Digitalization is an activity that large and small businesses are grappling with presently. While various aspects of business operations have been computerized for some years, it’s not necessarily very coordinated.
Different department heads often have had their ideas on what software and other solutions are needed for their team. Such solutions often have been incompatible with the ones that other departments have adopted. This complicates the software management aspect for the IT department, but also makes interdepartmental communication and sharing of information problematic too.
Here is a brief guide to digitization.
What’s Involved with Digitization at a Company
The idea with digitization is not just to “go digital” with all stores of information, but also to overcome stifled communication and internal data sharing hurdles within the business. As such, digitization is often a transformative experience for many companies with an old way of doing things.
The internal processes, operating model, the employees, and sometimes the culture as well necessarily get updated when moving to a more integrated, digitizedapproach.
A Slightly Bumpy Road as People Adjust to Change
The process of changing systems to better allow for tracking workflow assignments, following them to their conclusion, and providing informative reporting to management is not always smooth.
Sometimes, processes are altered to allow for the proper flow of information. Other times, bottlenecks must be removed, and interdepartmental disagreements resolved, to prevent obstructions orobjections to the updated systems.
IT personnel who are more familiar with new digitized systems may see them as a required improvement. For employees, however, it upturns their way of working. Training is required as well as an understanding approach to get employees onboard, and up to speed on the new approach to getting their job done.
Improved Tracking and Reporting is a Must
One of the benefits of digitization within a business is the visualization of tasks, projects, workflows, and business systems. Rather than using ad hoc monitoring that gets added bit by bit over time, a better way to track it is now possible.
One example of this is with TruQC that allows businesses to monitor workflow, commitments, outstanding assignments, and ensure they get completed on time. This permits a higher level of quality control for the business overall. Systems like this have enabled large contractors to complete important work for the US Navy and many commercial organizations too. For companies that seemed to run on an “organized chaos” model, adopting digitization company-wide can be something of a revelation.
Portable Business Technology
Companies need workflow management solutions to follow them wherever they go. Whether that’s to an off-site business meeting or for a sit down with staff in another building.
Being able to use mobile apps and the secure cloud to access company information for maintaining workflow oversight is critical. Also, it’s possible to view digitized reporting using a web browser on a Chromebook, business laptop, or a mobile device; digitization allows for the easier flow of critical information to where it’s most needed.
The beauty of fully integrated digitization as a model is that data is more accessible. Workflows can be better visualized and managed. Less staff time is required chasing paperwork because it’s all digital and accessible when it’s required. This allows management to immediately focus on solutions and not on chasing up the details to size up the new problem.
