Digitization, Digitalization, and Digital Transformation

The terms "digitalization," "digitalization," and "digital transformation" are all used interchangeably.

They may sound similar, but they are not, despite the fact that they are all part of the same experience. Kenyan businesses have experienced adaptation and the introduction of programs to help them digitize in order to be sustainable in the challenging economy that developed from the pandemic during the last two years.

It might be as simple as placing your customer data on your computer or creating a digital inventory of your products, but digitization is the ability to make data and processes digital. While digitization is being used to disrupt work, it is also being used to revolutionize how customers and businesses interact, as well as to establish new, digital revenue sources. Joining an e-commerce platform to reach a larger audience is the perfect illustration of digitalization.

The term "digital transformation" refers to the entire digitization and digitalization process. It's the technique of fast adjusting to changing circumstances through the use of technology and digitized data. It boosts employee productivity and creativity, as well as decision-making, connectedness, innovation, and organizational enhancement.

Many groups have received money to help businesses adapt digitally in the last two years, and over 10,000 enterprises have taken advantage of the opportunity to discover new ways to grow their businesses. Typically, social networking, content production, aftersales, and e-commerce are included. These are just a few of the strategies that firms might employ to stay afloat in the current economic climate.

The majority of SMEs and MSMEs use readily available social media, followed by a surge in new e-commerce platform sign-ups; however, these are not the only tools available to help with digital transformation. Smart devices, cloud computing, fog computing, cognitive computing, social media, networking, big data, analytics, and artificial intelligence are among the technologies employed in these digital transformation processes. Of course, the technology you utilize is determined by the size of your company; the larger the company, the more technology it employs.

Organizations that embrace digital transformation may become more flexible, quickly detecting, responding to, and adapting to changes in consumer and employee expectations and needs. What is the significance of digital transformation? It is so significant that large international organizations have begun to adapt it.

I recently spoke with a multinational communication business about filling a digital seat, and it was surprising to hear how they've grown to embrace digital communication as part of their overall communication strategy. Sister companies are creating their own digital department to better service their clients using their own internal staff, despite the fact that they have digital solutions.

Another global business consulting firm brought together a large number of digital practitioners from all over the world to train us on their new business line, including information technology, strategists, programmers, data scientists, data engineers, designers, analysts, digital product developers, and software engineering. They've put together entire systems, personnel, and procedures to develop new digital products and services for its global customers, as well as recruit talent from all over the world.

The pressure for businesses to be more efficient, accessible, engaging, and honest with their customers has found many organizations unprepared and learning how to improve quickly. Consumers want convenience in their purchasing process, therefore firms should focus on it and offer it.