If your enterprise is about to undertake a digital transformation (Dx) project, you should understand that these initiatives require a focus on more than the technology itself. To succeed with a digital transformation strategy, the business must focus on business processes, day-to-day activities and tasks, and the culture within the organization, so that the environment is prepared to support all the changes you will make within the technology infrastructure. 

Of course, Dx does require a focus on virtual technologies, computing environments, and data storage, such as computing, networks, hardware, software products, and applications, as well as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and mobile applications used by team members, customers, and stakeholders. In short, today’s technology reach goes far beyond the walls of the enterprise and, when you consider how your team, customers, suppliers, and stakeholders use or connect to your technology, you know you must include all of these components in your Dx strategy. 

Here are just a few of the components of the technology infrastructure you will need to consider in your digital transformation strategy:

Public, Private, and Hybrid Cloud Platforms: Data resides in public, private, and hybrid cloud platforms and, as your workflow and business processes are assessed, you will need to include access to and security for these cloud environs, as well as any integration and streamlining your team (or your IT consulting partner) must include in the plan.

Data Warehouses, Data Hubs, Data Lakes: Data integration can help you streamline activities and make information more accessible. Your data warehouses and repositories must be included in your assessment with appropriate user access controls and data migration and integration strategies. 

Hardware, Servers, Network: Any and all of these components can impact the success of your digital transformation project. Your technology assessment must review these aspects of your infrastructure and determine whether you will require upgrades, streamlining, or expansion. 

Software Applications and Products (Legacy, Best-of-Breed, ERP, etc.): When you undertake a digital transformation project, it is a good time to evaluate the software products and apps your team and stakeholders are using and determine whether any of these are ready for upgrade or replacement. Organizations change over time and a familiar software product or app may be popular with users, but perhaps one or more of these is no longer sufficient to meet your requirements. As part of your digital transformation strategy, you should take a hard look at the appropriateness of these tools and plan for replacement, upgrade, or changes. 

Mobile Applications: Any digital transformation strategic initiative must accommodate mobile apps used by business users, suppliers, contract workers, or other stakeholders. Today’s mobile apps are important to workflow and business processes and must be included in user access, integration, compatibility, and security considerations. 

IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS Platforms: Your business may have reduced its dependence on on-premises, licensed products and services, and any Dx initiative must accommodate these new environmental dependencies. 

These are just a few of the technology considerations you will need to include in your digital transformation (Dx) strategies. Perform a thorough and complete assessment of tools, software, networks, and other components of your business technology that may be localized or regional or limited to one business unit. Also, be sure your data transformation (Dx) strategy encompasses other aspects of your business environment like enterprise culture. Don’t leave your users or stakeholders behind!