From data analytics to generative AI, these are proven starting points to digital transformation for engineers.
It’s easy to become overwhelmed when seeking ways to digitally transform your business. Fortunately, there are plenty of mature, negligible risk technologies that can quickly kickstart your transformation. Here are the top five to try out in the new year.
1. Data analytics and visualization
Data analytics examines datasets to identify trends and draw conclusions. Data visualization is the graphical representation of data and information. Specialized systems and software packages support these capabilities.
Data analytics and visualization software can deliver a quick, often low-cost digital transformation win for engineers because:
- Initial software license fees are free or ultra-low
- Data visualization always appeals to end-users tired of looking at spreadsheets
- Most data analytics and visualization software support the citizen developer model, where end-users build their own charts and dashboards without the help of an experienced software developer
Typically, the implementation of one data analytics and visualization software package requires the following:
- End-user training
- Development of database views to simplify queries
- Data integration software development
Avoid committing to building a supporting data warehouse and too much data integration because it takes time, costs money and will flounder due to data quality lapses.
2. Robotic process automation
Robotic process automation (RPA) software emulates how humans interact with digital systems. Like humans, RPA software can understand what’s on a screen and complete the required keystrokes.
An RPA application can deliver a quick, often low-cost digital transformation win in a well-defined engineering business area.
Typically, an RPA implementation for one business process requires:
- Software licensing and configuration
- End-user training
- Business process adjustments
Avoid implementing robotic process automation for too many business processes. Give preference to a business area with a significant volume of small, well-understood transactions and data that will advance the company’s digital transformation plan.
3. Software-as-a-service (SaaS)
SaaS vendors offer cloud-based software packages to their customers. In addition to accessing application functionality, customers outsource the operation of the supporting computing infrastructure to SaaS vendors.
An application based on a SaaS solution can deliver a quick digital transformation win because little or no software development and interaction with the corporate IT department is required.
SaaS solutions are appealing to engineers because of:
- An astonishing variety and richness of functionality available from various vendors
- Modest monthly operating costs
- Immediately visible business benefits
- SaaS allows you to easily avoid custom software development that takes time, costs money and comes with various risks
Typically, a single SaaS implementation requires:
- SaaS acquisition
- End-user training
- Data conversion
- Some data integration software development
- Business process adjustments
Avoid digital transformation opportunities that require complex SaaS solutions and significant data integration software development.
4. Mobile apps
Mobile apps are software packages specifically designed for tablets and smartphones. The Apple App Store and Google Play offer multiple apps that are useful for digital transformation. The most widely used ones are for data entry and process automation. Examples include Forms on Fire and Process Runner. Many app developers also build custom apps for companies.
Mobile apps on tablets and smartphones can deliver a quick, often low-cost digital transformation by replacing manual data capture and improving data accessibility. These projects can be particularly fast if employees already use tablets and smartphones for other purposes.
Typically, implementing one mobile app requires:
- Hardware acquisition
- App licensing and configuration
- End-user training
- Business process adjustments
Avoid implementing mobile apps for too many employee groups or on too many Android versions. Focus on data that will advance the company’s digital transformation plan.
5. Generative AI
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology that can produce several types of content for engineers: text, imagery, audio and synthetic data are a few common examples.
The explosion of generative AI software and the related large learning models (LLMs) have caused many engineers to explore how generative AI can advance digital transformation.
The rapid pace of generative AI development in 2023 means that carefully focused applications can already be implemented with minimal risk and high confidence. The major applications are:
- Identifying and correcting data gaps and errors
- Developing better software faster for digital transformation
- Identifying appropriate metadata for datasets
- Creating synthetic data that augments data from real-world data sources
- Creating training data for LLMs
Typically, implementing generative AI to improve one data source requires the following:
- Acquiring generative AI software
- Training developers and end-users
- Identifying specific opportunities to improve and create data
- Enhancing and producing data that advances digital transformation
Avoid taking on too much scope, such as developing software or tuning an LLM. To deliver a quick digital transformation win, focus on generating quality data to advance the company’s digital transformation plan.
Because generative AI is such a hot topic, the use of this technology by a digital transformation project will immediately generate interest in applying this technology to other applications.
Selection criteria for easy-to-implement digital transformation technologies
These five quick-win digital transformation technologies are from a much longer list that includes a wide range of risks and implementation complexity. You only need to pick one to kickstart digital transformation for your organization.
Don’t become so enthralled by a specific technology that you overlook the need for a solid business case. The selection criteria engineers can consider for technologies that can quickly kickstart digital transformation include:
- Irrefutable business benefit
- Proven software
- Low implementation cost
- Modest operation cost
- Low disruption/easy implementation
- Low risk
Common digital transformation project risks
The key to kickstarting digital transformation is to deliver a quick win. A quick win is achieved by modest scope, working with low-risk data, avoiding software development and completing the project on time.
Often, engineers find that their digital transformation projects are asked to improve management reporting, resolve data integration issues and correct data quality problems. Engineers should encourage management to start other projects to address these topics and not distract the digital transformation project.
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Yogi Schulz has over 40 years of Information Technology experience in various industries. He writes for ITWorldCanada and other trade publications. Yogi works extensively in the petroleum industry to select and implement financial, production revenue accounting, land & contracts, and geotechnical systems. He manages projects that arise from changes in business requirements, from the need to leverage technology opportunities and from mergers. His specialties include IT strategy, web strategy, and systems project management.
