Digital transformation is a must do; we are no longer talking about something that might happen, maybe, someday; instead, we are pointing a reality that is already here, already moving, already demanding closer attention on the enterprise side.
More than just a buzzword, digital transformation means the integration of digital technology into all areas of a business, changing the way it operates and delivers value to customers. But we are not only talking about IT here, as this is also a cultural change that requires organizations to continually challenge the status quo, experiment, and accept with no regrets, whenever the failure comes.
So, the question for the IT managers is: do you really know what to do when it comes to digital transformation projects, specifically on your organization?
Which competencies are needed? What do you have to carry out along with digital transformation projects?
First of all, keep in mind that you are never woefully behind your most direct competitors. One of the biggest misconceptions in this area is that all of the “other” companies are much further ahead of the game than we are. That’s because we are just looking for the fastest transformers, letting behind what we may call “the hard lessons” to be learned on digital transformation, such as how long it may take for a typical company to do so.
So, as businesses formulate their own digital transformation strategy, there are plenty of lessons to be learned from “the others”, the ones that have already begun their journeys and got some bumps on the way…or not.
One of them is to have very good skills in things like data analytics, software development and cybersecurity. In fact, a digital transformation project is something that will incur a high volume of data, so IT managers must be experts on managing data analytics or database administration, among some others.
It is vital to invest in non-routine tasks so IT managers must be able to think creatively, show cognitive flexibility and emotional intelligence.
When it comes to cybersecurity, let us remind that vital data is stored, accessed and exchanged over these new platforms for daily business, operations. This is a way of considerably increasing the risk of information loss and a threat to data. Cybersecurity plays a critical role and it should be the top priority of organizations on their way into digital transformation.
On the other side, it is also important to have an environment that promotes change management skills and values concepts like creativity, adaptability and learnability. As technology replaces repetitive manual tasks, it is vital to invest in non-routine tasks so IT managers (as well as all the organization employees) must be able to think creatively, show cognitive flexibility and emotional intelligence. And, it goes without saying, that a broad digital literacy is more than welcomed when developing digital transformation projects in an enterprise.
Continuous learning approach (or the capability for the workforce to learn, re-learn and digitally literate themselves on a continuous basis) is what we are talking about here.
Another import lesson to be learned is the importance to choose the right IT partner, the best supplier, to run along this journey with you; someone that has the expertise, the skills, the products, the services and the right know-how to help you develop a well-succeeded project. Blue Screen is the answer. Being an OutSystems partner since 2013, putting together an agile team of professional experts; this way it is easier to meet all the requirements to deliver innovation and efficiency to its customers and help enterprise companies implementing their digital transformation strategies.
With low-code development platforms, organizations are transforming businesses with applications delivered 6 to 10 times faster, when compared to traditional application development
Thousands of customers around the world have already trusted OutSystems as the number one low-code platform for rapid application development; the right supplier to offer the better products and services. It delivers enterprise-grade multi-channel applications and offers the only solution to combine visual full-stack app dev with continuous lifecycle management. With this partnership, Blue Screen’s customers are transforming their businesses with applications delivered 6 to 10 times faster, when compared to traditional application development.
But, if you still have doubts, keep in mind that, in order to help IT managers to acquire the most needed skills here, Blue Screen is putting on a workshop around Digital Transformation, in Portugal. It will happen early next year, and it will be based on what Blue Screen presented in the eBook Digital Transformation. Discussions will not only point the concrete definition for digital transformation but also how to create a roadmap or the main advantages low-code brings to it.
Gain and develop skills for digital transformation: start by downloading our eBook “Create a Culture of Digital Business Transformation“
But Digital Transformation projects are not specifically from one country; they are happening in Portugal, as well as in, Spain, UK, Denmark, Sweden, USA or on the Asian region as a whole.
In terms of the European region, and according to the Digital Transformation Scoreboard 2018, developed by the European Union, cybersecurity, blockchain and artificial intelligence are the three most popular technologies and technological solutions in 2017, and the UK, Spain, Denmark, and Luxembourg are the most digitally aware European countries.
The Digital Transformation Scoreboard 2018 data analysis shows that «more Member States perform considerably above the EU-28 average in terms of digital technology integration». In this case, northern and western EU Member States «score highest in terms of digital transformation» whilst improvements «are necessary for eastern and southern Member States, which still lag behind».
The Salvation Army USA, with 6,000 employees, has chosen the low-code approach, as it is far simpler and less time-consuming. Also Bswift, that became a part of CVS Health, a Chicago-based company, has chosen OutSystems low-code platform.
The Digital Transformation Scoreboard surveyed EU companies of the food and construction sectors, screened national policies and analysed in a macro-perspective approach a wide range of national data sourced from Eurostat, national statistics offices and international organizations.
Besides the different nature and degree of digital adoption of the two surveyed industries, the outcomes of the survey conducted for the Scoreboard show that in both sectors more than 70% of the companies have invested in digital technologies to improve their production processes. At the same time, almost 90% of them declare to be fully aware of the new prospects of the Digital Revolution.
A total of 19 national digital transformation policies and programs were analysed. Almost «2/3 of EU Member States have made the digitisation of their industries a priority, adopting large-scale policies and related initiatives to increase productivity and competitiveness and improve the digital skills of their workforce».
Still, according to the survey, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and the Netherlands have the most advanced digital economies in the EU followed by Luxembourg, Ireland, the UK, Belgium and Estonia. Romania, Greece and Italy have the lowest scores on the DESI.
The evolution of digital transformation in Europe: – Denmark, Sweden, UK and Spain in detail
Denmark
Denmark ranks 1st out of the 28 EU Member States in DESI 2018, by the EU. The country made progress in most dimensions, with the exception of Integration of Digital Technology. Denmark «made outstanding progress in the use of digital technologies by enterprises, leading the EU and the world rankings». However, some indicators show areas for potential improvement. Denmark belongs to the high-performing cluster of countries.
In January 2018, the Danish government launched a new digital strategy, which consists of 38 initiatives, structured under seven main pillars. The strategy aims at bringing Denmark to the forefront of digital development, to create the best foundation for Danish companies and exploit new sources of digital growth.
Sweden
Sweden now ranks 2nd after Denmark. Overall progress is in line with the EU average as well as the countries in the high-performance cluster. Swedish businesses «actively use digital technologies to improve efficiency, productivity and sales».
UK
The United Kingdom ranks 7th out of the 28 EU Member States in DESI 2018. Use of digital technologies by businesses in the UK shows a mixed picture. «While the use of Social Media, Cloud and eCommerce is relatively high», use of Electronic Information Sharing, RFID and eInvoices «is very low and showing little improvement». To get the full benefits of the digital transformation, the UK needs, in particular, «to improve business integration of digital technologies, the level and availability of digital skills and some elements of its digital public service provision». The United Kingdom belongs to the high performing cluster of countries.
Spain
Spain ranks 10th out of the 28 EU Member States in the European Commission Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2018. The country made the most progress when it came to the use of digital technologies by businesses. More Spanish businesses use social media, eInvoices, cloud and e-commerce. Among all dimensions, Spain ranks highest in the eGovernment domain. Spain belongs to the medium performance cluster of countries.
How to make the digital transformation happen before it’s too late? Blue Screen can help you with this process. If you are looking for a partner, feel free to contact us.
[2020 update] This text was last updated on March 2020.