The term digital transformation may have become outdated and should be replaced by a more comprehensive look at how digital tools can help businesses run better.
The importance of digital transformation for businesses is now well known. I’ve been writing about it on this blog post for years. Everyone defines it slightly differently but at Alpha Software, we think of it this way:
“The adoption and integration of digital tools and techniques across all business functions, so as to achieve speed, accuracy, and efficiency…Digital transformation involves replacing old, obsolete tools and processes with cutting-edge technologies and software applications to speed work. Digital transformation seeks to improve user experiences, streamline operations and increase productivity by transforming manual processes into high-speed digital ones.”
There’s some evidence, though, that the term may be outliving its usefulness and needs to be retired. At least so says the blog post, “Is It Time to Retire the Term Digital Transformation?” The post argues: “As terminology, digital transformation has served its purpose in catalyzing the adoption of new technology and getting teams to think outside the box. The focus now should be to ensure that technology direction is embedded in every department’s annual strategy and plan. Every single plan should consider the role of technology in supporting department and corporate objectives.”
That may seem like splitting hairs, a distinction without a difference. But the author says that using the term hides the real work that still needs to be done by businesses, notably, “There are still too many siloed and tactical technology purchases driven by point problems to address. I continue to be amazed by how many companies don’t have a single source of truth for their technology or a process to manage technology plans, implementation and lifecycle.”
The author of that article isn’t alone. Several years ago, the article, “Can we retire ‘digital transformation’ already?” made the same points. It also pointed to practical reasons the term should no longer be used.
Perhaps the most important, the author says, “Transformation is scary. Evolving is much easier.” Transformation, he says, can be extremely disruptive to businesses, and because of that companies may shy away from trying to do it. But calling the process “digital evolution” he believes, will make it more likely that companies will embark on it, because it can be done without disrupting the business, and appears to be more easily achievable.
He says that calling it digital evolution “Shifts the goal from completely rewriting your business to making it work better and more efficiently which is way more palatable to customers (and less scary).” And he concludes “Layering the right technology can help businesses evolve and grow rather than transforming it wholly.”
The Best Software Platform for Digital Evolution, Digital Transformation or Whatever You Want to Call It
No matter what you call the process, it requires writing better apps to make your business run better, better meet your customers’ needs, and improve productivity and the bottom line. And for that, you need the best possible development platform.
Alpha Software fits the bill. Alpha TransForm no-code software helps business users craft online or offline mobile apps in minutes. The apps can utilize the latest mobile features (camera, GPS, etc.) for fast, accurate data capture. Developers can even tie the apps into business process management systems. Get the no-code app builder.
Alpha Anywhere low code app development software has the unique ability to rapidly create applications and mobile forms with advanced features. These apps offer outstanding customer experiences and can easily access and integrate with any database or web service, and can exploit built-in role-based security or robust offline functionality. Build low-code apps for free.
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