This is especially so in recent times when the conversation has turned to digital transformation, with regular global events creating one of the most exciting but unpredictable eras the technology industry has witnessed.
With that in mind, compiling a digital transformation trends list has never been a more challenging exercise and their authors risk being left with eggs on their faces. However, the team at Probe CX loves nothing more than a challenge and, after much discussion and analysis, here are the six digital trends that we believe will stand the test of time.
1. Modularisation: enabling agility and flexibility
Modularisation is a key trend in digital transformation that is gaining traction and momentum. At its core, modularisation refers to the ability of an organisation to assemble and reassemble its digital capabilities in new and innovative ways to meet evolving business needs.
In essence, modularisation means that businesses can break down their technology infrastructure into smaller, modular components that can be mixed and matched to create new services, applications and workflows. By doing so, organisations can achieve greater agility, scalability and flexibility, enabling them to respond to changing market conditions and customer demands with greater speed and efficiency.
By building digital capabilities in small, discrete modules businesses can create tailored solutions that meet the specific needs of individual customers, while also maintaining the flexibility to pivot and adjust as those needs change.
Another advantage of modularisation is that it enables organisations to leverage the latest innovations and technologies more quickly and easily. By breaking down their digital infrastructure into smaller components, businesses can more easily integrate new capabilities and functionalities as they become available, without having to undertake large-scale, time-consuming projects to upgrade their entire technology stack.
2. Ecological responsibility for a greener future
As organisations increasingly recognise the impact of their operations on the environment, many are looking to technology to help them reduce their carbon footprint, conserve resources and promote sustainable practices.
This means leveraging technology to create solutions that are not only efficient but also environmentally responsible - everything from reducing energy consumption and waste to promoting renewable energy and sustainable supply chain practices.
One way in which technology is helping drive sustainability is through the use of data analytics and artificial intelligence. By collecting and analysing data on energy consumption, waste production and other environmental factors, organisations can identify areas where they can make improvements and implement more sustainable practices.
Another key area where technology is driving sustainability is the development of new, more efficient technologies. This can include everything from energy-efficient hardware and software to renewable energy solutions such as solar and wind power.
One of the most significant effects of sustainability on digital transformation is its potential to foster cultural change within organisations. By promoting sustainable practices, businesses can help to create a culture of sustainability that extends beyond their operations and into the wider community.
3. Digital resilience: protection in a digital age
Digital resilience refers to an organisation's ability to withstand and recover from cyberattacks, data breaches and other digital threats. This involves not only protecting against these threats but also having systems and processes in place to quickly detect and respond to them in the event that they do occur.
Digital resilience = strong cybersecurity posture. This means implementing robust security measures such as firewalls, antivirus software and encryption protocols to protect against cyber threats. It also involves regularly updating these measures to stay ahead of new and emerging threats.
Digital resilience also means having backup and recovery processes in place to ensure that critical data and systems can be quickly restored in the event of a breach or other digital disaster.
4. A manufacturing revolution
Endless words have been written about how artificial intelligence and machine learning are rewriting the business narrative but it is within manufacturing where some of the greatest change will be witnessed.
A recent Accenture report revealed AI-powered technologies will increase productivity in manufacturing by a jaw-dropping 40% by 20351, while a Boston Consulting Group study found that 86% of companies plan to deploy advanced robots in their operations within the next three to five years2. That said, businesses do face a challenge balancing their ambitions with execution given 92% of senior manufacturing executives believe digital technologies are a ticket to increased productivity but only 12% are making “significant use” of AI3.
5. The surge of customer data management platforms
A customer data management platform (CDP) is a platform that collects, integrates and manages customer data from a variety of sources, including websites, mobile apps, social media and other digital channels. By bringing all of this data together in a single platform, organisations can gain a more comprehensive view of their customers and use this insight to deliver more personalised and relevant experiences.
One of the key benefits of a CDP is that it enables organisations to create a unified customer profile that includes data from multiple touchpoints and channels. This allows businesses to better understand customer behaviour and preferences and deliver more targeted and effective marketing campaigns.
CDPs can also help to improve customer engagement and loyalty by delivering more personalised and relevant experiences. By leveraging data insights, businesses can create tailored content and experiences that resonate with customers and help to build stronger relationships.
As regulations around data privacy become increasingly stringent, organisations must ensure that they are collecting, storing and using customer data in a responsible and compliant manner. A CDP can help to facilitate this by providing robust security and compliance features that protect customer data and ensure that it is being used in accordance with regulations.
6. Hybrid cloud infrastructure: leveraging multiple cloud environments
Hybrid cloud infrastructure involves using a combination of public cloud, private cloud and on-premise IT resources to create a flexible and scalable infrastructure that can meet the specific needs of an organisation. This can include everything from using public cloud services for data storage and processing to using private clouds for sensitive workloads and applications.
By leveraging multiple cloud environments, businesses can scale their infrastructure up or down as needed, allowing them to quickly respond to changes in demand or market conditions. In addition, hybrid cloud infrastructure also offers greater security and control compared to public cloud environments alone using private clouds for sensitive workloads and applications.
Summary
Digital transformation has quickly evolved from the latest corporate buzzword to a concept that should be at the front of any executive’s mind if they are serious about the growth of their organisations. It is about reimagining how a company does business in the digital age and that means being one step ahead of the game. These six digital transformation market trends are a compelling insight into how the tech landscape is likely to evolve in the coming months and with that knowledge comes the potential for savvy organisations to trigger disruption, accelerate growth and deliver better customer and employee experiences.
Businesses have long aimed for the personal touch, be it investing in email marketing strategies or websites tailored to meet the individual needs of each visitor. Now learn how technology that was once the stuff of fiction has created the age of hyperpersonalistion, which is supercharging the art of customer service.
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