One of the most important recent business trends, digitization is a profound transformation of activities, competencies, processes, and models to leverage the capabilities and impact of digital technologies, all while keeping both present needs and future opportunities in mind.

Business owners across the globe have been hearing quite a bit about digital transformation over the last few years. Some may have already started digitizing certain aspects of their enterprises. Every time you hear about digitization, you may be wondering how the digital transformation can improve your own business. Fortunately, you don’t have to start the digital transformation journey on your own. Companies like PositiveVision offer business software consulting to help you determine the benefits of digital transformation for your business and help you implement it.

What is Digital Transformation?

Digital transformation means taking advantage of the capabilities offered by a range of new and exciting digital technologies. They have the potential to radically change how you plan and execute your business structures and strategies. The potential impact of these new technologies is hard to overstate and has coined the use of terms such as “the fourth industrial revolution” and “industry 4.0.”

Digital transformation is about much more than merely technology or disruption, although it involves a great deal of both. The human element is still a key factor: Digital transformation is not intended to replace people. Rather, it involves giving them new ways to connect with each other, and with smart devices. It offers new ways to collaborate and extract value from business data and offer better user and customer experiences.

Ultimately, digital transformation is about empowering the people in your organization to work smarter while also enabling your business to exploit previously inaccessible opportunities. If you’re just starting to dip a toe in, take a look at these five ways digital transformation can benefit your business.

1. Data Makes it Faster

A digital business is a faster business. You can make and act on decisions more rapidly than competitors who have failed to digitize. With all your business data at your fingertips, you’ll be able to make informed assessments based on trends and predictions founded on hard facts. Very few businesses have too little data; it’s in using it effectively that the challenge lies. Not using the data well means you are effectively stumbling around in the dark.

2. Break Down the Walls

Digital transformation helps break down barriers between departments within your business. It is the perfect antidote to the silo mentality found in many companies, especially the larger ones. By giving everyone access to the same data and digital tools, it empowers colleagues to share ideas and ask questions. It fosters innovation and multi-disciplinary team building. When you digitize your business, you’ll find that the best ideas can—and do—come from anywhere within your organization. You’ll also be able to integrate every aspect of your operations, from supply chain to social media.

3. Close the Digital Knowledge Gap

If you have a multi-generational workforce, you may find that there is a digital knowledge gap between older people (often those in decision-making roles) and younger, digital natives. This can cause internal issues, as the people responsible for devising and driving strategies may well not have nearly the same grasp of digitization as the more junior employees tasked with implementing these strategies. In addition to facilitating inter-generational dialogue and idea-sharing, digital transformation is the ideal opportunity to upskill your entire team.

4. Deeper Customer Understanding

Digital transformation gives you a much better handle on your data, including data information on customer buying history, preferences, and opinions. This lets you craft a more compelling narrative in your advertising and target your marketing much more precisely. You can also use the analytical power of software packages and algorithms to predict trends on both a macro- and micro-level. When you digitize your business, you’ll find that you will likely know what your customers want even before they do.

5. Near Immediate ROI

As you inoculate a digital mindset throughout your business, you’ll benefit from not just a cultural shift, but savings achieved through greater efficiencies. While there are upfront costs associated with any new technology or software, you’ll see the benefits almost immediately. In addition, digital transformation makes companies more agile, able to outsmart their rivals. Ultimately, digital transformation is about making your business not just profitable, but sustainable.

Going Digital at Work With PositiveVision Business Software Consulting

Digital transformation is an exciting prospect, but if you’re just getting started, it could feel a bit overwhelming, leaving you at a loss as to where to even begin. Fortunately, PositiveVision has been helping small and mid-sized manufacturing and distribution companies implement the right business software and begin digitization for years. Such a critical decision with so much potential to impact your bottom line seems daunting. PositiveVision will be with you start to finish, helping you select the right solutions for your business’ needs so you can achieve your business objectives.

Get started on your digital transformation today by contacting PositiveVision.