Digital transformation and digitalisation
Digital signatures, accounting software, surveillance cameras, big data; these are just a few examples of digital services that businesses can use to streamline or boost their work processes. You probably already use quite a few digital services, such as an automated HRM administration system, barcoding for your inventory, or digital invoices. What are your options, what are the benefits, and which regulations are in place to avoid misuse (or even abuse)? And who can you turn to for support and help?
Find the right supplier
Over the past 15 years, there has been a big increase in the number of companies specialising in software to help you with any given business process. Many of the players in any given field, be it CRM, bookkeeping, or barcode warehousing, are experienced specialists, who can digitise your business processes. But there are also still unreliable companies out there, that will make big promises but fail to deliver. To find out who to trust and who to avoid, gather data:
- Ask around in your network. Professional acquaintances, friends, and relatives may have experiences with the company you are considering;
- Check the KVK Business Register to find out how long the company has been in business, and how well it is doing;
- Go to trade shows where several suppliers of the service you are looking for are present; speak to the salespeople, attend presentations, and don’t be afraid to ask exactly what you need to know;
- Use search engines to find out as much as you can about the company and the product you’re considering, to find out if it suits your needs;
- Ask several companies for an offer. Compare the offers, list the main pluses and minuses of every supplier, and ask any questions you have.
Digitise your business processes
Digitising your business processes can be a step forward in your business management, but only if you have got your business processes in order. Especially if you want to buy an ERP system, your departments will have to be ready for changes. ERP, or Enterprise Resource Planning software, incorporates several of your business processes, for instance, your warehousing, purchasing, and sales. Before you decide to start using ERP software, you should think carefully about how it affects your operations. What does the new method of working mean for the departments in which it will be used? Which departments that were working independently will now have to collaborate (more) closely? Do not underestimate this – be sure to have a plan that involves testing and training for your employees.
Trends in digital transformation
There are several trends in the digitalisation process, such as cybersecurity and smart industry. It helps to know what these terms mean, and how they might relate to your business process.
Cybersecurity is relevant to every company that has dealings online. It poses a real threat, and continues to grow. You cannot ignore it. Is your business protected against cybercrime and hackers? It takes more than a spam filter and a virus scanner to protect yourself. More about cyber security:
- Dutch Cyber Security Council (CSR)
- Cyberveilig Nederland (in Dutch)
- Factsheet Digital Trust Center (towards the bottom of the page)
Working in the cloud is convenient, because it enables you and your employees (and, if you want, your clients) to access your services anytime, anywhere. But there are risks involved with online services, server downtime being a major one. And it is important to realise that the information you store in the cloud is actually stored on one or multiple physical servers. By using the information, you are bound by the laws pertaining to digital information in the country where the servers are located. Will working in the cloud work for you? Consider this carefully, and choose which business services to use online and which to keep strictly to yourself. More about working in the cloud:
- There are many online resources about cloud computing. Computer magazines are usually reliable sources.
Blockchain was originally invented to secure transactions conducted in bitcoin, but has since evolved into a tool that can be used to compile sales and usage data of, for instance, online music services. The cutting up of data into blocks makes the system less sensitive to misuse, but despite the potential, few businesses so far use blockchain as part of their core processes. This in itself means that, for small and medium-sized businesses at least, blockchain remains an interesting method of working, but not one to immediately adopt. More about blockchain: Dutch Blockchain Coalition (in Dutch).
Smart industry is a container term for all the ways in which you can digitalise production processes. See the NL Digital website (in Dutch).
Big data is the term used for the increasing amount of data that can be harvested and stored – products about clients, for instance, and their behaviour. If you run a sales operation, chances are you store information about your clients. Information you need to process and conduct transactions, but also information on their interests, their sales history, and so on. Thanks to the growing ability to process large amounts of data, it is increasingly possible to aggregate customer-specific information into anonymised and generalised patterns. This is called big data, and it can enable you to streamline your sales operations. Big data is also used in scientific research, for instance for finding treatments for diseases, and for social and economic research. The list of possibilities is endless, if the data quality is good. More information on big data: Commit 2 Data
Digitalisation and privacy
If you digitise (one of your) business processes that involve personal (customer or employee) data, you must make sure that you comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our step-by-step guide can help you on your way. Rules and regulations also apply to the use of camera devices, such as drones and CCTV cameras.
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Questions relating to this article?
Please contact the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, KVK