Automation is the only way for organisations to accelerate their digital transformation by freeing IT teams of repetitive tasks so that they are able to focus on driving transformative projects. IT teams implementing new enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, for instance, often cannot cope with the myriad other tasks which are going on in the business at the same time.
Imagine if we are able to automate all these tasks, then we can free IT from countless hours of support and, at the same time, enable them to implement the new ERP without pressure and to do a proper job. The alternative solution is to keep using people, which is insane.
Is There A Distinction Between Digital Transformation And Automation?
Although the terms ‘automation’ and ‘digital transformation’ are often used interchangeably, they have very various meanings. Automation involves applying technology in order to make processes run themselves, making those processes more efficient as well as increasing transparency and reporting abilities. In short, automation is a tool to achieve end, and the anticipated end is digital transformation.
Gartner argues that digital transformation necessitates not only making existing processes more efficient, however creating or unlocking new value for customers. It’s true that customer expectations are continually evolving apace with emerging technologies, and that organisations are largely adopting digital transformation in an effort to continue to meet those expectations.
However, this is a rather limited view of digital transformation, as it excludes any benefits of digital transformation which don’t directly benefit the customer, such as altering company culture by giving employees increased job satisfaction by allowing them to focus on more interesting projects as opposed to repetitive administrative tasks.
