Digital Transformation: the key to a better future

Times have changed and so has the business landscape across segments in India. Organizations have realized the true potential of data and lately have accepted the fact that technological development is the key to their growth trajectory. With the pandemic transforming every pre-planned equation, businesses are even more concerned with transforming themselves digitally as early as possible. The situation has raised a pressing need for digital adoption across industries. Over the span of the past few months, the world has gone through phases wherein a ban on travel, restriction on meeting people, visiting places of work have been imposed and as a result, to maintain consistency, it has become imperative for organizations to digitally transform themselves.

The Digital Shift

Business disruptions and changing models of remote working have placed digital technology at the center of today’s economic development debate. While there is no doubt that the pandemic is amplifying the adoption of new-age technologies, however, the process has already started for some time now. Hence, the transformation became a little easy for some organizations and they rose to the occasion swiftly. They were able to achieve what would have normally taken many more years to accomplish. In fact, according to Dell Technologies’ Digital Transformation Index 2020[1], 94.7% of the businesses in India have fast-tracked at least some digital transformation programs this year. Truly, these unprecedented times have made business leaders realize that we are indeed stepping into an era, which is powered by new-age technologies and data which needs to be managed and secured digitally.

Restructuring the IT infrastructure and workforce

Though these extraordinary times have catalyzed digital transformation across the globe, there are organizations that are facing entrenched barriers to transformation. Transforming digitally just doesn’t mean to drive innovation, an organization needs to modernize to maintain a steady IT infrastructure and a skilled workforce to manage flawless operations. Rejuvenating the IT architect has turned out to be the key to driving innovation, improving customer experiences, boosting reliability and security, and staying competitive. Interestingly, 92.7% of the respondents in India, recognize that as a result of disruption this year, they need an more agile/scalable IT infrastructure to allow for contingencies. Workplaces and its associated applications are becoming more and more complex, making it more important than ever for businesses to have end-to-end solutions that work together seamlessly from the edge to the cloud to the core.

Organizations, therefore, need to be sure they have the potential to not just operate digitally, but at the same time be able to store and secure zillions of data being generated. Restructuring of the workforce, upskilling, and reskilling also need to be introduced as the new norm for businesses to stay competitive in this new normal. In order to ride the digital transformation wave successfully, it becomes imperative for organizations to consistently upskill their workforce. As per Digital Transformation Index 2020, 63.7% of respondents in India are investing in digital skills to transform their workforce and make them future-ready.

Looking beyond the new normal

In today’s unprecedented times, businesses are re-thinking their business and workplace strategy to transform efficiently and be able to dwell smoothly. Companies must go ahead with a new reality, that is, technology skills are no longer highly centered in IT; they need to be stationed across organizational functions and businesses, along with soft skills to achieve success. The recent Digital Transformation Index revealed that businesses are increasingly looking at investmenting towards emerging technologies like edge and AI/ML. In fact, 95% of Indian respondents foresee using AI and data models to predict potential disruptions. The same report also states that out of the total respondents in India, 58.3% have completed their investment in cybersecurity and privacy.

The future may look different, but it is not hard for organizations if they transform their business operations swiftly. Technology can be a boon to society if businesses prepare beforehand for the future and adapt accordingly. The current challenging times have pushed society to an inflection point where embracing technology is no longer an option but a necessity. It has also made workers more vulnerable. With the right steps and actions, organizations can take this crisis as an opportunity to build for the future.

Rudramuni B, Vice President and India R&D Head, Dell Technologies