Last year, we saw organisations rising to the challenges presented to them, using the pandemic as an opportunity to accelerate their digital transformation projects, rather than delay investment.
Business leaders are becoming more aware of the difference between transformational and transactional technology and the impact this can have on their operations and are moving away from reactive 'break-fix' models of support to true strategic partnerships.
There has been a real shift in the way organisations are starting to think about their technology and how it is supporting their objectives, as well as what they are expecting from their technology partners.
I saw an explanation of "digital transformation" recently that I think really hits the nail on the head... "Digital transformation is the integration of digital technology into all areas of a business, fundamentally changing how you operate and deliver value to customers. It's also a cultural change that requires organisations to continually challenge the status quo, experiment, and get comfortable with failure."
In contrast, transactional technology focuses on immediate, simple, and predictable changes.
The Transactional vs Transformational Debate
Reflecting on the year that was and the evolution of customer behaviour got me thinking about the transactional vs transformational debate and what organisations can be doing in 2022 to ensure their technology partner is supporting them with a high-value, transformational technology strategy.
Many technology partners are caught in a traditional service offering that focuses only on ‘keeping the lights on’ and providing the lowest prices in the market. Modern technology partners have evolved beyond this however and are geared to assist in strategic digital transformation projects to drive efficiencies, the way businesses deliver value to their customers, reduce their operational risk, and improve revenue.
My challenge to business leaders this year is to ask yourself these three key questions:
- Is your technology partner talking to you about transformation at a strategic level?
- Does your digital technology integrate into and support all areas of your business?
- Do you have the right technology partner?
How can Software Development services support your transformational journey?
Software exists to support your operations, but even great software can hold your organisation back if information does not flow across applications or the systems are outdated and no longer function as needed.
Software Development experts can help you to analyse your internal technology environment to ensure your systems are working for you, and importantly for today's hybrid work environment, is accessible to your team regardless of where they are working from.
Software Development services identify and address pain points within existing business software and develop new functionality and efficiency to ensure your internal systems are integrated and working efficiently together to provide the data you need to make informed business decisions.
At its core, Software Development is all about understanding your business, the way your employees work, and the needs of your customers, to ensure your digital environment is fit-for-purpose and ready to scale.
Businesses are increasingly seeking to engage technology partners who can not only provide the transactional day-to-day support of your systems but also has the expertise to analyse, develop and implement transformational projects which can support your business growth.
The role and value of Business Technology Consulting in Digital Transformation
Recently I’ve had a lot of interesting conversations with business leaders around Business Technology Consulting and the value it can add to their organisation.
I’ve found that when people hear the term technology ‘consultants’ they think of large national specialist firms that are often ‘out-of-reach’ for SME’s.
The truth is, Business Technology Consulting is becoming increasingly accessible to organisations of any size, and many technology partners are now moving to include consulting as part of their core service offering. (to avoid confusion, we are referring to specialist consultants who work with customers to help them transform the way they use technology, not sales teams who offer 'free consultations' in disguise).
There is a huge benefit to this, with your local technology provider in a lot of cases already having access to your technology environment and really understanding your business, how it operates, what its objectives are, and why.
Does your technology partner provide a high-value integrated approach to support you on your digital transformation journey including:
- IT Strategy and Decision Making, including CIO as a Service
- Customer Experience, Collaboration and Productivity
- Infrastructure Resource Management
- Cyber Security and Compliance Consulting
- Business Software Selection and Appraisal
Business Technology Consultants and Software Development teams help solve even the most complex business problems and drive transformation, bringing with them diverse skill sets and industry experience. If your current technology partner cannot provide these transformational services, it may well be time to 'shop around'.
How Diamond IT can support your digital transformation
2022 is the year to elevate your strategic technology roadmap and ensure it is aligned with your business objectives. As a trusted tech partner we work closely with our customers to assess where they are in their digital transformation journey and provide innovative analysis, planning and implementation of solutions to support growth and help them succeed.
If you're ready to improve your operations and customer experience through digital transformation, book a free consultation with our Software Development and Business Technology Consulting team today.
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