The Digital revolution has become known as the Industrial revolution of our time and its ramifications are far reaching and growing day by day. The way we work has been revolutionised and people are now connected through technology 24/7, covering both their personal and professional lives.
The pace at which Information technology is evolving is giving rise to ever more numerous business opportunities – both in the way we apply this technology to solve old problems, to new processes and procedures that can be implemented to maximise operational efficiencies.
Organisations are using digital technology to simplify business activities and customer interactions, leading to increased profitability, growth in market share, adding customer value and reducing costs. The challenge is now, how to choose the right technology and IT partnerships to deliver on these operational goals – and which opportunities should be prioritised.
Cloud computing is becoming increasingly popular in the industry. As corporate data continues to grow at alarming rates, it is imperative that organisations maintain a capability to both store and manage their data and Cloud computing solutions offer businesses this ability. Additionally, Cloud can support an organisation’s transition from traditional, manual-based data processes into automated workflows that will liberate your IT staff and general employees from daily routine activities.
Having effective marketing channels to manage customer interactions is one of several critical activities an organisation must deal with. Cloud solutions have been widely adopted for e-commerce and CRM activities. Additionally, being Cloud-based, these services can be accessed anywhere from mobile devices, supporting everyone from entrepreneurs to employees and customers.
Many industries are being impacted by the digital revolution. In the Finance sector, the shift was to online banking from operating traditional bank branches. Now – with mobile payment technologies growing in popularity with consumers, the most successful banks are those that have the most advanced mobile payment capabilities. Cloud is an integral part of these new services.
In the new era for retail, Cloud computing changes the game. Shopper behaviour demands a seamless customer experience. Stores can be changed into virtual showrooms. Customer service and online purchasing are being reinvented to deliver wonderful, new customer experiences. Due to the increasing use of smartphones, shoppers are connected and a strong digital strategy is essential for those companies wishing to take advantage of the latest opportunities. Customers now expect personalised experiences wherever they shop, undertaking their activities wherever and whenever they like, such as seeking reviews or references, comparing products, checking stock availability and even making the final purchase. With customers able to manage all these activities on the move, organisations have to connect all processes automatically to deliver the seamless shopping experience and Cloud is the best solution to enable this.
Marketing departments are able to see quickly and simply how products are performing in market enabling decisions to be made quickly, covering everything from campaign promotions to pricing. Data analytics capabilities are also offering never-before-seen insights into product usage, again enabling decisions to be made quickly based on these insights.
In the media industry, newspapers are rapidly transitioning to becoming online only, as the popularity of online sites – with their regularly updated content – become both more convenient and timely. Online operations also offer greater advantages for advertisers, who largely fund the operations of publications and broadcasters, giving them both quick and more targeted solutions and data-rich insights.
The Finance sector is also experimenting with branchless services, implemented through Cloud operations. Banks can expand facilities without needing to create a new physical branch. This is expected to be highly successful in Indonesia, given the geographical conditions and extent of territory. These branchless services will be increasingly attractive to customers familiar with mobile devices, such as tablet computers and smartphones. Customers benefit through the ease and speed of transactions with a broad variety of service options. The banks reap the benefits of transaction growth, ease of development of a robust banking network and reduced costs and efficiency benefits.
Lastly, effective service delivery is perhaps the most crucial part of any successful organisation. Cloud can enable more effective processes to be deployed, delivered seamlessly and effectively with broader features and enhanced security. With all these benefits, there is every reason to consider Cloud computing for your business now and give yourself a competitive advantage over your competition.
(April, 2016)