Digital Tools to Power Continuous Transformations

What are the core group of digital tools that are must-haves for your organisation’s continuous improvements?

Any C-suite leader knows that the majority of organisations today have undergone some form of digital transformation – it’s one of many ways businesses are adapting to new consumer-driven trends in the industry.

Integrating digital technology into all areas of your business is arguably a more efficient way to modernise internal processes, strengthen security and create a better overall workflow. Now that the majority of organisations are at this stage, which digital tools can help keep up this continuous digital transformation?

For those technology leaders who are looking to improve productivity within their organisation or are in search of something to help their team adapt to the digital culture shift taking place; the options are plentiful when it comes to looking for the right tools. This could range from collaborative suites and applications that improve customer experiences to cloud storage tools which improve operational efficiency.

Explore the array of digital tools your organisation can utilise to continue to enjoy the benefits of their digital transformation.

Digital tools: overview

1. Content management systems (CMS)
2. Customer relationship management (CRM)
3. Cloud storage
4. Collaborative suites
5. Communication tools
6. Project management

Content Management Systems (CMS)

The CMS digital tool allows website owners to easily manage and organise their content. The benefits of using a CMS are numerous. This includes increased efficiency, improved website functionality and better search engine optimisation (SEO). With a CMS, website owners can easily update and publish new content without any coding knowledge, saving them time and money. CMS tools also offer a wide range of plugins and add-ons to enhance website functionality, such as e-commerce capabilities or social media integration. Additionally, CMS platforms are designed to optimise websites for search engines, ensuring that content is easily discoverable by potential customers or readers. In short, CMS digital tools are essential for anyone looking to streamline their website management process and improve their online presence.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

CRM tools are software applications designed to help businesses manage and analyse their interactions with customers and potential customers. In other words, these platforms focus on transactional data and activity from known customers. These tools provide a centralised database for customer information, which can be accessed and analysed by different departments within an organisation. CRM tools can help businesses improve customer satisfaction and loyalty, revamp their marketing processes and gain insights into customer behaviour and preferences. These tools are particularly useful in digital transformation because they help businesses adapt to the changing needs and expectations of customers. By leveraging the available data and analytics, businesses can further personalise their interactions with customers, deliver targeted marketing campaigns and improve the customer’s overall experience.

Cloud storage

The cloud is described as the centre of digital transformation, with more organisations taking a cloud-first approach. Technology market analyst Canalys found that cloud infrastructure services expenditure around the globe grew by 23 percent in the last quarter of the fiscal year 2022, coming to a total spend of $65.8 billion. As a result, the cloud has become an essential part of digital transformation as it offers a range of benefits that can help businesses adapt to the rapidly changing digital landscape. One of the primary benefits of cloud storage is its scalability, which allows businesses to easily adjust their storage capacity based on their needs. This also eliminates the need for on-premises storage infrastructure, reducing costs and further improving operational efficiency, allowing teams to work remotely or on-the-go. Additionally, cloud storage enables remote access to data, making it easier for teams to collaborate and work from anywhere in the world. To take this even further, some organisations would opt for a multi-cloud vendor approach. This method of using a variety of different cloud services allows for more flexibility to optimise performance and expand their cloud infrastructure. On the other hand, others believe that on-premise applications are more reliable and secure within their in-house servers and IT infrastructure. 

Collaborative suites

Collaboration tools are software applications that allow individuals and teams to work together on projects, share information and communicate in real-time. The main benefit of collaborative suites is improved communication, making it easier for team members to stay in touch and work together even when they are spread out in different locations. Additionally, this type of tools can help streamline workflows and automate routine tasks, which allows more time to prioritise any other important work. Most importantly, collaborative suites are a centralised platform for team members to share ideas, work on projects together and provide feedback in real-time, improving collaboration and teamwork. For those organisations taking advantage of the hybrid and remote working models, collaborative suites are a practical tool to have on hand. When it comes to the future of work, ensuring that humans and systems are working together seamlessly is key. Collaboration tools and incorporating business innovations for the future have a key role in the digital transformation journey.

Communication tools

Much like collaborative suites, communications tools are software applications designed to facilitate communication between individuals and teams in different locations or time zones. In other words, collaboration is the key to improved communication and interactions. Enabling real-time communication is essential for an organisation’s digital transformation and productivity. Not to mention, this provides the hybrid and remote workers of the team with greater accessibility and provides feedback on projects in real-time using instant messages, email and video conferencing. One of the lesser known benefits of collaboration tools is the skills it can teach team members, improving their confidence and efficiency in this area.

Project management

These tools are vital in digital transformation as they enable teams to manage a variety of complex projects in a rapidly changing digital landscape. Project management tools provide a centralised platform for teams to manage tasks, set priorities, allocate resources and monitor progress in real-time. In addition to this, it also enables teams to collaborate on projects and share information easily, improving communication and teamwork. Equipped with the right tools to manage data and analytics, teams are able to make better informed decisions and optimise their workflows. One phrase that comes up when discussing project management tools is ‘seamless collaboration’. These tools allow team members to assign tasks to specific individuals, set deadlines and monitor progress, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals.

Digital tools – a recap

There are a number of reasons why organisations should strive to keep up the pace of their digital transformation. When it comes to the ‘how’, both technology and marketing leaders know that changing both internal and external practices is necessary. The key to maintaining this is by selecting the right technology, software applications and digital tools. Honing in on operational efficiency means using CMS, CRM, cloud storage, collaborative, communication and project management systems. ​​The employment of a greater number of digital tools and applications can facilitate a more seamless digital transformation process for any organisation.

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