The Digital Transformation megatrend is fundamentally disrupting and changing every industry, business and most jobs at a rapid pace. Many executives and managers are struggling with understanding this megatrend and what it means to them and their organization. Digital Transformation affects everything from updating the company vision and strategy, to educating CEOs, CIOs and management teams on the significant changes that are taking place today.
Are you thinking "outside the box" in 2017? Are your competitors?
A Digital Transformation process includes reviews and updates to Goals, Objectives, Strategy, Process, Metrics and Technology. The following list of top technologies are being implemented today in other companies to digitally transform the way their employees work and dramatically improve their customer experiences. We included a few comments next to each. How many of these items are in your plans for this year? Use the list to stimulate ideas during your reviews and discussions.
Top 11 Digital Transformation Technologies for 2017
- Big Data and Analytics Reporting
You are going to have an exponential increase in data in your business over the next few years. Are Excel spreadsheets the best solution? Do your managers have the real-time reporting needed to be successful in today's business environment? - Cloud Apps and Mobile Solutions
All top application developers are rebuilding their applications (apps) for the cloud and mobile. Moving old apps to a remote location is not really taking advantage of cloud computing. How old are your apps and when were they built? Cloud and Mobile Apps are needed these days for most professionals to be productive. Do you still use desktop solutions for your Millennial workers? - Customer Experience (CX) and Social Marketing
Today's customer expects a very fast response to their needs from all companies. They communicate in many ways: social, text, chat, Skype, FaceTime, email, phone and in person. - Cyber Security
Traditional virus software and static system firewalls do not cut it today. All business systems are targeted by hackers from around the world and sometimes within your own company. The latest cyber security systems are proactive and reactive in protecting your company. - IOT (Internet of Things) and Wearables
IOT can be used in most offices to save money on energy, improve security and reduce costs. The Healthcare Industry will make very good use of wearables over the next two years. - AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning)
Look for AI and ML to be integrated into many of the latest business applications this year. Sales and Marketing Apps with this technology will make your people much more productive. Do your applications have this technology this year - or next year? - AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality)
Very few businesses need VR technology this year. AR will have a faster return on investment than VR for the majority of companies in the next few years. - eSignatures
This is one of the fastest returns on digital transformation investment for businesses. If you have a lot of paper processing and signing, you need to implement eSignature technology this year. - Voice Personal Assistants Chatbots (Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri and Hey Google)
Many companies are experimenting with using voice personal assistants as productivity tools for employees and customers. - Robots, Drones and Self-Driving Safety Features in Vehicles
Low priority technology for most companies this year. Security robots and drones are being implemented this year. Self-driving safety features in the latest cars help reduce accidents and deaths of employees traveling in vehicles. - Responsive Designed Websites with Video
Your website should be designed to work on all devices: smartphones, tablets, laptops and TVs. You should also increase your investment in publishing short videos on your web pages.
Please contact us if you want us to help you be more successful with your digital transformation projects in 2017.