Digital Transformation and Data Centers

Things are not changing fast enough in the organization data centers. Is that the problem? Strategy on the final direction and technical planning on interim is not something most current small or midsize Organizations managers have had to deal with in the past. Organizations need to keep track of what IT assets they have no matter where they reside. The problem is that many organization depend on tools by existing Vendors they currently have today which may not be the best for their future. Is there truly one vendor and one tool? 

Digital Transformation is big and is being stated as one of the next trends organizations have to make to be and stay competitive. What is Digital Transformation? Digital Transformation is analyzing data (Analytics) to improve the customer experience. Since this is a generic term and is not a one size fits all statement we need to better break this down. What we are talking about is leveraging what you have and use it in another way. Changes and automation are what we have been talking about with Optimization of a data center for a while. The organization needs to design and provide a new service delivery model and roadmap for savings through process improvements, standard technology process automation. New topics for helping in automation are going beyond scripting and include adding Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Please note the importance is where your organization is on the Data Center and Digital Transformation maturity level today and what you do as you are transforming.

Here are some basic key items for Digital Automation

• Online Presence - the ability for your organization to be found 
• Digital Marketing - the ability to use and leverage the online world (Mobil application, Use of Social Media websites, Blogs, and electronic newsletters/emails
• Selling online - ability to complete the deal interactively
• Cyber Security (Most take a front seat- Clients must feel safe while interacting with your organization)
• Organization must achieve Optimization or Efficiencies through the use of technology and process they are using 
• ** special note ** Customer Success - giving customer the way to interact with your company they feel comfortable with - This is where you need to spend a lot of time first is how do your clients of today and future want to interact with your  ( a mobile device, desktop computer, traditional phone call or social media. It should require minimal effort from the customer to find the information, service or product they are looking for.)

Once you have the base client you will need to go back to Customer Relationship Management 101 by:

Organizations need to capture and collate information about your clients, track contacts, Contact interactions, track the performance of your digital and traditional strategies and marketing to your clients, linking customers information with your business and accounting software.     

Many success stories include the use of Cloud - I am not sure it by itself is the answer as a main Element of transformation. I believe it shows the organization ability to do the above basic elements hopefully in a successful manner.

What else do you need to know to succeed?

** Start looking at Vendor Independence. Since you may or may not own the infrastructure you need tools that;

* Talk machine to machine for accurate and updated information. 

* Have a high level of cybersecurity

* Provide Organization information, tools that allow quick response to change

* Organizations need Experienced people to help get them there

*Organizations need management to learn, adapt and change with Transformation

** Reduce silos - The Organization is ONE.

It is time to be strategic, plan and execute the organizations Digital Transformation.