The Digitalization Ecosystem – Start Where You Are
Johan Elsner
Strategist transforming chaos into order by aligning tech with core business goals
While we have established that digitalization is more than just new systems and platforms, the rapid technological shifts create a complex environment to navigate. The choice of vendors, partners, and collaborations can be crucial in determining how far and how quickly an organization can drive its digital initiatives. In this article, we explore how to build and manage an ecosystem of suppliers that support an organization's digital goals, as well as how collaboration between different players can contribute to innovation, scalability, and faster implementation. We will also discuss cost-effective concepts such as "business-driven digitalization" and "start where you are," as well as how system providers’ integrated ecosystems continue to expand.
From Isolated Solutions to Ecosystems
Traditionally, many companies have viewed IT and digitalization as problems solved with individual technical tools or projects. Organizations purchased a ready-made solution, installed it, and hoped the business would adapt accordingly. However, as customer demands, employee expectations, and market requirements grow, it has become clear that a more holistic approach is needed.
Business-driven digitalization takes a comprehensive view, where technology is not just a tool for efficiency but an integrated part of how the business operates and evolves. This involves connecting everything from internal processes to customer experiences—often in real time and across multiple channels. Success requires a seamless and flexible experience, where potentially numerous different systems and services must be able to work together.
The Growing Ecosystems of System Providers
At the same time, major system providers have recognized the value of offering subscription-based solutions that continuously evolve, aiming to cover all customer needs. These ecosystems increasingly include everything from bundled licensing and integration platforms to dedicated partner networks.
For organizations embarking on a digital transformation journey, choosing a vendor that offers a broad portfolio of services—under one roof—can be tempting. On one hand, this can provide benefits such as smoother integration, centralized support, and a clearer strategic direction. On the other hand, there is a risk of becoming too dependent on a single vendor's technology and philosophy, which can make future adjustments or transitions more difficult.
This is where the principle of "start where you are" becomes essential. It means beginning by identifying the actual needs and conditions within the organization. What systems and processes are already functioning well? What problems need immediate solutions? What are the long-term visions, and how can progress be made step by step without completely overhauling everything? Perhaps the necessary resources are already in place.
Building a Successful Ecosystem
When establishing such an architecture, it is important to think long-term and strategically. Key factors to consider include:
Collaboration for Innovation and Growth
A key advantage of viewing vendors as part of an ecosystem is the ability to create an environment where different players inspire and challenge each other. Instead of each supplier working in isolation, they can contribute their specific expertise, which can then be combined with the organization’s internal resources.
By driving innovation through business-driven digitalization, it is often frontline employees who possess the knowledge about which processes can be improved or what new digital opportunities exist. Combining this internal competence with vendors’ specialized expertise opens the door to solutions that might otherwise have gone undiscovered.
Another aspect is time efficiency. When multiple experts collaborate, organizations can avoid long ramp-up periods and get new services into production more quickly. This is especially evident when vendors already have prepared APIs, integration modules, and proven methodologies for expanding a shared platform.
"Start Where You Are" – An Effective Path to Digitalization
A common mistake is underestimating the resources that already exist within an organization. Perhaps internal IT personnel already have deep knowledge of certain systems, or employees have developed their own tools that could be scaled up. "Start where you are" means identifying these existing assets and seeing how they can be combined with new elements in the vendor ecosystem.
Instead of starting from scratch, organizations can incorporate existing systems and processes into a broader digital ecosystem. This reduces redundancy, lowers costs, and speeds up implementation.
Conclusion: Digitalization Through Ecosystems and Smart Collaboration
In an increasingly complex digital world, no organization can succeed entirely on its own. The choice of partners, vendors, and collaborations has a major impact on how successful a digital transformation will be. By thinking in terms of ecosystems rather than isolated solutions, organizations can build a robust, flexible, and business-driven digitalization approach that fosters both innovation and growth.
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The key lies in having a clear vision, prioritizing integration and interoperability, and creating a culture of collaboration. Finally, it is crucial to recognize the value of "starting where you are"—identifying and strengthening existing resources while finding the right partners to fill competency or technology gaps.
Given the pace of development, the digital ecosystems of the future are likely to become even more complex and extensive. Organizations that want to stay ahead should therefore establish strong partnerships, formalize integrations, and build an open and collaborative culture today. When digitalization is no longer seen as just a project or vision—but rather as an ongoing, business-driven process—it becomes a true competitive advantage.
V?ster?s 2025-01-21
(Translated using ChatGPT 2025-02-16)
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