We woke up one morning and everything has changed. Although we do our best to understand and adapt to the changing environment, there seems to be no other way to survive this crisis without having the right technological infrastructure. By recognizing the value of digital transformation in advance, some companies are a bit more fortunate in this process, but some are in a difficult situation because they have not taken a step yet.
The Transition of Work
In the people-centric business of ERP, the transition to working remotely has been among the most immediate. Where and how work is getting done has changed overnight. While businesses in every industry are coping with drastic changes and new challenges, the importance of engagement tools has never been more apparent. Adapting to these shifts requires solutions that enable leaders to connect, understand, and take action.
Enterprise software companies are relatively well-positioned to weather the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, with digital team processes already well-established. To some extent, many ERP customers are shielded from the worst effects of the shutdown, because much of the work can continue remotely. However, the customer base for each provider will be a big determinant in overall economic impact.
Businesses Should Have the Right Infrastructure for Remote Communication
Due to this unexpected situation we are experiencing, many businesses around the world had to close their offices. This situation showed how the working model from home, which has gradually become a trend in recent years, can actually become our reality.
Following the shutdown of offices globally, many CEOs and top management are turning to the internal communication tools to communicate with their employees and discuss plans for future operations. Different applications, among them email, have become the primary form of communication for uniting employees and setting standards for what might be the future of the workforce.
Keeping people connected and engaged will be one of the most important responsibilities leaders have. In these times of increasing uncertainty around COVID-19, remote work increasing exponentially, and maintaining employee wellbeing, this responsibility becomes even greater. Organizations and leaders that have a history of putting their people first – and the infrastructure to make it happen in today’s environment – will be the most successful at keeping them connected and engaged.
New Dynamics of Business
The way people consume technology in business will be different moving forward, as leadership will have adapted to the new ways of working and changing situations of the workforce. As the dynamics of business are shifting to ensure companies are taking care of employees, changes in how businesses go to market will be brought on by COVID-19 as well.
Businesses will be changing working practices both internally and in its interactions with customers, with customer engagement and quality of service at the forefront. The digital community will become the center for creating engagement, as online interactions and digital tools will become an essential part of delivering value.
COVID-19 Has Expedited the Timeline of Digital Transformation
Digital transformation, which was seen as the key to success before the pandemic, is now the only way to get through the crisis with minimal damage. Businesses, who have not taken the first step for digital transformation yet, are in a rush, while those who have started their digital transformation journey by acting more cautiously are trying to make their tools much more advanced.
The goal of digital transformation is to use technology to solve traditional problems, which means integrating technology into every area of business. Many companies do have digital transformation programs or initiatives in place or were in the process of establishing it, however, COVID-19 has forced enterprises to expedite this timeline.
The drastic change to this new way of working has made digital transformation essential. The companies that have adapted are able to manage new workplace practices and keep business processes running. Enterprises that did not understand its importance or begin to revamp their digital approach are now at risk of being disrupted and replaced. This new reality will force all business to rethink these initiatives and implement a transformation, so they are able to continue service and provide value to customers.
