Digitisation refers to converting analogue information into a digital format that can be accessed and used on computers and smartphones. This process eliminates the need for physical information storage, such as printed photos, as they can be directly viewed in a digital format. Digitisation involves transforming workflows into digital processes, which entails using software and applications to manage and process information.

The digital society

The beginning of the internet has led to a significant shift in our society towards digitalisation. Children born today grow up surrounded by digital technology. A decade ago, owning a smartphone was a luxury, but now almost everyone carries one (or nearly so). They use it to check their email, social media, and bank account balances.

This new generation of young people is often called the “digital generation.” They rely heavily on digital tools such as WhatsApp for communication, payment apps for direct payment requests, and social media to pass the time while waiting for public transport. For them, a world without these digital conveniences is unimaginable. Companies must adapt to this shift to remain relevant and meet their expectations. To be honest, I can't imagine a world without these digital tools either.

Why is digitisation important?

First, customers expect you to keep up with the times. But digitisation also offers many advantages for your business operations. With digitisation, you can optimise your processes, minimising unnecessary steps. This saves you time and costs and gives you more insight into your processes. You can work better together because important documents are also available remotely, which you can easily put online in the cloud.

The benefits of digitisation

Digitisation is sustainable, time-saving, and efficient. Below, I highlight four more advantages of digitisation for your business.

Being prepared for the future

Digitisation is crucial in future-proofing your business and securing a strong market position. By embracing digital technology, you can position yourself as a leader in your industry and stay ahead of the competition. It is essential not to fall behind in this rapidly advancing digital landscape.

To become a digital market leader, it is crucial to connect with your customers in the way that suits them best: digitally. By staying current with the latest digital trends and investing in innovative solutions, you can strengthen your business and maintain a competitive edge in your industry.

A digital environment is available everywhere and at any time

With digitisation, your employees no longer have to waste time searching for a particular document or making a trip to the office to retrieve it. This level of accessibility enables the trend of hybrid working, where employees can work remotely for part of the time.

By embracing digitisation, you can allow your employees to work from anywhere without compromising their access to important information. This can improve productivity and work-life balance and help attract and retain top talent. Additionally, with digital tools and systems in place, your business can operate seamlessly, even when employees work from different locations.

User-friendly for customers

Digital services allow customers to access services anytime and anywhere. With digital tools, you can complete important tasks without physically visiting an office or service provider. This level of accessibility has become the norm in today's digital age.

Offering digital services can bring numerous benefits to a company. Automated and standardised services ensure consistent and equal service for all customers, which can help improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. Additionally, digital services can streamline processes, reduce costs, and increase efficiency. With the right digital tools in place, you can create a seamless and user-friendly experience for your customers, making it easier for them to do business with you.

Analysing documents becomes easier

Storing your documents online can provide numerous benefits, including easier analysis. With the right software programs, you can easily extract valuable insights from your digital documents.

Analysing digital documents can help you identify trends, patterns, and insights that inform your decision-making process. For example, you can use data analysis tools to identify customer preferences, track sales performance, or monitor operational efficiency.

While many off-the-shelf software programs are available for data analysis, sometimes businesses require a custom solution to fully meet their unique needs. If this is the case for your business, we can help you develop a custom analysis tool tailored to your specific requirements.

Our team of experts can work with you to understand your business needs and design a solution that meets your objectives. Whether you require a custom dashboard for data visualisation or a sophisticated machine learning algorithm, we can help you achieve your goals. By developing a bespoke tool, you can gain deeper insights into your business and make more informed decisions based on your specific data sets.

Dangers of digitisation

What should you watch out for when digitising your business? Below, I mention three threats to digital businesses.

Cybersecurity threats

As your business becomes more digitised, it becomes increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks and data breaches. Hackers can gain access to sensitive information, such as customer data or financial records, which can result in serious financial and reputational damage. Investing in robust cybersecurity measures to protect your digital assets and ensure your business is resilient to potential threats is important.

Technology failure

Digitisation relies heavily on technology, and any technological failure can significantly disrupt your business operations. For example, a server outage or software malfunction can bring your business to a standstill, resulting in lost productivity and revenue. It is essential to have contingency plans to mitigate the impact of any technology failures and ensure business continuity.

Digital skills gap

Implementing digital technologies can require a significant shift in mindset and skillset for your employees. If your workforce lacks the necessary digital skills, it can result in resistance to change, reduced productivity, and missed opportunities. Investing in digital upskilling and training programs is important to ensure your employees can work in a digital environment and make the most of new technologies.

Start Preparing for the Future

If you haven't started digitalising your business, now is the time. Our experts can help you take the first steps towards a digital future with tailored advice and support. We have the expertise you need to stay ahead of the competition. Check out our services and contact us today to start your digitalisation journey.