Introduction to Digital Transformation Technologies

The right digitalization technology can make your business reach new heights, while the wrong one can cripple it.

Digital transformation (DX) is the process of integrating technology into every aspect of an organization. It's about leveraging technology to improve operations, leading to faster processes, reduced waste and cost, improved decision-making, and better member or customer experiences.

Let’s take a look at the ten best technologies that can help member-based organizations accelerate digital transformation.

1. Mobile Technology

Mobile Technology is a fundamental element to drive digital transformation.

According to the latest survey, 71% of CEOs believe that mobile solutions are more important than IoT and cloud computing for transformation, while 29% rank it as the second most important technology. This demonstrates that almost all business leaders understand the importance of mobile technology in digitalization.

Mobile devices increase the speed and frequency of interactions between companies and their customers. These interactions allow access to real-time data that is nearly impossible to replicate through any other means. They also allow marketers to collect valuable data to grow their existing customer base or develop new markets. Businesses are leveraging tools such as QR Code generators to create QR Codes that can provide a truly mobile-first experience.

Similarly, a mobile-friendly interface is crucial for every organization's online presence. For member-based organizations, this means creating applications, websites, and online communities that are optimized for mobile devices.

2. Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) consists of a large network of connected systems that can collect and share information without manual input. The technology links the sensors of the devices with a centralized IoT platform that extracts and stores data from them. These are then analyzed to share valuable information with the leaders.

IoT can also identify which data is useful and which can be safely discarded. It can be used to identify patterns, suggest solutions, and forecast possible issues.

Member-based organizations can use IoT solitary or in combination with other tools to accelerate digital transformation. It can boost efficiency, reduce costs, and future-proof their businesses by offering innovative solutions to their members.

3. Robotics

According to the latest statistics, every one in four organizations uses robotics to incorporate digitization into their tasks. In contrast to traditional robotics, it is capable of interacting with humans and improving their performance based on the information it receives.

Smart robotics when combined with AI and IoT can drive powerful results in companies. They can enhance user experience, boost efficiency, and improve productivity tenfold. A great example of smart robotics in member-based organizations is the use of gamification technology at virtual events to improve attendees' experiences.

It incorporates gaming principles into the virtual meetings including competitions, goals, points, and challenges to engage attendees. As a result, it serves as an ice breaker by encouraging participants to speak and exchange ideas about how to solve problems together.

4. Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning

Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning go hand in hand when it comes to finding the best digital technologies in business.

Artificial intelligence refers to the ability of computers to simulate what people think and do in the real world. It is incorporated in almost all high-end technologies we used today including smart devices, computer vision, natural language processors, and voice assistants. It allows companies including membership organizations to automate tasks, make faster decisions, and engage customers through chatbots.?This is why AI marketing is on the rise, as it allows companies to craft more targeted campaigns and understand customers' needs better.

Machine learning is a category of artificial intelligence that focuses on the use of algorithms and data to emulate how human brains learn, gradually increasing its accuracy. It works by extracting insights and patterns from the input data. It allows systems to evaluate and contextualize data so that information or actions are automatically triggered without human assistance.

By using powerful digitalization tools such as machine learning and AI in their digital transformation roadmap and strategies, organizations can gain better insight into data and make more informed decisions more quickly. analyze data — to learn complex patterns and make predictions independent of human input.

5. Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality is one of the buzzing new digital technologies used by several industries. Simply explained, augmented reality (AR) is a virtual augmentation of the physical world by adding digital elements, sounds, and other sensory stimuli.

AR uses mobile technology coupled with real-time data to generate visual graphics. This blended view offers a virtual glimpse of the systems that help operators and customers in different capacities. The best way to understand it is in product development. AR allows entrepreneurs to evaluate 3D virtual models of new products, which can be easily modified without having to develop a prototype.

Member-based organizations use this digital technology to enhance the attendees' experience during events. Managers can show potential visitors what to expect at the event by creating a virtual walk-through based on the previous event footage. Similarly, it can help them build a virtual brand experience for customers during product demos.

6. Big Data and Real-Time Analytics

Big data analytics is an imperative digital technology that decodes complex data to reveal important information such as customer patterns (including their behavior and interests), market trends, and unknown correlations.

The size of big data can range from terabytes to zettabytes, and it can be structured, unstructured, or semi-structured. Due to the complexity of the data, traditional analysis methods cannot decode the information, which allows big data to provide real-time analysis to help make informed decisions.

The real-time analysis help membership organizations in several ways, which include:

• To gain new insights and take action, businesses can access and analyze large amounts of data from various sources.
• Large amounts of data can be stored and analyzed more efficiently with flexible data processing and storage tools.
• Create new products and services based on customer needs and potential risks.

7. Digital Twin

Digital Twin creates a virtual clone of a process or a service using 3D modeling. It is used to replicate processes that collect data from simulations to predict their performances. These can then be connected with other digital transformation technologies such as IoT, AI, and big data to drive innovation.

There are the four following types of digital twins, based on their functions:

1. Component Twins: Clones of a small functioning part of the system.
2. Asset Twins: They simulate the interactions between two or more components.
3. Unit Twins: Replicates a unified system of multiple components working together.
4. Process Twins: They are the digital clones of the entire operating system.

An enterprise may use more than one type of twin, depending on requirements. For member-based organizations, digital twins can enable data-driven insights, optimized membership journeys, increased member trust, and improved competitive position.

Additionally, it allows nonprofits to process information more efficiently, improve donor personas, boost volunteer participation, lower operating costs, and streamline processes.

8. API-Based Integrations

API integration is a powerful technology that is used by nearly all digital transformation platforms. It connects two or more systems through their APIs to allow a seamless data exchange between them.

When incorporated into a platform, It hosts a central hub where programs are saved based on their API. From there, it maintains a Dialog flow by detecting the intent requests and responding to them with the right API.

For instance, whenever a system tends to create or alter a service, the API-based integration finds the desired app from the vast database based on its API and integrates it into the service. Thus, it allows member-based organizations to create new services or features by choosing the right application from the unified system.

Membership organizations rely on API integrations to sync data, improve productivity, and boost revenue. Since it replaces several digital tools, it also enhances workflows, prevents system disruptions, and reduces overall costs.

9. Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is the newest technology that uses bots, AI, and chatbots to automate manual tasks. It provides organizations with streamlined workflows, optimized outcomes, fewer errors, and robust system management to drive digital transformation.

There are endless uses of RPA in a member-based organization; however, they are mostly used for tasks with a potential for human error, such as maintaining invoicing, migrating data, and auditing data.

It works by simulating user actions ranging from simple clicks and copy-paste business operations to more complex workflows and billing activities. In advanced cases, they rebuild the entire workflow to allow faster and more precise operations, validation, and verification without the necessity to pause and verify.

Additionally, RPA consists of big-data analytics that enable organizations to gain real-time knowledge of their member patterns. Using this information, associations can improve their digital transformation strategies to become more successful and efficient.

10. Cloud-Based Technology

Cloud is an inevitable component in digital transformation that provides flexibility, scalability, and agility to organizations. Traditional storage services aren't adequate for handling large amounts of data cost-effectively and securely.

As a result, more industries are shifting to the cloud over time. The technology stores all the data in the cloud, freeing organizations from the hassles of downloading heavy files, finding IT experts, or manually updating their programs.

The best cloud technology for managing memberships is a SaaS (Software as a Service). Organizations that have members can take advantage of this technology to strengthen relationships, boost engagements, and automate tasks.

The best example here is Glue Up’s membership management software that enables professional communities to grow and thrive. The platform includes a powerful CRM that acts as an essential link between various modules, including memberships, events, campaigns, communities, and analytics.