A few of the topics I often field in my role as head of new business development at viax.io is: ‘How do we get started on a digital transformation?’ ‘What should we prioritize as a key initiative?’ and ‘How will digital transformation actually improve our employees’ roles for the better?’
These are smart questions around a process that at first might feel daunting. As leaders know, change takes intentionality to navigate well.
I recently came across a brief article in Manufacturing.net that did a nice job summing up a few key points on just this topic. Here are a few abbreviated pointers from that article:
Start Small and Smart:
The first step forward is to focus on identifying specific areas of improvement and piloting small, smart technological changes that make an impact in those areas. Rather than doing too much too fast, organizations can focus on quickly implementing flexible and adaptable technologies that fill the gaps left by current enterprise systems. Ultimately, taking a smaller, smarter approach means companies can quickly improve process performance, increase employee productivity and realize significant cost savings — all while minimizing disruption to operations and being agile to pivot when needed.
This is indeed a strategic approach for many, and precisely why viax introduced its modular building block approach, to enterprise commerce within its cloud — clients could seamlessly and efficiently integrate with existing systems and adapt as they go.
Prioritize Interconnectivity:
Today, disconnected systems and operations, along with siloed information and communication, can lead to a lot of waste and, worse, a lot of mistakes. While taking gradual steps towards advanced digitization, the long-term goal should be interconnectivity. The focus must be on connecting all workflows, data, systems and human insights throughout the organization.
Absolutely: Interconnectivity is absolute must today across any enterprise system; I’d go so far as to recommend it as an immediate goal. Our architecture was built to integrate workflows and provide a holistic overview of application activities through its comprehensive analytics, AI and reporting tools for just that reason.
Empower Workers:
Transformation doesn’t come from technology. It comes from process improvements and greater decision-making enabled by collaborative technologies. Manufacturing business technology is about optimizing people and processes to increase efficiencies, decreasing the chance of human error, and releasing workers from having to perform repetitive tasks so they can focus more on value-adding activities, which in turn leads the way to enhancing employee and business performance. Digital transformation is more than a shift in technology—it is a shift in mindset. It is an opportunity for manufacturing businesses to take a human-centric approach to smart factory technology and empower digitally connected workers to thrive within a data-driven manufacturing environment, where an organization’s people are empowered to make better decisions to drive business.
I love this concept: Not only will businesses realize an immediate gain of efficiencies from digital transformation, but employees can in turn benefit from the empowering effect of moving toward smarter, more human-centric roles. While the source is a terrific one for those geared toward the manufacturing sector, the principles can be applied to any industry.
I’ll also add that the incremental approach to digital transformation described in this article has the additional benefit of a discovery-driven testing and modification approach, an approach described in an earlier blog by my colleague, Andrew Martin.
Are there questions you’re curious about regarding the journey of digital transformation? If we haven’t connected, and you want to know more about this topic or the viax cloud-based platform for enterprise commerce, reach out to me or info@viax.io anytime.
