New Thinking Is Required For Digital Transformation Part 2: Transitioning Legacy Systems into Digital Solutions

 

In my recent blog post, I discussed how businesses must focus on people and company culture to successfully master digital transformation. This article will take a closer look at the technology, and why digital transformation requires businesses to make the transition from outdated legacy systems into more agile, fully digital solutions.

Consider your customer’s needs

IDC predicts spending on digital transformation technologies in the United States will reach nearly $732 billion by 2019. We are living in a fast-moving business landscape, where digital start-ups are popping up left, right and center. Therefore, it is important more than ever to look at ways of gaining access to new customers and revenue opportunities that improve and differentiate the customer experience.

In an increasingly digital world, where customer demand, instant gratification and expectations for on-demand services are rapidly growing, it’s a no brainer that businesses need to implement and adapt digital technologies that support these customer needs. However, there are still many companies that have a hard time separating with their current legacy systems and the investment poured into them.  However, those companies who are not willing to consider more agile digital solutions, which are better in line with their audience needs, are in significant danger of moving too slowly and losing valuable relevance. As a result, these companies will be left behind.

Digitalize your strategic efforts

According to Gartner estimates, 60 percent of business users are expected to adopt cloud-based office systems by 2020, as the research illustrates advantages regarding cost, business capabilities, security, and innovation. As most company executives agree, having a clear strategic plan is crucial to any business success, and it is only logical that this aspect of the organization adapts more flexible, digital approaches.

Cloud-based strategic management software can help you take your strategic execution to the next level. StrategyBlocks provides deep customization and an intuitive user experience, while making it easy to share data across departments and business units, cultivating company-wide involvement in strategic execution. It is the crucial link between an organization’s top-line strategic initiatives and the insider knowledge necessary to effectively execute strategic vision – all hosted in the cloud.

Plan and rethink

Although a move to the cloud or other agile digital solutions is most definitely beneficial, and in many instances necessary, the process of doing so can often be far from straightforward. In addition to changing the actual equipment, you need to rethink processes, while employees need to be trained in – and learn to adapt to – the new systems.

Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make the transition more manageable and less stressful. Making a transition plan ahead of time and ensuring everyone in the business is prepared for, and feels comfortable with, the changes will take you a long way. So with rethinking best practices – start with processes recommended and tested by your chosen software solution, and then adapt it to your business needs.

True digital transformation requires a sharp break with past practices but is necessary to compete in today’s agile, ever-changing market. There’s no reason to put it off – start transitioning your legacy systems into fully digital solutions today and reap the benefits for the future.