With hybrid cloud deployments reaching maturity, attention is shifting towards extracting maximum value from data. Data-driven operations have become the next milestone for most organisations; by using data to unlock new insights, they can create new efficiencies, cost-savings and even new products.
The key to effective digital transformation is linking disparate systems to provide an end-to-end view. It is only through increased transparency that previously hidden insights can be revealed.
Sounds great – but how do you ‘do’ digital transformation? The specifics depend on your operating environment, but every project adheres to the same three-step process.
1. Analyse
With the explosion of SaaS and cloud services, your CTO will be only too aware of how your IT estate continues to sprawl. The more services you adopt, the harder it becomes to manage everything.
Unfortunately, this is the exact opposite of what your business needs. Beginning your journey towards data-driven operations will require a good understanding of what you have, how it works and the potential for joining data stores and platforms to simplify data sharing.
2. Optimise
Data-driven operations rely on simplifying insight generation; a complex IT landscape will make that goal unachievable. The second step of your strategy is to simplify the IT estate, consolidating platforms, data stores and operations wherever possible.
In addition to simplifying management and use, your business should also realise new cost savings because you’re no longer paying for redundant systems. Going beyond consolidation, optimisation will almost certainly require investment in new, future-ready storage to accelerate data access – and speed of decision-making.
3. Innovate
The final stage of your data-driven operations project is an ongoing process of continuous improvement. Using the insights generated from data and the systems themselves, you can implement incremental improvements that further accelerate the speed of business.
You can also continue to develop and extend the platform that facilitates data sharing, building bespoke add-ons and features to meet the specific needs of your organisation. Scalability will be crucial, allowing you to adapt as demands change.
Get the help you need
There is no universal solution to data-driven operations. Your business goals are unique – as is the blend of technologies and systems required to achieve them.
Understanding what these goals are is critical. A technology partner can help build processes to deliver anything – but if you don’t know what you want to achieve, you will never achieve a satisfactory project outcome.
As you evaluate potential technology partners, remember to ask if they can help define and solidify your data strategy. Oftentimes they will be able to bring industry best practice guidance and practical experience to the table, allowing you to build out a holistic, workable strategy for the future.
To learn more about digital transformation, and to understand how data storage technologies will influence your strategy, please give us a call.