The business landscape is transforming rapidly, and the customer experience is being reinvented. Through digital transformation, customers now expect fast and personalised responses, easily navigated services, and digital channels.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the introduction of new technologies into businesses. One example of an industry who has benefited from digital transformation during the pandemic is the Manufacturing Industry. By implementing smart technologies, manufacturers can increase productivity and improve inefficiencies. Through digitisation, the manufacturing industry can increase performance whilst also reducing overhead and operating costs. During the pandemic, those businesses with the strongest reaction to the disruption will have the better future outcome. The introduction of smart technologies will put companies a step ahead of their competitors and increase their sustainability.

Here are 4 ways digital transformation is changing the way we work:

1) Remote working

The covid-19 pandemic forced businesses to begin working remotely to obey social distancing guidelines. Many businesses struggled to prepare for remote working as they didn’t have the technology in place to shift their teams to virtual environments. This resulted in businesses investing in services and infrastructure that supports remote working i.e., data security. Platforms like Obbi, bring huge benefits to remote working as data is scored securely and together, and can be accessed by all staff members. Remote working creates numerous benefits including, a better work-life balance, cost savings from commuting, as well as increased inclusivity as companies are not limited to specific locations.

2) Communication (Increased Collaboration)

Digital transformation encourages a digital culture within a workplace. Strong communication is key between all departments for a successful switch to digital tools as not all employees will embrace change. Collaboration platforms such as MS teams make it extremely easy for employees to communicate with each other.

With a new shared goal of adopting new technologies, employee bonds strengthen through learning from each other. Through enhanced engagement and improved communication, employees feel empowered to speak up and contribute confidently.

3) Data-driven customer insights

Digital transformation allows for data collection through data analytic tools. These tools allow businesses to collect and analyse customer data which produces actionable insights, leading to increased profits. Through understanding data, your business can become more customer-centric through structured (personal customer information) and unstructured data (social media metrics). It allows for more personalised and relevant content to be provided to the customer, resulting in a better customer experience.

4) Increased productivity (include increase profits/ improved employee skills)

By investing in technological tools, workflow can be streamlined to increase workplace productivity. The automation of manual tasks such as data entry will save time and effort which can be reallocated to other areas of the business. On the other hand, the introduction of a digitised workplace enables employees to learn new skills to keep up with the changing environment. An increased skill set will improve the overall quality of work and efficiency within production.

As digital transformation increases efficiency and productivity within a business, it is no surprise that this will result in increased profitability. Transforming your business digitally will also be beneficial in the long-term as your business will be able to easily adapt to future disruptions similar to the covid-19 pandemic.