Digital transformation: Is your business ready for it?

Telecommunication technologies are changing every few months and it can be overwhelming for small and medium-sized businesses.

Yet SMEs have a distinct advantage over multinational companies in the digital environment – the ease of employing and adapting to new tech trends as long as a secure digital investment structure is in place.

What is digital transformation?

Digital transformation essentially describes advancements in real-time connectivity and technology – between individuals, businesses and society. Many companies are already continuously investing in digital transformation resources.

This includes cloud computing, faster and more powerful internet connectivity, virtual telecoms support, VOIP and collaboration software. As well as integrated mobile communications and software support.

Areas of digital transformation changing the digital telecoms industry include:

• Hyper-connectivity – the ability to communicate anytime and anywhere across multi-platforms (e.g. smartphones, VOIP, laptops). The Internet of Things (IoT) is also part of this
• Unlimited computing power available via multiple and diverse platforms
• Secure cybersecurity that minimises external and internal vulnerability
• Cloud-based phone systems and call management software

Is your business prepared for digital transformation?

If not, what areas should you be looking at to improve your digital infrastructure to ensure you stay ahead?

In a 2017 report by IDC InfoBrief, sponsored by SAP (Startup Europe Partnership), it was revealed that ‘customer acquisition, revenue growth and efficiency’ are top priorities for small and medium-sized businesses worldwide. Concerns of SBMs also include also how best to lower operational costs and find the best innovations to facilitate wider customer engagement.

In the Telecoms.com Annual Industry Survey 2017, 62% of respondents said that emerging technologies are critical to the industry’s long-term success. While 53.9% of companies responded that they would increase spending on software-defined networking in 2018.

Just over half of respondents in the survey said they would be investing more in cloud infrastructure and services. While 55% of respondents said, they’d be investing in the IoT, this was closely followed by investment in Big Data/Analytics 46.1% and AI (Artificial Intelligence) at 30%.

Why companies can get left behind in the digital transformation

There can be a lack a clear vision of future tech needs and not staying ahead of changing regulations. A lack of cohesive decision-making or a delay in decision-making, accessing capital and getting the right digital tools are all challenges.

When there is no clear vision or plan for the future, the chances to respond and remain competitive are weakened. It is much better to engage with and ride emerging trends rather than be overwhelmed by them, or worse still, ignore them.

How SMEs can thrive in a disruptive digital environment

Digital transformation is a disrupter across all business sectors, and particularly important for small and medium enterprises. Keeping up with required regulations and changes in digital tech is paramount.

With digital upgrades in place, your company can then focus on creating and nurturing new business relationships. The result? Increased value to clients and key stakeholders.

The success of early adopters in the sharing economy (Uber, Airbnb et al) is proof that collaboration is key. Dog eat dog is over. Pool your resources and collaborate. This digital revolution is just as much about human interaction as it is the blockchain and fibre optics.

So, to summarise the benefits of digital transformation:

• Business remains competitive – being agile and open to change is one area of business that will always be relevant
• Increases efficiency – switching to new, modern hardware and removing old depreciated technology means you can save valuable time
• Improves decision making – having access to data (e.g. calls, customer profiles) can feed into the wider business strategy
• Enhanced customer satisfaction – when all communication is streamlined, there’s little room for mistakes

How Datakom can help SME’s investment in digital upgrades

We specialise in telephone systems (premise-based & cloud-hosted), business broadband, leased lines, business mobiles, and cloud services. We also offer VOIP and powerful call management software. Our experts can advise on adoption of the latest telecom technology that’s best suited to your business.

Business phone system setup and support include:

• Cloud-based phone systems
• CRMs and managing customer data
• Managing call recordings
• Business WiFi
• Business broadband

Reliable broadband is essential to successful business. Superfast broadband is usually defined by the provision of downloads speed of 100 Mbit/s or more over any type of network connection.

Our team can help you find the best solution for your business. Whether you require local connections within your office or are seeking to invest in the latest data communications technology.

The future is mobile

The advances in smartphone tech are incredible, so it pays to invest in something will make your life easier. We can help you to operate and manage many of your systems via your smartphone – including icall suite. That means you have constant access to your team, and there’s no need to visit the office each time there’s an issue.

DataKom:mobile is our own mobile network. You have one provider but access to three different networks, resulting in complete UK network coverage.