When should you digitally transition?

Knowing when to start the process

In this, the second in our series of posts on digital transition and digital transformation, we’re going to take a closer look at digital transition and what it means for your business.

As a reminder, digital transformation is a combination of transformative digital technologies, tools, processes, and people – including corporate culture and mindset. It is about genuinely transforming the way that you do business at all levels.

On the other hand, digital transition is the process of improving your existing technologies, tools, and procedures. As mentioned in our previous blog, sometimes a digital transition is the right choice for your company. But how do you know when and how to start?

Examples of digital transition

Digital transition comes into play when you’re considering technology integration. Whether it be enriching your customer experience or creating unity within the workplace, there are many advantages to starting your company’s transition process.

Some common ways to start a digital transition within your company are:

• adopting new digital automation techniques
• deploying new applications that make current processes easier
• introducing online options that enable customers to better interact with your company.

A concrete example of how you can use digital transition to your benefit is through the modernization of information management. You may have hundreds or even thousands of documents on a system your staff understands and works well in. The benefits of changing your entire system could quickly be overtaken by the disruption and effort required to implement it. In this case, digitally transitioning by adding new functionality or automation would cause less disruptions while still boosting efficiency.

Advantages of digital transition

Knowing whether or not digital transition is the right choice for you means understanding the advantages the process has. There are four key advantages that many businesses cite:

Cost-savings

The upgrade of current technology, processes, and tools means that you don’t need to factor in the cost of an entirely new technology stack. Moreover, the use of approaches that rely on current technologies means you do not have to invest in extensive training for employees to understand the changes.

Less disruptive 

Integrating new processes will take less time and management than introducing new tools or functions. The disruption which comes with digital transformation can be detrimental to a company that is not prepared. Digital transition is an excellent entry point that doesn’t take as much time or resources.

Less employee pushback 

One of the challenges with introducing new processes is an adverse employee reaction. With a transitional process, the introduction of fresh ideas into places that employees are already comfortable with is an easier way to connect with them and allow them time to get used to it.

Faster implementation

Upgrading current technologies and tools is easier to comprehend and accomplish than introducing completely new technologies and tools. As such, this directly results in faster implementation of new processes and ideas. 

When should you digitally transition rather than transform?

Your business processes are still primarily effective

If your business processes are still largely effective, the need for an entire transformation might not be necessary. A simple upgrade to your processes and technologies can be an effective way to manage costs and ensures you stay ahead of the curve.

Making small changes can be just as impactful as big ones, especially when your processes do not need a significant difference.

There are only minor improvements needed

Investing in a digital transformation process will take a lot of time, dedication, and financial resources. If your strategy and workplace processes are only in need of minor changes, then an entire transformation is an unnecessary task to undertake.

In this instance, digital transition is a better option for ensuring you make the improvements you need without spending excessive time and resources.

You need rapid change

Digital transition offers a unique opportunity to make changes quickly. With less time needed to implement upgrades and train employees, this option allows you to rapidly modify your processes and strategies.

If this is what you need, then digital transition is the way to go.

There are budget constraints

If you are in a situation where you cannot invest a great deal in digital changes, then the cost-effective methods that digital transition offers are the best option. Upgrading technologies and tools you already have at hand will be less financially straining than replacing them entirely.

Transition to Global Cents

There is a place for both digital transition and digital transformation. Either way you choose to go depends on your business’s needs and how you want to move forward. We will be covering more on this topic in the coming weeks to help you decide which choice is the right one for you, so make sure to keep an eye out for new content at Global Cents.

Global Cents solutions provide new ways for your business to function and secure a prosperous future and all your automation needs. For more information on how to improve and transform your processes, contact Global Cents today.